Saturday, August 3

Contents:

1. Tropical Depression Four Forms, Expected to Hit Florida as Tropical Storm

2. Fact of the Day

3. Quote of the Day

4. Word of the Day

Tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued across southern Florida and a state of emergency has been declared as a possible system closes in on the southeast US state.

Tropical Depression Four formed yesterday as a Potential Tropical Storm over Cuba and has since moved westward towards the Gulf of Mexico. It formed in eastern Cuba before shifting southwest into the Caribbean Sea later in the day, and it is now moving across Cuba as a tropical depression with winds of around 35 mph. By this evening, the storm will move into the Gulf of Mexico, where it could begin to pose a minor threat.

Upon reaching the Gulf of Mexico, it would begin strengthening into a tropical storm, which would be named Debby. Its cone, or possible path, is rather uncertain right now, but here are some possibilities, ranging from most likely to least likely:

1. The storm could continue straight and move slightly to the east, making landfall in the center of what is known as the Big Bend. From there, it would move east into the Atlantic, most likely impacting Jacksonville on the way, and move northeast up the Carolina coast.

2. The storm could bank east and make landfall closer to Tampa, where it would most likely weaken before crossing Florida and emerging into the Atlantic.

3. The storm could continue on a straight path, making landfall near the state capital of Tallahassee and almost certainly moving into southern Georgia.

As it makes landfall sometime on Monday, Debby will most likely pack winds of 65-70 mph, and it will bring heavy rain as well. Tropical storm warnings are in place for the Florida Keys and most of southwestern part of the state, including the Everglades and Naples, while tropical storm watches are already in place for most of western Florida, beginning at the Big Bend and passing down through Tampa. Tropical weather statements are in place across the Florida peninsula, stretching all the way up to Daytona Beach, and flood watches have been issued for the southern portion of the state, going from the Everglades and Miami up to West Palm Beach and Lake Okeechobee. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also issued a state of emergency in dozens of counties, which gives them access to extra funding to respond to the storm.

While Debby may not be very strong, it still poses a threat-- up to 5-10 inches of localizaed rain are expected in some areas. It could also be an indicator of an intensifying Atlantic hurricane season, which is entering its peak months,August, September, and October, and is expected to be busier than normal.

Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): Apples found at the grocery store can be up to a year old. They’re usually picked between August and November, covered in wax, hot-air dried, and sent into cold storage. After six to twelve months, they are finally sent to stores and are put on the shelf. So much for fresh!

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The only limitations that I can have are the ones that I set on myself. (Omar Epps)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Parry (adj)- Parry has two basic meanings. To parry can be to defend yourself by turning away from or pushing aside a weapon, assault, etc., or to evade something, such as a question, especially by using a clever response.

In a Sentence: Players of the game must unfailingly parry blows from multiple varied attackers while progressing through a series of worlds.