UPDATE: Tropical Storm warnings for all of east Central Florida have been canceled.
MELBOURNE, Florida – The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Brevard County, Volusia County, Seminole County, Lake County, and Orange County.
Tropical Storm Colin continues to move northward across the southern Gulf of Mexico. Colin is expected to pass to the north of the Central Florida area overnight Monday and early Tuesday morning.
Although the system is expected to pass to the north and west of Central Florida, Colin will still bring an increased threat for flooding rainfall, severe or tornadic thunderstorms, and strong wind gusts.
On Monday night, Colin is forecast to move over North Florida and southeastern Georgia before moving into eastern South Carolina by Tuesday morning. Colin is then forecast to skirt along the east coast of North Carolina on Tuesday afternoon.
A flood watch is in effect for east Central Florida through Monday night. Outer rain bands from Tropical Storm Colin will affect the Central Florida area beginning Monday with a higher coverage of heavy rain expected Monday night as the system moves across the far northern Florida Peninsula. Heavy rainfall amounts of three to five inches are expected, with higher amounts possible.
Tropical storm force winds will be possible Monday afternoon into early Tuesday morning along the Brevard and Volusia County coastlines as well as the adjacent Atlantic waters.
Elsewhere, frequent tropical storm force wind gusts are likely in passing squalls across interior areas from Cape Canaveral to Kissimmee and points northward, especially on Monday night with the closest approach of Colin.
Isolated tornadoes are possible across east Central Florida Monday and Monday night as the system approaches the area and moves across North Florida.
LOCAL IMPACTS:
RAIN AND FLOODING:
Potentially dangerous rainfall flooding with possible significant impacts across portions of east Central Florida may prompt evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches could overflow.
Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions can become hazardous. some road and bridge closures.
TORNADOES:
A potentially dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across east Central Florida may occur. Potential impacts include the occurrence of tornadoes that can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. Several places may experience tornado damage with a few locations seeing considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
WIND:
Hazardous winds having possible limited impacts across east Central Florida include damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured, lightweight objects can be blown about.
Many large tree limbs may be broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs may blow over. A few roads may become impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways may occur. Scattered power and communications outages can be expected.
Image credit: NWS Melbourne
