Hurricane Watch: Cat 3 Hurricane Expected to Hit Florida Panhandle in Three Days
What's Happening
If you live in the Florida Panhandle, now is the time to prepare. This morning, the National Hurricane Center upgraded a developing depression off the coast of Florida to Tropical Storm Danielle. At 8am, the National Weather Service designated Danielle a Category 3 hurricane. Danielle is currently 100 miles southwest of Apalachicola and moving at 14 miles per hour. At this rate, Danielle is projected to make landfall on the Florida coast by Thursday evening.
According to the Saffir-Simpson scale, Category 3 hurricanes are considered "major" hurricanes. They have sustained wind speeds of 111-129 miles per hour. Category 3 hurricanes are capable of causing devastating damage, including damage to homes and businesses, uprooted trees, downed power lines, and flooded roads.
Florida Governor Ron Desantis is urging residents to start preparing. "Do not wait until the last minute," he said. "Now is the time."
What to Do
If you live in the Florida Panhandle, there are several things you can do to prepare for Hurricane Danielle.
- Secure your home by boarding up windows, doors, and any other openings.
- Gather food, water, and other emergency supplies for at least 3 days.
- Fill up your gas tank, and withdraw cash since power outages may hit.
- If you live in a low-lying area, evacuate to higher ground.
- Stay informed by listening to local news and weather updates.
For more information about hurricane preparedness, visit the National Hurricane Center website.
Additional Resources
- National Weather Service
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- American Red Cross
