A disturbance inching its way toward South Florida and the Florida Keys is expected to become a tropical storm later today. That’s according to the National Hurricane Center and Jon Rizzo, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Key West.
Rizzo told Keys Weekly that the disturbance moving northeastward over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico contained some minimal tropical storm force winds on Friday morning. While still disorganized, Rizzo said it will likely get more organized to become a tropical storm Friday evening. It would be the first named storm for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Florida Keys and the lower half of the Florida peninsula.
Some 4-8 inches of rain are expected Friday afternoon through Sunday morning in the Keys. Isolated areas could get up to 12 inches in that time period.
“Rain is a certainty,” Rizzo said. “Areas prone to rainfall flooding include the Key Largo back bay neighborhoods, parts of Key West and areas on Lower Matecumbe Key and Marathon.”
Heavy squalls are expected this evening and into Saturday morning. Rizzo said squalls could produce damaging wind gusts and a threat of a tornado.
And while significant coastal flooding isn’t expected, Rizzo said there will be oceanside wave overwash around times of high tide. Rizzo said the main concern is the east end of Florida Bay, where some neighborhoods in Key Largo are susceptible to rainfall flooding and high tide.
“By tomorrow afternoon and into evening, some streets may be impassable to vehicles. That’s our main concern,” Rizzo said.
A number of flights in and out of Key West International Airport were canceled as of Friday, said Monroe County Airports Director Richard Strickland. “Delta, American, United and Allegiant have canceled inbound and outbound flights from Key West through Friday, June 3,” he said, adding that Silver Airways flights to Orlando and Tampa were still scheduled as of 1 p.m. Friday.
“We always recommend those who have a canceled flight to please contact their airline directly, either by phone, website or app,” Strickland said.
Storm preparations for areas prone to rainfall flooding should be completed today, Monroe County Emergency Management said Friday morning. There are no protective actions in place by emergency management at this time. Monroe County Emergency Management encourages all residents and visitors to be off the road and seek safe shelter with friends or family by nightfall.
Monroe County said there are no changes to garbage services as of this time.
EVENTS IMPACTED
- The SAT test at Key West High School on Saturday, June 4 is canceled.
- Coral Restoration Foundation’s Coralpalooza set for Saturday, June 4 is canceled.
- The Key West Pride Street Fair, scheduled for Saturday, June 4, is canceled. The Key West Pride Parade will still occur at 5 p.m. Sunday.
- Overnight camping at state parks in the Florida Keys are closed Friday and Saturday.
- The Sizzling Summer Fashion Show at Village Square at Trading Post in Islamorada is rescheduled to Sunday, June 5 at 6 p.m.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
