So why not apply the same concept to down-drift beach erosion caused by Port Canaveral being dredgedand jetties constructedin the 1950s. Due to lack of data, many early hurricanes have overall death tolls that do not specify indirect or direct. Danger of dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps. Make sure you know your evacuation route and make sure to keep updated through Brevard County Emergency Management to find out when the causeways are re-opened. [8], Tropical cyclones have affected North Carolina in every month between May and December; about 35percent of the storms struck the state in September, and 80percent affected the state between August and October, which coincides with the peak of the hurricane season. hurricane ian cocoa beach aftermath . The following areas have had the most storms that are considered category 3 or higher: Southeast Florida, located at the tip of the state, is very susceptible to hurricanes. "Frances was the worst hurricane for me," said Bonnie Lizer of Indialantic. Direct deaths are those that are directly caused by the storm passage, such as drownings or deaths from being struck by windblown objects. It is considered unlikely due to lack of damage to a fence around the village, on which the villagers left an inscription. Here's what happened to 6 popular Brevard restaurants that sustained damage in Hurricane Nicole, Hurricane Nicole knocked out power, toppled signs, flooded docks across Space Coast, Beach erosion and Hurricane Matthew damage in Melbourne Beach, Most Brevard beachesheld their own during Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Anybody with a sharp eye walking along Cocoa Beach Thursday afternoon would have noticed a few signs that a hurricane had just passed through the area. Barrier islands include all areas east of the Indian River including Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Not all homes need sandbags. If this happens, there will still be water service, but it will be limited to the amount stored in tanks on the barrier island. Minimize outdoor activity, especially for older adults, infants, and those with sensitive medical conditions. If I evacuate, do I need to turn off my water? Large-scale beach "resanding"was stalled there by a rare reef that houses a unique marine worm. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Does the City of Cocoa provide sand bags? Severe weather outbreak turns deadly as storms continue to impact South, Ohio Valley. The largest hurricane was Unnamed in 1933. As the surf waned a little on Thursday afternoon, Stephanie Goldstein could see the deep-dune wounds Tropical Storm Nicole hadinflicted on the Melbourne Beach Resort she manages. Water main breaks are highly likely on the barrier islands but can happen at any location where the storm hits. Florida Power and Light (Report an Outage): (800) 468-8243. For instance, Hurricane Matthew produced winds moving at 107 mph, measured from an elevated tower 54 feet above the ground at Cape Canaveral. Eight cyclones affected the state in the 1985 season, which was the year with the most tropical cyclones striking the state. Due to its location, many hurricanes have hit the state directly, and numerous hurricanes have passed near or through North Carolina in its history; the state is ranked fourth, after Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, in the number of cyclones that produced hurricane-force winds in a U.S. October 2, 1951- Hurricane How hits Fort Myers, and produces flooding rains and winds of up to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). As a safety precaution, beach communities along the barrier island are still evacuated prior to an approaching hurricane. Frostbite to exposed skin within 1 minute. The last powerful storm to hit the area was the 1921 Tampa Bay hurricane. Tropical Storm Gordon (November, 1994): Parts of Brevard received more than 8 inches of rain, and wind gusts were reported above 40 mph. Several tropical cyclones produced over 20inches (500mm) of rainfall in the state, including Hurricane Easy which is the highest total during the time period. Last edited on 17 November 2022, at 14:07, List of North Carolina hurricanes (pre-1900), List of North Carolina hurricanes (19001949), List of North Carolina hurricanes (19501979), List of North Carolina hurricanes (19801999), List of North Carolina hurricanes (2000present), List of wettest known tropical cyclones in North Carolina, "Approaching One Year, North Carolina Floyd Assistance More Than $1.9 Billion", "Chronological List of All Hurricanes which Affected the Continental United States: 18512005", "Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT", "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Southeastern United States", "When will a Category Five Hurricane strike the Outer Banks? . Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist, Published Oct 1, 2021 8:17 PM CET Should the district close, BPS will communicate the closure to parents, teachers and staff through their rapid notification system. (NASA). The Gulf Stream is located a good 30 miles off shore from Brevard County, giving storm systems time to die down before hitting the area. [15][16] Hurricane Irene hit the Outer Banks on August 27, 2011, as a Category 1, making it the first of its kind to make landfall since Hurricane Ike in 2008. The state often experiences the direct effects of landfalling North Atlantic tropical cyclones and from the remnants of some . The Florida Keys are also very vulnerable to intense hurricanes, with storm surges posing a particular threat to these islands. Since 1950, 14 hurricanes have made a U.S. landfall in October, eight of which occurred in Florida. Outdoor activity can be dangerous and should be limited. Florida Frontiers: Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. If a hurricane is forecast to hit our area, the barrier island water system will likely be isolated to protect . (NOAA). If windows break, your home is susceptible to water damage from rain blowing inside, this also puts additional pressure on the roof and increases the chance it will blow off. Satellite Beach Atlantic Plaza Gets Breezeway Facelift, Florida Tech Announces New African American Studies Program. Check with this service regularly to stay on top of approaching and developing storms. 4 hurricane, Hurricane Sam serves up stunning sights over the open Atlantic, Supercharged hurricanes? The 1969 season was the year with the most tropical cyclones affecting the state, with a total of 8 systems. The barrier island water system may need to be isolated from the main water system to protect the integrity of the entire utility system. Dropping almost three feet of rain, it is North Carolina's wettest hurricane. But, most importantly, impact windows and doors can help keep you, your family, and your property safe. WatchAccuWeather Network on DIRECTV, DIRECTVstream, Frontier, Spectrum, fuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios. Theories have often been discussed of up-and-down hurricane cycles, but it wasn't too long ago that Space Coast residents dealt with plenty of named storms. At Sandpiper Towers, built in 1964, ankle-deep ocean flowed through the parking garage underneath the condo. This will come in the form of voicemail and email. Outdoor activity is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Now the resort, formerly called Sandy Shoes, once again teeters dangerously on the edge of a sandy disaster as it didin Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and before that in other storms, making thebuilding and others like it around Brevard and the state perennialpost-storm cliff hangers. Since the launch of the storm surge warning and new inundation mapping in 2017, there have been 16 U.S hurricane landfalls, of which seven were major hurricanes. Grants to plant sea grapes and other vegetation also helped. the strongest and most impactful hurricanes have struck in October. The strongest hurricane to hit the state during the time period was Hurricane Fran in 1996, which struck near Wilmington as a Category3 hurricane on the SaffirSimpson hurricane scale; Hurricane Emily in 1993 brushed the Outer Banks also as a Category3 hurricane. is available to homeowners, renters, condo owners/renters, and commercial owners/renters. During September, two hurricanes prevented us from living in our condo for 12 days.". "This time was for Jeanne. Call 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) immediately to report a dangerous condition such as a downed power line. Will the causeways close before the storm hits? "Sea level is rising much faster than it had," he said, adding that the rate from Port Canaveral to Fernadina Beach has increased to 6 or 7 millimeters per year, up from about 2 mm per year in the early 1900s. Thats because a hurricane often weakens to a tropical storm by the time it makes landfall along Floridas peninsula Gulf Coast and moves northeast into Brevard County. Lakeland, FL is in a very low risk hurricane zone. "Fay was such a slow moving system and it dumped so much rain it was a disaster due to flooding," said Tim Bollinger of Cocoa. Tropical cyclone affected the state in all but nine seasons. So no matter where you live in Florida, consider getting replacement windows for your home. Florence made landfall at Wrightsville Beach on September 13, 2018. "We have no dune, whatsoever.". One of the worst hurricanes to touch down in Miami was the Great Miami Hurricane in 1926, causing $196 billion inflation-adjusted dollars in damage. "This is not going away,and at some point it's going toforce some difficult decisions to be made.". Residents lost their lives. Hurricane Andrew, which occurred in August 1992, was the most destructive hurricane to hit Florida until the arrival of Hurricane Irma in 2017. Wilma is the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record. A 10-year legal battle that employed a unique application of condemnation law in 2000 won a thick shield of sand for thousands ofresidents in the communities south of Port Canaveral. Since 1950, 14 hurricanes have made a U.S. landfall in October, eight of which occurred in. Water main breaks are highly likely on the barrier islands but can happen at any location where the storm hits. state. Hurricane Michael, which hit in 2018, was the most powerful hurricane on record in the Florida Panhandle. Florida has been hit by about a dozen major hurricanes in the month of October since records began in 1851, which is more than any other state. The Weather and Circulation of June 1966. The following is a list of hurricanes with known deaths in the state. Some residents feel Frances was the most destructive storm to hit Brevard. 