News Summary
The Treasure Coast is under a Tropical Storm Watch as Tropical Depression Nine approaches South Florida, with anticipated heavy rain, gusty winds, and surf. Schools are expected to remain open, while locals are urged to monitor forecasts and prepare for potential impacts starting late Sunday into Monday. The storm could strengthen and affect coastal regions and possibly the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic states later in the week. Residents are advised to stay informed and review their hurricane preparedness plans.
Fort Pierce, Florida – Tropical Storm Watch Issued as Tropical Depression Nine Approaches
The Treasure Coast is under a Tropical Storm Watch as Tropical Depression Nine continues to approach South Florida. This storm is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm over the weekend, bringing gusty winds, heavy rain, and rough surf to coastal areas. Residents and local officials are preparing for potential impacts starting as early as late Sunday into Monday.
Currently, schools in the area are expected to remain open, with no announcements of closures for the upcoming week. St. Lucie Public Schools is actively monitoring the forecast and has indicated that normal school operations are anticipated to continue. Before- and after-school programs will operate as scheduled, and school leaders are in direct communication with the St. Lucie County Emergency Operations Center to stay updated on the evolving situation.
Families are urged to stay informed about the latest developments regarding the storm by checking the St. Lucie Public Schools website, following their social media channels, and monitoring local news sources for updates and safety information.
Storm Details and Forecast
The National Hurricane Center has indicated that Tropical Depression Nine formed between the central Bahamas and eastern Cuba on Saturday morning. NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft have confirmed that the storm has developed a more defined circulation, with sustained winds currently near 35 mph. Forecasts predict that the storm will gradually shift northward, staying just offshore of Florida’s Atlantic coast, with potential strengthening into a hurricane.
Tropical Storm Watches have already been issued for Coastal Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. Additionally, Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach, as well as the Bahamas. Despite the forecast suggesting that the storm’s center will remain offshore, significant impacts are expected for coastal areas, including gusty winds and dangerous rip currents, particularly from Sunday into Monday.
Expected Rainfall and High Surf Conditions
Rainfall projections for the Treasure Coast suggest totals between 1 to 3 inches, with some regions possibly exceeding 4 inches. Authorities are warning residents about a high risk of rip currents along the coastline, especially during the storm’s peak impacts on Sunday and Monday, when breaking waves are expected to reach between 6 to 8 feet.
Residents are advised to review their hurricane preparedness plans during this time of uncertainty. They should remain vigilant as the storm could stall off the Southeast coast, potentially affecting the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic states later in the week.
Potential Impacts Beyond Florida
Significant rainfall is also expected across Hispaniola, eastern Cuba, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, with flash flooding and mudslides possible, especially in mountainous areas. Furthermore, heavy rain may begin affecting parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia by early next week, as the storm moves along the Atlantic coast.
Local authorities are stressing the importance of staying informed and prepared as Tropical Depression Nine approaches. The community is encouraged to take necessary precautions and to stay tuned to updates from local emergency management and the National Hurricane Center as the situation evolves.
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Additional Resources
- WPTV: Schools Monitoring Tropical Storm Watch
- Wikipedia: Tropical storm
- WPBF: Florida Tropical Storm Watch
- Google Search: Tropical Storm Watch
- Boca Raton Tribune: Tropical Depression Forms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane
- Florida Today: Tropical Storm Watch Issued
- Google News: Tropical Depression Nine
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
