Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has expressed gratitude to utility linemen, both local and out-of-state, for their readiness to respond to Tropical Storm Debby.
What Happened: On Tuesday, DeSantis took to X to appreciate the efforts of utility linemen who are prepared to work tirelessly to restore power in the wake of Tropical Storm Debby. He also advised residents on safety measures in case of power outages.
We appreciate all the utility linemen, from Florida and out-of-state, who are staged and ready to respond to Tropical Storm Debby. They will be working around the clock to restore your power quickly and safely as soon as weather conditions allow.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 4, 2024
If your power goes out, stay...
The governor's tweet read, "If your power goes out, stay safe by running your portable generator outside at least 20 feet away from your home on a flat, dry surface."
Why It Matters: The governor's message comes as Florida braces for Tropical Storm Debby, which is expected to bring high winds and heavy rainfall, potentially causing power outages. North Carolina-headquartered Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE:DUK) has also urged customers to heed the warnings and instructions of emergency management officials and take necessary precautions.
Debby rapidly intensified into a hurricane before making landfall in Florida's Big Bend region, bringing historic rainfall to parts of the Southeast due to near-record warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Authorities in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina urged residents to prepare for heavy rain and possible flooding. Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, faced a month's worth of rain in a single day, reported CNN.
By Sunday night, Debby had sustained winds of 70 mph and was 100 miles west of Tampa, Florida. The National Hurricane Center predicted significant strengthening before landfall, expecting Debby to reach Category 1 hurricane status with winds around 85 mph.
The main threats were flooding from storm surges up to 10 feet and heavy rainfall. Evacuation orders were issued, and tropical storm warnings extended to parts of Florida, coastal Georgia, and South Carolina. DeSantis, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared states of emergency, with the Florida National Guard reportedly activated for assistance.
Photo by The Old Major on Shutterstock
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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Shivdeep Dhaliwal