North Florida, Big Bend on hurricane watch.

FL Governor Mobilizes National Guard as Tropical Storm Looms

• The National Hurricane Center issues a Hurricane Watch for North Florida as a tropical depression strengthens and sets its sights on the Gulf of Mexico, likely to become Tropical Storm Debby.
• Gov. Ron DeSantis has mobilized the National Guard and extended the state of emergency to 61 of Florida's 67 counties.
• Jefferson County closes schools and opens an emergency evacuation center. Taylor County issues a voluntary evacuation order for coastal and low-lying areas.
• Leon County declares a 'state of emergency'. The county administrator, Vince Long, warns of higher rain and wind expectations due to the storm's westward track shift.
• The storm menaces almost every stretch of Florida, with expectations of strengthening into a hurricane before landfall.
• City and county officials urge residents to be prepared, offering online guides for preparedness.
• Sandbag sites are open in counties in the strike zone, with residents and governments bracing for impact.
• Forecasters closely watch the storm's turn into the Gulf, as a westward shift raises concerns about a slowdown and the potential for higher intensification.
• The storm is expected to impact communities still recovering from Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and the recent May tornado outbreak.
• WeatherTiger meteorologist Ryan Truchelut warns of the possibility of a hurricane hitting North Florida, emphasizing the need for alertness and preparedness.