Florida Braces For Tropical Storm Hermine

Florida’s Gulf Coast is bracing for Tropical Storm Hermine, which is reportedly picking up speed and could possibly hit land as a hurricane by tonight.

It would be the state’s first hurricane landfall since Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

Tropical storm warnings were issued this morning (Sept. 1) along the southeast coast to coastal South Carolina, including Jacksonville Beach, St. Simons Island, Hilton Head Island and Charleston.

Tropical storm watches have also been issued north of that to include Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Wrightsville Beach and Surf City, North Carolina. Hurricane warnings continue for a swath of north Florida, extending inland to include the city of Tallahassee.

In other weather related news, Tropical Storm Madeline, downgraded from a hurricane, brought periods of intense rainfall to parts of Hawaii yesterday (Aug. 31). Wind speeds diminished throughout the day and by late evening were swirling at around 60 mph. Continued weakening is expected.

Madeline’s centre was 175 miles south of Hilo and moving southwest and away from the state. The Big Island and Maui County were under tropical storm warnings.