Tropical-storm-like system slams Florida with coastal flooding, high winds, heavy rain
Florida will dry out from south to north on Sunday as the storm pushes up the Eastern Seaboard, moving the wind, rain and flooding threats to the mid-Atlantic and eventually the Northeast.
Tropical-storm-like system slams Florida with coastal flooding, high winds, heavy rain
Florida was hit by a powerful system on Saturday that resembled a tropical storm, slamming the Sunshine State with coastal flooding, high winds and heavy rain.
MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida was hit by a powerful system on Saturday that resembled a tropical storm, slamming the Sunshine State with coastal flooding, high winds and heavy rain. Fortunately, there were no reports of widespread damage.
The FOX Forecast Center said an area of low pressure rapidly organized as it approached the state, creating wind gusts to around 60 mph and the threat of severe weather.
Wind Advisories remain posted Sunday along the Atlantic coast of Florida. Wind gusts between 35 and 45 mph are possible throughout the day.
The gusty winds caused more than 25,000 power outages during the height of the storm, a threat that Florida Power & Light, the state's largest utility provider, said it was prepared for.
A top concern of emergency managers was beach erosion and coastal flooding, especially in coastal communities impacted by Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole.
The state activated what it calls the Florida State Guard to respond to any potential impacts.
Holiday decorations in Fort Lauderdale were no match for Mother Nature. Before the worst of the weather arrived, decorations were strewn about in the area of the wharf.
Several public Christmas events were canceled throughout the Florida Peninsula as communities prepared for the worst and hoped for the best.
CHRISTMAS LAWN DECORATIONS ARE SOMETIMES NO MATCH FOR MOTHER NATURE
Coastal conditions slow to improve
Flooding wasn't the only risk created by the powerful system. High Surf Advisories run along the entire Atlantic coastline in Florida and even extend into coastal communities in Georgia.
The National Weather Service office in Melbourne, Florida, warned of waves that could reach as high at 13 feet crashing against the shore, which could lead to significant beach erosion and coastal flooding.
Florida will dry out from south to north on Sunday as the storm pushes up the Eastern Seaboard, moving the wind, rain and flooding threats to the mid-Atlantic and eventually the Northeast.