As of 8 p.m. on Sunday, Tropical Storm Debby continues to strengthen and is expected to reach hurricane status overnight. The storm has winds sustained at 70 mph and is tracking north at 12 mph.
As the storm continues to move further into the warm Gulf of Mexico, strengthening is projected. The latest forecast projects Debby to become a Category 1 Hurricane by Monday with winds of 85 mph as it moves into the Big Bend region.
WHAT TO KNOW : NBC2 First Alert Hurricane Guide
Here in Southwest Florida, the worst of the storm is behind us as Debby is pulling further to the north. As of 8 o'clock this evening, the tornado watch for Southwest Florida has expired.
Although the bulk of the strongest part of the system is off to our north, we will continue to see onshore winds and a few feeder bands tonight and into tomorrow.
The threat of severe weather with these bands is much less than what we experienced today, but it is always important to have a way to receive alerts.
Download the free NBC2 News app and enable weather alerts for real-time alerts if a warning is issued for your location. You can also check the NBC2 Weather Alerts page.
Flooding
With rain bands calming down tonight we are seeing some of that water recede. However, we have seen some impressive rain totals ranging on average 4-6 inches along the coast with some isolated areas 7+ inches.
In the coming days, excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Any additional rain can cause a quick concern so keep an eye out for additional flooding.
Flood Watch: Lee, Charlotte, and Desoto Counties through 8 p.m. Monday
Areal Flood Warning: Collier County through 8 a.m. Monday
Be sure to check back with the forecast frequently and count on the NBC 2 Hurricane Tracking Team to keep you informed on-air and online.
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