1.Hurricane Jeanne (September, 2004): Jeanne looped east of the Bahamas before heading west toward the peninsula. This is why it is so important to heed any evacuation warnings. On average, October ranks third behind September and August for months with the most named tropical systems in the Atlantic basin. Sandy unleashed catastrophic storm surge flooding, claimed 159 lives in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern U.S. and left behind more than $70 billion in damage, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. The number of people killed and the number of people involved in the recovery efforts were so large that an accurate count of . how many hurricanes have hit cocoa beach. 2023 Local Hurricane Tracker | AccuWeather Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities Wind Chill Advisory Risk to Life and Property The level of risk due to high winds, flooding rain, surge, and. The battle drew big names, including the late Al Neuharth, founder of FLORIDA TODAYand USA Today. It has gained tropical storm strength as Henri. Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #hurricaneaftermath "Its flooding rain found its way into my foundation and ruined our wood floor in our master bedroom on Merritt Island," said Jack Doherty. attacks, and spam will not be tolerated. All residents are advised to be prepared for potential loss of water service and for the possible issue of a Precautionary Boil Water Notice once water service is restored. 5. In 2018, Hurricane Florence made landfall in Wrightsville Beach as a Category 1 storm, causing catastrophic flooding across the state. August 29, 1971 A tropical depression moves across the southern portion of the state, though its effects are unknown. Hurricane Andrew was a category 5 hurricane, while Hurricane Irma was a category 4. In some places, little sand is left on the beach, exposing the rocky bottom and remnants of old seawalls that had been designed to keep the ocean at bay. Older adults, infants, and those with sensitive medical conditions should minimize outdoor activity, especially in the sunshine. Brevard County has several "barrier islands". The peak of hurricane season in the basin is Sept. 10. We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian made landfall on Cape Hatteras as a Category 2 storm, causing large storm surges to sweep across some islands, particularly Ocracoke. We will then provide a 'no-obligation estimate for free. The county also had a number of bargain sea oat sales to provide the erosion-preventing plants. Massive winter storm to unload heavy snow in the Midwest and Northeast. Southeast Florida is very susceptible to hurricanes, given its location at the tip of the state. Hurricane Irma also blew through the Fort Myers-Naples area in 2017, making it the worst hurricane to have hit the area. Wet sand on the dune crossovers, some small gullies slicing between grassy spots on the dunes and high-tide mark farther up the beach than normal were all hints of Hurricane Nicoles visit. [7] Additionally, the remnants of inland tropical cyclones have produced flooding and landslides in the state's western region. View By Year 2014 Hurricane And Storm Summary top right bottom left center + - 2023 Microsoft Corporation Terms The National Weather Service in Melbourne reported a peak wind gust of 63 mph with almost 8 inches of rain. Hurricane Irma did head towards Tampa but was downgraded to a category 1 storm by the time it came through. "After the storm we rowed canoes and played on boogie boards in the street.". Hypothermia likely without protective clothing. Thebenefits of impact windowsand impact doors are numerous from better energy efficiency to reduce noise and higher home values. Why should I conserve water during and after a storm? The above graph shows, on average (from 1944 to 2020), the number of hurricanes and named tropical systems that form in the Atlantic Ocean from day to day. Older adults, infants, and those with sensitive medical conditions, should be well dressed to protect from hypothermia and frostbite. Stay indoors in air conditioning or a well-ventilated area away from direct sun exposure. Essential items for your evacuation go bag. The last large storm to hit the Tampa Bay area was the Tampa Bay hurricane in 1921, a category 4 hurricane with winds over 140 mph. Profanity, personal Historical data prior to 1700 is sparse due to lack of significant European settlements along the coastline; the few storms listed are largely