Tropical Storm Ophelia Heads for Florida

Tropical Storm Ophelia Heads for Florida

Written by Lesly Simmons , Staff Writer, RedCross.org

Wednesday, September 07, 2005 — A tropical storm warning is now in effect for the east coast of Florida as Tropical Storm Ophelia heads for the coast as the latest storm in the 2005 hurricane season.

Tropical storm watches are in effect for northeast Florida from Flagler Beach to Fernandina Beach. Rainfall totals up to 5 inches, with some areas reaching 8 inches are expected in parts of central and north Florida, and Southeastern Georgia.

Ophelia now has winds near 50 miles per hour, with strengthening expected in the next 24 hours as it heads to the coastline at a slow 3 mile per hour pace.

At the same time the American Red Cross continues to support victims of Hurricane Katrina, local chapters are prepared to handle needs that may arise in their communities because of Ophelia.

Hurricane season runs from June 1-Nov. 31 each year, and this year has been a record one with Hurricane Dennis, Tropical Storm Emily, and Hurricane Katrina.

In August the National Weather Services announced that it expected the 2005 hurricane season to be even worse than originally announced, with up to 14 storms coming between August and November of 2005, and three to five of those becoming major hurricanes.

Meanwhile, a new weather system in the Midwest brings the threat of severe weather, including tornadoes.

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