ABC News(NEW YORK) — A tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico strengthened to Tropical Storm Nestor Friday afternoon as it takes aim at the Florida Panhandle.
Nestor is moving quickly and is set to make landfall along the Florida Panhandle near Panama City on Saturday morning, bringing tropical storm-force winds and dangerous storm surge.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect from southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.
Bands of rain will move in Friday night, and by Saturday morning, Floridians will see heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds.
The biggest threat with this storm will be storm surge, as ocean water could rise up to 5 feet from Apalachicola to Cedar Key, Florida. Water could also rise up to 4 feet as far south as Clearwater.
Storm surge warnings have been issued from Apalachicola to Clearwater.
“Residents should prepare now for the chance of flooding & power disruption,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted Thursday.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards added, “Until we know the exact track of the storm & the potential impact areas, it is important for everyone to stay informed & prepare now. Hopefully, most of the severe weather will remain south of Louisiana, but we must stand ready in case the conditions change.”
Up to 6 inches of rain is possible in the Florida Panhandle.
Winds aren’t forecast to be too strong, with gusts near 50 mph possible.
Because the storm is moving quickly, conditions will improve along the Florida Panhandle mid-day Saturday.
Saturday evening, what’s left of Nestor move through Georgia and the Carolinas, bringing about 2 to 4 inches of rain.
By Sunday morning, Nestor’s remnants will sweep across eastern North Carolina, then move off the mid-Atlantic coast and out to sea.
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