NEWS: Storm System Expected To Strengthen, Experts Warn of Flash Flooding in Florida

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Hurricane season can make a pretty big impact on your Disney World trip, and experts have predicted that the 2024 hurricane season is going to be worse than previous years, with a “potentially explosive” series of storms.

Rainy day in Magic Kingdom

We’ve been tracking the latest disturbance in the Atlantic which is slowly making its way through the Caribbean and toward Florida, causing a state of emergency declaration in the Sunshine State. Here are the latest updates.

STORM UPDATES

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The latest updates from the National Hurricane Center show storm 97L potentially strengthening as it passes over Cuba and further into the Gulf of Mexico.

©National Hurricane Center

While still a tropical wave, the storm is producing showers and thunderstorms over eaters Cuba, Hispañola, and much of the rest of the Caribbean. The 8AM update indicates the wave will move over Cuba throughout the day on Friday and will emerge over the Straits of Florida late tonight or Saturday. A tropical depression is likely to form this weekend, with tropical storm watches potentially going into effect today in Florida.

Heavy rains may cause flash flooding across Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas through the weekend. Right now, the formation chance over 48 hours is medium at 60%, while the chance of formation over the next seven days is high at 90%. Brian Shields, a meteorologist with WFTV, predicts the storm will strengthen into Tropical Storm Debby in the Gulf on Saturday.

DEBBY Forming Soon…
Good Morning,
RIGHT NOW: The tropical disturbance is bringing very heavy rain to Cuba and parts of The Bahamas. It will move across Cuba today.
WHAT NEXT: Tomorrow (Saturday), it will strengthen into Tropical Storm Debby in the Gulf of Mexico. (…) pic.twitter.com/ZEkXMsGWfb

— Brian Shields (@BrianWeather) August 2, 2024

Florida’s governor has issued a state of emergency for much of the Florida peninsula, including the counties of Orange and Osceola, where Disney World is located.

The state of emergency activates the state’s emergency management system to help mitigate storm damage and to issue evacuation orders if needed. The emergency order says the storm could cause flooding, and power outages, and affect critical infrastructure in the state including roads and bridges.

Rainy day

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in the next seven days, you might want to keep your eyes on the weather. A severe storm could cause flight cancelations, ride closures, and transportation delays. If a hurricane develops, Disney may need to close its parks. That said, the system is still in the early stages of formation, so things could change at any time.

Rainy Day at Animal Kingdom

Here’s how to handle the worst-case scenario at Disney World during hurricane season. And if you’re headed there over the next few days, you’ll want to be sure to pack some rainy-day gear.

We will continue to monitor this storm for updates. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest travel news, so stay tuned for more.

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The post NEWS: Storm System Expected To Strengthen, Experts Warn of Flash Flooding in Florida first appeared on the disney food blog.

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