115-Degree FL Heat Index Complicates Debby Cleanup

FLORIDA — Flood waters continue to besiege Floridians Thursday, days after Tropical Storm Debby moved out of the state. As recovery efforts continue, some parts of the state could see heat index values as high as 115 degrees, with roughly 7,100 utility customers still without power.

Debby made landfall Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane in the Big Bend area after its outer bands pummeled much of Florida’s west coast with heavy rains Sunday into Monday.

As of Thursday morning, the storm is stalled over the Carolinas and will bring significant rains into the Mid-Atlantic states and the Northeast through Saturday morning as it moves north, the National Hurricane Center said.

Waters continue to rise in some rivers and springs across north Florida, including the Suwannee and Santa Fe, according to a map from the National Water Prediction Service.

At least seven people have died due to the storm, five of them in traffic accidents or from fallen trees. The sixth death involved a 48-year-old man in Gulfport, whose body was recovered after his anchored sailboat partially sank. And the most recent victim died in a tornado spawned by the storm in North Carolina Thursday.

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Some areas have implemented a curfew, including from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Suwannee County.

“Your safety is our top priority and due to rising waters and deteriorating road conditions the roadways are not safe to travel at night. Please remain indoors and avoid non-essential travel during these hours,” the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Facebook post.

Further south, flooding continues in Sarasota and Manatee counties, especially along the Myakka River.

Parts of the river, from north to south, will experience elevated flood levels between Thursday and Saturday, according to a Sarasota County news release. Those living in the area should take precautions.

A flood warning is issued for the area by the National Weather Service until the water recedes. Areas immediately surrounding the river, especially low-lying areas, may experience up to two feet of flooding between Thursday and Saturday.

In the Tampa Bay area, NWS also extended flood warnings for areas of the Hillsborough River, Alafia River and Little Manatee River in Hillsborough County, Cypress Creek and Anclote River in Pasco County, Horse Creek in DeSoto County, Manatee River at Rye Bridge in Manatee County.

Heat advisories are in place in communities across the state. On Florida’s west coast, temperatures could feel as high as 112 degrees in Levy County, 110 degrees in Hillsborough County and 107 degrees in Sarasota and Manatee counties, according to the NWS.

Parts of north Florida could see heat index values as high as 115 degrees.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Florida Department of Emergency Management pumped more than 104 million gallons of flood waters from communities affected by the storm throughout the state, according to a news release from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.

The FDEM also distributed more than 1.6 million bottles of water, nearly 1.1 million shelf-stable meals, more than 17,000 tarps, nearly 11,000 hygiene kits, 156,000 sandbags, nearly 1,000 clean-up kits and 120 cots.

The Florida National Guard mobilized up to 3,500 guardsmen to assist with recovery efforts and the Florida State Guard activated more than 100 soldiers.

Those affected by flooding and other storm damage can request assistance and resources, including food, household goods, home repairs, and more, through Hope Florida by filling out this form.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who lost food because of Debby can apply for food assistance replacement online here.

Federal funds are also available through FEMA. Residents and business owners can apply for disaster assistance here.

Here’s the latest forecast for the Tampa Bay area from NWS:

• Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1 and 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 106. West southwest wind 9 to 11 mph.
• Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 80. South southwest wind around 7 mph.
• Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 106. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday Night: Scattered thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 79. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
• Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
• Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
• Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
• Sunday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.