99L Forms into Tropical Depression 9 Over The Weekend. TD9 Remains Relatively Weak & Unorganized as it Moves West Into The Gulf of Mexico. Most Forecast Models Predict Potential Landfall As Tropical Storm Later This Week in FL.

Latest from the National Hurricane Center:

“The depression is moving toward the west near 9 mph (15 km/h). A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast today, followed by a slow northwestward motion on Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of the depression will be passing north of the north coast of western Cuba today, and moving farther into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by tonight.”

FMIT Ride-Out teams will remain on standby throughout the the week as the path and strength of the tropical depression become more clear. Future alerts will be sent twice daily due to the storm’s projected path into FL later this week. Should the storm develop significantly, we will arrange pre-event webinars and calls to educate Members on FMIT’s mitigation and response procedures.

Storm Imagery (Courtesy www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and www.myfoxhurricane.com/ )

FMIT Discussion

• Tropical Depression 9 is expected to strengthen into a Tropical Storm within the next 24-48 hours
• Wind speeds are being recorded at 35mph and are expected to grow as the storm progresses.
• Heavy amounts of rainfall are being predicted later this week with the possibility of flooding across parts of the state.
• Most models show the system affecting areas of Florida towards the end of the week.

Still to Watch:
99L struggled most of last week to form as it encountered high wind shear and relatively dry air as it traveled west/northwest through the Caribbean. It passed through the Straits of FL this weekend and is now entering more favorable conditions for development, which has led to its formation into Tropical Depression 9. Winds have increased to 35 mph and are projected to continue to increase as convection around the low is forecast to increase as the week goes on. The storm is still moving W/NW as it moves through the Gulf, where it is projected to eventually stall and then begin moving N/NE toward the northeastern Gulf of Mexico around mid-week. Areas of the western coast of FL should maintain a watchful eye on the storm as the week progresses.

FMIT Member Preparedness Actions

• FMIT Ride-Out teams are making plans to identify areas for initial deployment as necessary to assist Member with the response and recovery process. FMIT’s Property Insurance Policy affords many benefits to its members.
• Members should continue to monitor the storm as well as FMIT Alerts and local/national weather forecasts.
• Members throughout the western coast of FL should begin preparations for potential landfall later this week, which may include communications with internal emergency response leadership.