Tropical Storm Debby Expected To Strengthen Into Hurricane Impacting Florida Travel

06.08.2024 - 19:37 / travelpulse.com / Ron Desantis / Rich Thomaselli

UPDATE: August 4, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. ET

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has announced that Tropical Storm Debby is projected to rapidly develop into a hurricane by midday on Monday before making landfall on the Big Bend region of Florida's Gulf Coast. The NHC has warned of life-threatening ocean surges and potentially catastrophic rainfall.

According to the hurricane center, the storm could bring ocean surges up to 10 feet (3 meters) in some areas. As Debby gradually moves northward during the week, it is expected to deliver "potentially historic rainfall" ranging from 10 to 20 inches and cause severe flooding in Georgia and South Carolina.  

"This is going to be the story of this storm," said Jamie Rhome, the deputy director of the hurricane center. "Its slow motion is going to dump historic amounts of rainfall - potentially over 20 inches. You're talking about catastrophic flooding."

In anticipation of Debby's impact, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called up 3,000 National Guard troops and placed most of Florida's cities and counties under emergency orders. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in parts of the Gulf Coast counties of Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Levy and Wakulla.

According to Reuters, DeSantis has also prepared more than 17,000 linemen and other electric workers to restore power once the storm has passed. The governors of Georgia and South Carolina have also declared states of emergency ahead of the storm, preparing for the significant rainfall and potential flooding.

UPDATE: August 4, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. ET

As Tropical Storm Debby draws closer to Florida, the U.S. faces significant travel disruptions. The storm, which is expected to escalate into a hurricane by Monday, has already led to widespread flight cancellations and delays.

As of 4:00 p.m. ET, more than 2,200 flights traveling within, into or out of the U.S. had been canceled on Sunday, while the number of delays exceeded 5,200, according to flight tracking site FlightAware. Such major airlines as American Airlines and JetBlue, which canceled 16 and 17 percent of their respective schedules, were the most heavily impacted.

To accommodate affected passengers, several major carriers are offering weather-related waivers, allowing changes without penalties. These include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines, according to USA Today. 

The storm has also affected cruise itineraries. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Elation adjusted its schedule, returning to Jacksonville on Sunday instead of Monday. The ship had embarked on a Bahamas cruise from Jacksonville on Thursday. 

Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas altered its plans as well,