Tropical Storm Hermine Weakens Over Georgia; Heads to South Carolina Next

TAMPA, FL — Tropical Storm Hermine's Friday morning trek across Georgia after her deadly arrival as a hurricane in Florida had left her weakened. As of 11 a.m., forecasters at the National Weather Service said she was packing sustained winds of only 50 mph, significantly down from the 80 mph winds clocked on her arrival in Florida.

Then Hurricane Hermine slammed into Florida’s Big Bend area early Friday morning, leaving widespread flooding and damage in her wake all along the state’s Gulf Coast. Flooding was reported from the Tampa Bay area well north into the strike zone near St. Marks. More than 250,000 people were without power after the storm's trek through the state.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Hermine is to blame for at least one death. A man, believed to be homeless, was found dead in Ocala. Marion County deputies say a tree fell on a tent in a homeless camp and do not suspect foul play, several media outlets have reported.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, now-Tropical Storm Hermine was located about 55 miles west-southwest of Savannah, Georgia. The storm's 50 mph winds showed a significant decrease from the 60 mph winds reported at 8 a.m. Friday. Hermine was moving northeast at 18 mph, hurricane center forecaster said.

On its current path, Tropical Storm Hermine is expected to move through Georgia and South Carolina on Friday while making entry in North Carolina before the day is out. From there, the storm is expected to move into the Atlantic Ocean and take a path that could bring it into contact with Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey late in the weekend and early next week.

As Hermine continues to move across Georgia and the Carolinas, forecasters say little change in strength is expected through Saturday morning. Strengthening is forecast once Hermine's center moves offshore Saturday afternoon.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, Hermine’s tropical storm-force winds were extending outward for up to 175 miles.

Tropical storm warnings and watches are in effect for a number of areas from Florida’s Gulf Coast to points along the east coast. Tropical storm watches mean tropical storm conditions are possible within the specified area. Tropical storm warnings mean tropical storm conditions are expected in the specified area. The watches and warnings active as of 11 a.m. Friday are as follows:

Tropical Storm Warnings

• Nassau Sound to south of Fenwick Island
• Pamlico and Albemarle sounds
• Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point southward
• Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island eastward

Tropical Storm Watches

• Fenwick Island to west of Watch Hill
• Southern Delaware Bay

Images courtesy of the National Hurricane Center