AccuWeather meteorologists are warning residents and businesses across the Florida Peninsula to brace for heavy rainfall and gusty winds starting Sunday as a tropical system develops in the Bay of Campeche and the southern Gulf of Mexico.
This storm, which is expected to organize into a named tropical storm or even a hurricane, could bring significant rainfall to already vulnerable areas following Hurricane Helene.
“I am convinced this will organize into a named tropical storm, if not a hurricane,” warned AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno. “Even if it only develops into a tropical depression, AccuWeather expert meteorologists are confident that some places in southwest Florida will see 8 to 12 inches of rain.”
Read: Louisiana Hauler Arrested In Florida For Price Gouging, Illegal Dumping In Wake Of Hurricane Helene
A wide swath of central and southern Florida is forecast to receive 4 to 8 inches of rain from Sunday through Wednesday, with the heaviest rain expected in the southwestern portion of the state. This new weather threat comes just after Hurricane Helene, with some overlap in the rainfall forecast along the I-4 corridor from Tampa to Orlando.
Urban and River Flooding Concerns AccuWeather Flood Expert Alex Sosnowski explained that while Florida’s natural environment is designed to handle heavy rain, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left the state more vulnerable. “Many urban areas with significant pavement and concrete will struggle to drain the high volume of water quickly, leading to urban flooding concerns,” Sosnowski said.
In addition to potential urban flooding, residents near rivers prone to flooding, including the Imperial River, Peace River, and St. Johns River, should remain vigilant as river levels rise due to prolonged rainfall.
Read: Hillsborough County Prepares For Potential Heavy Rain With Sandbag Sites
Hurricane Kirk and Additional Tropical Activity AccuWeather meteorologists are also monitoring two hurricanes in the Atlantic: Hurricane Kirk, expected to bring rough surf and rip currents along the southeastern U.S. coast, and Hurricane Leslie, which poses no immediate threat to the U.S. but may impact transatlantic shipping.
Recovery Efforts Continue in Southern Appalachians Meanwhile, dry weather is forecast for the southern Appalachians, aiding recovery and relief efforts after Hurricane Helene devastated the region with historic flooding. AccuWeather has updated its estimate of the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Helene to between $225 billion and $250 billion, making it one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.
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