records from Roanoke Colony and later the Province of Carolina. The largest hurricane was Dora in 1964. "What made this one so bad for me is the damage to trees. Will public safety personnel respond during a storm? Sandy . The most recent storm to affect the state was Hurricane Florence. While beachside property almost always suffers the most when big storms hit Florida,Hurricane Nicole hasmanaged to show the disparities between Brevard's "renourished" beaches and those that were not. Some of Brevard's worst experiences with tropical weather fell not far from today's meteorological landmark. "My vote is for Hurricane Frances," added Patricia Reinert of Melbourne, who says she was without power for eight days following the storm after having no long power outages despite having lived at her home for over 50 years. [6] As the Outer Banks are a narrow strip of low-lying land, hurricanes occasionally leave portions of the land partially or fully submerged. It eventually made landfall in Georgia as a Category 1 hurricane before heading up the east coast over land as a tropical storm. 3. Below you will find a wealth of information on you can stay connected and get the resources you and your family need during an emergency situation. Caution advised. The National Hurricane Center provides consistently up to date reports about ongoing hurricanes. Very high danger of dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps. Brevard County Hurricane Information For Brevard County, FL Brevard County, FL is in a very high risk hurricane zone. Collectively, tropical cyclones in Florida during the time period resulted in about $7.04billion (2017USD) in damage, primarily from Hurricanes Donna and Dora. Call 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) immediately to report a dangerous condition such as a downed power line. - Pre-designate two different contacts, one located intown and one located outside of town. Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or Hurricane Information For Lakeland, FL. Frances weakened before making landfall at Sewall's Point in St. Lucie County. Bonanno graduated Florida Tech with a bachelor's degree in environmental science with meteorology option. By Hurricane Michael made landfall with a category five status, making it the USs strongest storm since Hurricane Andrew ravaged southern Florida in 1992, causing over $25 billion in damage. "Jeanne and Frances were classic hurricanes with a lot of wind damage," said Lascody. Areas that had just started to recover from Frances suffered more misery. See the details and snow map. One of the worst hurricanes to ever make landfall in Miami was the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926, which destroyed thousands of homes and caused damage of $196 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars the costliest hurricane in history when normalizing for inflation. What should I bring to an emergency shelter? It is always best to plan ahead and make sure you are prepared for any type of emergency situation. Remember DO NOT fill your bags with sand from the beach. "Hurricane Camille Preliminary Report (Page 8)", "Tropical Storm Becky Preliminary Report", "Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Fern (1971)", "Thirty Years after Hurricane Agnes: The Forgotten Florida Tornado Disaster", "U.S. John McCarthy is a25+ year veteran of FLORIDA TODAY, who currently oversees the space team and special projects. We are the leading agency for flood insurance solutions. Property damage was valued at $60 million with another $10 million in damage to public infrastructure. The . Hurricane Frances (September, 2004): This storm was pretty rough, but for a while it looked like it could have been much worse. Register now to receive push notifications right to your mobile device and e-mail notifications. Frostbite to exposed skin within 15 minutes. Possible danger of dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps if outside for extended periods, and especially while doing strenuous activities. The most recent Cocoa Beach, FL hurricane was Arthur in 2014. "Frances, it tore a lot of roofs off for the first round and Jeanne comes through on structures that were already weakened and really totaled a lot of structures because they were already weakened," said Lascody. 2023 www.floridatoday.com. Extraordinary caution advised. The rankings are based on all hurricanes as well as tropical, sub tropical and extratropical systems. All properties in flood zones designated on the FEMA flood maps that were damaged by wind, water, fallen trees or other factors should follow this information. Hurricane Irma also reached Tampa, but was a category 1 hurricane by the time it hit. Frostbite to exposed skin within 2 minutes. Wet sand on the dune crossovers, some. An estimated 100,000 people were evacuated from the area before the hurricanes impact. The tornado destroyed 62 homes, with 46 others receiving major damage and 181 others with minor damage, according to the National Hurricane Center. So access back to the barrier islands after a storm