‘Increasing risk’ Tropical Storm Fred will bring heavy wind and rain to Florida, forecasters say – USA TODAY
The risk of Tropical Storm Fred impacting Florida was increasing Wednesday as the storm brought heavy rain and flooding risks to the Dominican Republic, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Fred reached tropical storm strength late Tuesday and drenched the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, where power outages were reported.
The storm is expected to weaken over the Dominican Republic, but strengthen again Thursday evening as it eyes Florida, potentially bringing severe weather to the bottom of the peninsula before the weekend.
“There is an increasing risk of wind and rainfall impacts in Florida beginning Friday night or early Saturday,” the Hurricane Center said. “Beginning Friday, heavy rainfall could lead to areal, urban, and small stream flooding, and possible rapid river rises across southern Florida.”
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Fred is the sixth named storm of the 2021 hurricane season and first named storm in August, breaking a month-long lull after Hurricane Elsa formed July 9.
Where is Tropical Storm Fred?
The center of Fred was crossing the Dominican Republic as of 5 p.m. EDT. It was heading west-northwest at about 15 mph.
What do the spaghetti models forecast for Tropical Storm Fred?
The National Hurricane Center says some models show Fred will track “near or over the Florida Peninsula,” while others show it passing southwest of the Florida Keys.
When is Tropical Storm Fred expected to make landfall?
Fred made landfall in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday. A weekend landfall in Florida is possible, forecast say.
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How strong is Tropical Storm Fred?
Maximum sustained winds were up to 40 miles per hour on Wednesday.
It could bring isolated patches of rain up to 8 inches in parts of the Dominican Republic, causing flash flooding and mudslides, the Weather Service said.
In Haiti, the Turks and Caicos, eastern Bahamas and eastern Cuba, rainfall up to 5 inches was possible, the Weather Service said. The western Bahamas could see 3 to 5 inches, with isolated areas up to 8 inches.
In Florida, winds and rain could come as soon as Friday The Weather Service said the Keys and southern Florida could also expect to see 3 to 5 inches of rain with areas up to 8 inches through Monday. That raises the possibility of flash flooding, the Weather Service said.
Track Fred’s path
Contributing: Megan Kearney, Naples Daily News; The Associated Press
