Florida Braces for Debby as It Strengthens Into Category 1 Hurricane

‘Execute your plan,’ the governor said. ‘If you have been evacuated, [or] if you have been ordered to evacuate by your local officials, please heed that call.’

NOAA Satellite imagery of Hurricane Debby moving toward Florida late Aug. 4, 2024. Screenshot via The Epoch Times/CIRA/RAMMB

TAMPA, Fla.—Tropical Storm Debby has been upgraded to a Category 1 strength hurricane as it nears landfall along the northeastern Gulf coast, according to the 11 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The upgrade was made as maximum sustained winds exceeded 74 mph.