will be limited to when those causeways are inspected and opened back up. With winds up to 150 mph and huge storm surges around the coast, it caused over $64 billion in damages. Danger of dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps if outside for extended periods, and especially while doing strenuous activities. Movement was from ESE to WNW. The strongest hurricanes to affect the state during the time period were the 1933 Outer Banks hurricane and the 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane, which produced winds of Category3 status on the SaffirSimpson hurricane scale within the state. The moment this warning is introduced to the public, you and your family should be completing the process of taking all protective actions. On Thursday morning, waves pounded right up to much older homes along Shell Street. [2][3] Hurricanes in North Carolina history are responsible for over $11billion in damage (2008USD) and almost 1,000total fatalities. The Tampa Bay area has been lucky, without any major hurricanes hitting the region in recent years. The Central Florida Atlantic Coast and Brevard County are susceptible to powerful hurricanes, but they often weaken before they make landfall in the area. For first time ever, drone sent into eye of Cat. Most outdoor activity is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. It was the most destructive hurricane to ever hit Florida until Hurricane Irma surpassed it 25 years later. Since 1950, 7 hurricanes have hit Brevard County. It was a category 5 hurricane that caused over $25 billion in damages. Hurricanes can hit anywhere along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic seaboard. If a hurricane approaches, be prepared to lose power for several days. [12] The remnants of a hurricane in 1940 dropped heavy rainfall in the state, which caused over $180million in damage (2020USD) from flooding and landslides.[13]. Hurricanes that make direct landfall can cause serious damage. [5] Cape Hatteras is most affected by storms within the state, though Cape Lookout and Cape Fear are also regularly affected; the increased activity in three areas is because it protrudes from elsewhere along the Atlantic coastline. Updated Oct 1, 2021 8:42 PM CET, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, as a Category 5 storm on Oct. 10, 2018. Gordon looped off the Carolina coast and returned to the Space Coast a few days later as a tropical depression. The list of 21 named storms that have occurred during the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season. After the storm passed, we lived in our camper, without electricity, on the school parking lot for two more days.". The moment this warning is introduced to the public, you and your family should be completing the process of taking all protective actions. So lets look at the top six worst places in Florida for hurricanes. Ultimately, more than300 plaintiffs joined the suit, including the cities of Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach. 2nd tiebreaker is # of direct hits by Major Hurricanes. Port Canaveral registered a peak wind gust of 80 mph, and Melbourne saw a peak wind gust of 70 mph. It made landfall near Frances' landfall as a Category 3 storm early on Sept. 26. Sandbags can be strategically placed to reduce the risk of flooding, especially in homes that sit on or near the water. "While it's getting cooler across the United States and North America, water temperatures are still very warm. This is still a major storm but not as bad as it might have been. June 23, 1973 An area of disturbed weather forms into a tropical depression over the northern portion of the state and subsequently tracks to the northeast. The season officially ends November 30. . On average, the Panhandle is affected by a severe storm about every two years. Creating a family preparedness plan is key to staying safe no matter what.- Create a disaster supply kit and make sure your safety kit is fully stocked at all times.Identify the safest evacuation route and the location of local emergency shelters. Many visitors were avoiding the malls the day after Thanksgiving. Outdoor activity can be dangerous and should be limited. Took down everything Frances missed," said Joyce Silverman. Interruption in service could last for several days depending on how widespread and how severe the storm damage is. The Brevard County and Central Florida Atlantic Coast are quite susceptible to massive hurricanes, though most which make landfall weaken before they affect the area. Light jacket or sweater may be appropriate. But it's been years since our last tropical weather watch or warning, a fact brought on by a combination of good fortune and El Nino, the phenomenon that creates less-than-favorable conditions for storms to form in the Atlantic. When a hurricane warning is put into effect it means that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are on their way within the next 24 hours. ", Are Brevard residents feeling "hurricane amnesia?". Call 800-228-8485 or text "OUT" to 57801 to report power out in your