Florida Braces for Tropical Depression Nine as Humberto Hits Category 5

URGENT UPDATE: Tropical Depression Nine is rapidly organizing north of Cuba and is expected to impact the east coast of Central Florida within 48 hours. According to the 11 PM advisory from the National Hurricane Center, the depression currently has winds of 35 mph and is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm early Sunday.

Coastal areas of Volusia and Brevard Counties are under Tropical Storm Watches, indicating that sustained winds of 39 mph or greater could arrive soon. The latest forecast suggests that the system will move across the Bahamas on Sunday and stay east of Florida. However, the trajectory of this storm remains critical as it could shift.

Local impacts are anticipated, particularly for coastal regions. Late Sunday into Sunday night, residents may experience increased wave activity and marine hazards, with outer rain bands and gusty winds beginning to affect coastal Brevard County. The most significant impacts are expected Monday during daytime hours, when the system is predicted to pass closest to Central Florida.

As the storm lifts northward, it is expected to move away from the region by Monday night into early Tuesday. However, officials warn that shifts in the storm’s path or intensity could change the expected impacts dramatically. The threat of a landfall along the southeastern United States is decreasing, with predictions indicating that the system may stall and eventually drift eastward, away from the U.S. by late next week.

Meanwhile, in the open Atlantic, Hurricane Humberto has intensified into a powerful Category 5 hurricane, with winds reaching 160 mph. This makes Humberto one of the most formidable storms of the year. Forecasters indicate that Humberto will maintain its major hurricane status over the coming days, with potential implications for Bermuda by mid-next week.

Stay tuned to Severe Weather Center 9 for continuous updates on both Tropical Depression Nine and Hurricane Humberto as developments unfold. Local residents are encouraged to prepare for possible weather impacts and to stay informed through reliable news sources.

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