Debby made landfall today on Florida’s Big Bend at 7 a.m. ET as a Category 1 hurricane with 80 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center said.
It was downgraded at 11 a.m. to a tropical storm.
At least five deaths have been confirmed as a result of Debby.
Forecasters have warned of life-threatening storm surges in Florida and major flooding across southeastern states.
Downpours and flooding are hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast hard, with more than 10 inches of rain in some areas and more than 300,000 energy customers without power.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 61 counties expected to be affected by the storm. In a statement, his office said that 3,000 National Guard members have been mobilized.