area. "It doesn't have the punch as one like Jeanne coming directly coming into the coast or Frances," said Lascody. Merritt Island Airport recorded sustained winds of 64 mph with a 78 mph maximum gust. August 29, 1969 A tropical depression makes landfall on the east-central portion of the state, though its impact is unknown. Bodies of water have the ability to warm and cool slower than land masses, allowing locations like the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to hold on to summer's heat a little longer than the land. Florida Homeowners Insurance- Get the Most Affordable Homeowners Insurance . Additionally, tropical cyclones in North Carolina were responsible for 77direct fatalities and at least 44indirect casualties during the period. Hurricane Opal in 1995 was one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the area in recent memory, landing as a Category 4 with winds of over 150mph, and causing at least $4.7 billion in damages, and leaving more than 34,000 homeless. [11], Between 1900 and 1949, 75tropical cyclones or their remnants affected the state. As a result, Brevard County sees fewer hurricane-related damages than other coastal communities in Florida and remains a safer place to live. Contact Waymer at 321-261-5903or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. The quiet Atlantic hurricane season could be the norm for years to come. 72 hurricanes have been recorded in the Lakeland, FL since 1930. HH Insurance can provide you with the best flood insurance rates and coverage. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Thats why its so important to properly protect windows. Estimates of the number of lives lost range between 8,000 and 12,000 people. Hurricane Irma was the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history! Among the many lessons Brevard learned from earlier storms is that native plants can be a coastal dweller's savior. [7] However, there were few fatalities and about $110 million inflation-adjusted dollars in damages. David, like other storms on the list, did far more damage elsewhere, as it killed 2,000 people in the Dominican Republic and 56 more residents of Dominica, leaving 60,000 of the 80,000 residents (which was also hit very hard by Tropical Storm Erika recently) homeless. When a "hurricane warning" is put into effect it means that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are on their way within the next 24 hours. 1.Hurricane Jeanne (September, 2004): Jeanne looped east of the Bahamas before heading west toward the peninsula. Under the deal, the Corps would restore 13 miles of coastline south of the port. This storm peaked at Category 4, with winds exceeding 140mph. When will my trash and yard debris be picked up before the storm? Barrier island communities include Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic and Melbourne Beach. Hypothermia likely without protective clothing. Coats and hats are appropriate, consider gloves and a scarf. The NWS in Melbourne recorded gusts to 79 mph winds while observers in Palm Bay and Port Canaveral saw wind gusts of 74 and 76 mph, respectively. Dune crossovers and walkways were torn apart by storm surge. Brevard County Emergency Management will always be the go to source for the latest information on any emergency situation. Caution advised. Caution advised. Causeways to the barrier islands will remain open prior to a storm but will not be safe to travel during a storm and will be closed after a storm has passed while the Florida Department of Transportation inspects to make sure the bridges are safe to travel on. Just a few miles south, in Satellite Beach and Brevard County's southern beaches, the scene was far different. After a decade of legal wrangling,in late October 1999, the federal government offered a 50-year beach renourishment project and a $5 million settlement to the property owners. 4. From the beginning of the official Atlantic hurricane record in 1851 to 1899, there were 12years without a known tropical cyclone affecting the state. Outdoor activity is extraordinarily dangerous and life threatening. Brevard County government facilities and operations and Space Coast beaches have taken a hit totaling more than $37 million from Hurricane Irma, preliminary estimates show. Hypothermia likely without protective clothing. If you live on a barrier island, plan to be without utility services during and after a storm. If youre living in Florida, hurricanes are always a threat. . Outdoor activity is extremely dangerous and life threatening. Older adults, infants, and those with sensitive medical conditions, should minimize outdoor activity and stay indoors in air conditioning or a well-ventilated area away from direct sun exposure. Doing so could save your life. manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. The warmth the large bodies of water can hold is what meteorologists call "ocean heat content," and it is essential to the formation of tropical storms and hurricanes. Visit floridatoday.com/subscribe. The system has now been downgraded to a tropical storm.