Tropical Storm Emily triggers state of emergency in Florida
Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency in 31 counties as Tropical Storm Emily hit Florida’s west coast. The order comes as the tropical depression was upgraded to a tropical storm by the National Hurricane Center.
“At this time, there are no evacuation orders in effect,” Scott said in a statement released on Monday, after the storm made landfall. “The Florida National Guard stands ready to assist with any storm-related impacts.”
Tropical Storm #Emily forms early this Monday morning west of #TampaBay and #StPetersburg. Heavy rain from Tampa to #FortMyers today. #flwxpic.twitter.com/zqucxUoyPy
— Brian LaMarre (@blamarre) July 31, 2017
A state of emergency order gives the state more flexibility to work with local government to keep people safe.
Tropical Storm #Emily made landfall at Anna Maria Island at 10:45 a.m. EDT. Primary threat is the heavy rain. @NOAAhttps://t.co/FGBUttXaj8pic.twitter.com/beIdPS79Fo
— Natl Hurricane Ctr (@NWSNHC) July 31, 2017
Emily is expected to move across the Florida peninsula on Monday, after traveling from the Gulf of Mexico, the governor said.
Huge truck spray CLOBBERS me in St. Pete Beach as Tropical Storm #Emily dumps heavy rain on most of Sun Coast. We're live on @weatherchannelpic.twitter.com/VCOlSB93HI
— Mike Seidel (@mikeseidel) July 31, 2017
The storm is expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain and wind to central and southern Florida. Emily is forecast to move inland over the west-central Florida peninsula later Monday and across central Florida overnight, and weaken to a tropical depression as it does so.
Flooding on Jefferson Street on Fort Myers Beach from tropical storm #Emilypic.twitter.com/g6iocCZaml
— Malcolm Johnson (@Malcolmsmedia) July 31, 2017
On Monday morning, strong winds ripped off the roof of the Outrigger Hotel in Fort Myers, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, as Emily made landfall.
Tropical Storm #Emily's winds ripped the roof off the Outrigger resort in Fort Myers Beach. No one hurt. @WPTVpic.twitter.com/qqnSfzASQC
— Chris Stewart (@CStewartWPTV) July 31, 2017
Tropical Storm #Emily brought this roof down at the Outrigger hotel on Fort Myers Beach @Fox4Nowpic.twitter.com/9FSTL1JmWM
— Malcolm Johnson (@Malcolmsmedia) July 31, 2017
The National Hurricane Center upgraded the tropical depression after wind speeds hit 45mph. A tropical depression becomes a tropical storm when its winds hit between 39mph and 73mph. To become a hurricane, wind speeds have to be at least 74mph.
Emily will emerge along the east coast of Florida on Tuesday and move back out to sea, according to AccuWeather.
