Meteorologists warn of Hurricane Hermine’s ‘life-threatening’ storm surge

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FORT MYERS, Fla. — Hermine continues to strengthen ahead of making landfall, according to a 9 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane, which reached maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, is expected to make landfall between midnight and 2 a.m. Friday.

Meteorologists warned of a ‘life-threatening’ storm surge that could reach heights of nine feet in coastal areas in the 9 p.m. advisory. The region most in danger is between Indian Pass to Longboat Key, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline,” the advisory said.

In addition, Hurricane Hermine could dump an average of 5 to 10 inches of rain in parts of northwest Florida and southern Georgia, according to meteorologists. Some areas could see a maximum of 15 inches. Tornadoes are also possible.

The National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to a Category 1 hurricane shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Englewood and points northward, with a Hurricane Warning in effect for the northern Florida areas in the direct path of the storm.

Hermine had winds of 75 mph and was moving north-northeast at 14 mph as of the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. update. It’s forecast to become the first hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Wilma in 2005.

Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 51 Florida counties in the path of the system Wednesday, including Manatee and Sarasota counties. Scott ordered the closure of all state offices in Sarasota and 50 other counties in the path of Hermine on Thursday. State officials did not say when the officers would reopen.

Officials closed the Sunshine Skyway bridge over Tampa Bay shortly before 1 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Scott called it a “life-threatening situation” for those in the projected landfall area and said 6,000 National Guardsmen are ready to mobilize after the storm passes, according to The Associated Press, but effects in Southwest Florida are expected to be relatively minimal. Areas along the coast can expect to see an additional inch or two of rain, with between a quarter-inch and an inch possible for inland areas.

It’ll be breezy, with winds out of the south at 15-20 mph and gusts of between 25 and 30 mph. Tides will be 1 to 3 feet above average. A low chance of severe storms exists, with an isolated tornado not out of the question.

The storm is expected to continue on a generally northeasterly track and clear out of Florida by the weekend.

Visit WINK News Hurricane Central for continued updates and to make sure you have what you need to be prepared for the effects of any tropical system.

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