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TIMELINE: Debby remains a tropical storm, flooding risk continues for North Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News and scroll below for the latest updates on Hurricane Debby from Channel 9′s team of meteorologists:

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10 p.m. update

Debby has dumped well over a foot of rain near south of Tampa and Sarasota.

North Florida will also see excessive flooding continue.

6:47 p.m. update

6:25 p.m. update

5 p.m. update

Debby is still a tropical storm, with maximum winds down to 50 miles per hour.

Meteorologist George Waldenberger said that the major flooding risk continues.

Flash flooding continues in parts of Northern Florida.

A flash flooding emergency is extended from Live Oak area east past Lake City.

3:30 p.m. update

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is giving a live update on Debby’s aftermath.

He said 200,000 people in the state are without power.

Click here to stream his update live.

Hurricane Debby: See photos of damage, flooding in Florida


2:50 p.m. update

Certified meteorologist Tom Terry said that scattered rain bands are winding down locally, but a disastrous flash flood emergency remains in effect in Suwannee County, where more than 16 inches of rain has fallen.

“And it’s still coming down,” he said.

The rainfall is reminiscent of Hurricane Ian’s affect on that area in 2022, Terry said.

A large swath of the southeastern United States continues to have a high risk of more flooding as Debby very slowly treks across several states this week.

See rainfall from the last 24 hours in Central Florida:


12:23 p.m. update

Deputies in Levy County said a teenager was killed after a tree fell onto his home during Hurricane Debby.

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office said the deadly accident happened around 8 a.m. at 8770 NW 168 Place.

Read: Sheriff: 13-year-old dies after tree falls into home in Florida

When the first responders arrived, they found a large tree that had fallen into a mobile home.

Deputies said a 13-year-old boy was crushed to death inside of the home.


11:50 a.m. update

Thousands of people are without power Monday after rain bands from Hurricane Debby moved through Central Florida.

Marion County has more than 11,000 outages.

Read: Thousands without power throughout Central Florida in wake of Hurricane Debby

More than 12,000 were reported in Lake County.

Power crews around the state are mobilizing to make repairs and restore power to affected areas.


11 a.m. update

Debby has been downgraded back into a tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Debby is still expected to cause major flooding over the southeastern U.S. over the next few days.

SEE: Tracking Debby: Storm causes damage, flooding in Florida


10:50 a.m. update

Some residents in Marion County are being asked to boil their tap water before using it.

Due to a loss of power at the water plant, a boil water notice is in effect for all Marion County Utilities customers in the Fore Acres, Hillside Acres and Courtney Acres.

Read: Boil water notice issued for some Marion County residents

Residents within the community must boil water used for consumption until the water is tested and results indicate that the water is safe to drink.

Bottled water may be used as an alternative for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth, officials said.


9:39 a.m. update

Deputies in Hillsborough County said a driver is dead after a semi-truck crashed into the water Monday morning.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said the large truck veered into the Tampa Bypass Canal on I-75.

Read: Deputies search for driver after semi-truck crashes into water on I-75

A dive team responded to the scene to search for the driver.

Crews are also responding to get the truck out of the water.


9 a.m. update

A Tornado Warning has been issued for parts of Orange County.

The warning area includes Pine Hills, Ocoee and Winter Garden.

The alert is in effect until 9:15 a.m.

Most of Central Florida is under a Tornado Watch until 4 p.m.

Watch live updates on Channel 9.


8:53 a.m. update

While Hurricane Debby makes landfall in northwestern Florida, the storm’s outer bands have been impacting Central Florida.

It was a scary scene in Cocoa, as several high-profile vehicles flipped at the Sonrise Palms RV Park.

Watch: Debby’s damage: Strong winds flip campers in Cocoa

One resident there described her panic as she ran to safety, witnessing RVs tipping over “one by one.”

Channel 9′s Sam Martello is at the RV park this morning and working to learn more about possible injuries.


8:08 a.m. update

A Tornado Warning has been issued in Polk County.

The warning area includes Winter Haven, Haines City and Auburndale.

The alert is in effect until 8:30 a.m.

Most of Central Florida is under a Tornado Watch until 4 p.m.

Watch live updates on Channel 9.


7:30 a.m. update

Gov. Ron DeSantis is giving an update on Florida’s response to Hurricane Debby.

Watch the full news conference here:

Joining DeSantis at the news conference was Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie.

Watch continuing coverage of Hurricane Debby’s impact in Florida on Eyewitness News.


6:59 a.m. update

The National Hurricane Center confirmed Hurricane Debby has officially made landfall in Florida.

The eye on the storm came onshore near Steinhatchee in Dixie County.

Watch: Action 9: Beware of storm chasers

Debby has maximum sustained winds of around 80 mph and is moving north-northeast at 10 mph.

The system is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges and significant flooding to the area.

WFTV News continues to track the latest on Hurricane Debby on Channel 9.


6:05 a.m. update

A Tornado Warning has been issued for northeastern Polk County.

The warning area includes Auburndale, Polk City and Eva.

The alert is in effect until 6:30 a.m.

Most of Central Florida is under a Tornado Watch until 4 p.m.


6 a.m. update

Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to give an update Monday morning on Florida’s response to Hurricane Debby.

DeSantis plans to speak at 7:30 a.m. from the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.

WATCH: Gov. DeSantis to give update on Florida’s response to Hurricane Debby

Joining DeSantis at the news conference will be Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie.

Channel 9 will provide live coverage of the governor’s news conference when it happens.


5 a.m. update

The latest track has Hurricane Debby moving into the “Big Bend” area of northwest Florida.

Debby will gradually move east near I-10 and bring flooding rainfall along the way.

The storm system will likely linger near the Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina area all week long.


4 a.m. update

The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Debby will be capable of producing winds of 70 to 90 mph.

Read: Hurricane watch vs. warning? Remembering the difference is a piece of pie

Officials are advising residents to make sure loose items around their homes are secured.

Downed power lines and tree branches are also a major concern for portions of northern Florida.

Watch LIVE coverage of the storm on Eyewitness News This Morning starting at 4:30 a.m.


2 a.m. update

Meteorologist Tom Terry said Debby remains a Category 1 hurricane, increasing only slightly in strength since the 11 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

As of 2 a.m., NHC put Debby’s maximum sustained winds at 80 mph.

Watch: ‘Predicting the Path,’ a Severe Weather Center 9 special

Terry said the storm was continuing to move at a relatively slow pace, just 12 mph.

He expected Debby to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend around daybreak Monday, possibly near Steinhatchee.

Central Florida can still expect periods of heavy rain due to the hurricane’s outer bands.


12 a.m. update

Debby is a hurricane as it approaches the Northeastern Gulf Coast.

TIMELINE: Debby live updates Aug. 4

The track has shifted a bit west, meteorologist George Waldenberger said.

Most of Central Florida is under a tornado watch until 6 a.m. Monday.

Brevard County is the only area not under the tornado watch.

Read our previous timeline here.

Follow our Severe Weather team on X for live updates:

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Jason Kelly

Jason Kelly, WFTV.com

Jason Kelly joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2014. He serves as the station's Digital Executive Producer.

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