Hurricane Debby

The Gainesville area could see tropical storm force winds as early as Wednesday night as Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 heads to Florida, according to the National Weather Service.

The analysis, which looked at the effects of the storm in Florida and other states, said insured losses for the private insurance market and the National Flood Insurance Program likely will total $1 billion to $2 billion.

Despite flooding, high winds and a power outage that lasted until Tuesday afternoon, many residents in this island city along the Gulf of Mexico were grateful the storm was not as severe as Hurricane Idalia, which devastated the area last fall.

Monday’s hurricane Debby brought heavy rains to Clay County, causing water levels in Black Creek to jump more than fifteen feet in 24 hours.

Debby will continue to bring storms with flash flooding possible Tuesday

Debby will move slowly and it is large. Rainbands will continue to affect Florida through the middle of the week, with periods of drier air.

Hurricane Debby is in Florida causing torrential rains and strong winds. It will lose wind speeds as it moves over land, but also forward speed. Major flooding expected.

Click here to find the latest on school and government office closings, flood warnings and damage reports across north central Florida.

Florida could see six to 12 inches of rain, with isolated amounts as high as 18 inches, and coastal areas in Georgia and South Carolina could be hit even harder.