Officials in Citrus County, Florida, are closely monitoring the storm surge brought by Hurricane Debby, as the community continues to recover from the flooding caused by Hurricane Idalia a year ago.
Citrus County Commissioner Jeff Kinnard mentioned that there are similarities between Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Idalia, but fortunately, Debby seems to be less intense. Debby, a Category 1 hurricane, made landfall near Steinhatchee, just 9 miles southeast of where the more powerful Category 3 Hurricane Idalia hit on August 30, 2023.
Residents in Citrus County, located south of Steinhatchee on Florida's Gulf Coast, have been in the process of repairing the extensive flood damage caused by Idalia. Kinnard expressed hope that the storm surge from Debby would not exceed 3 to 5 feet to prevent significant water damage to homes.
Following the passage of the storm, efforts will focus on restoring power and bringing in debris cleaning crews to address the aftermath. Kinnard emphasized the preparedness of the city and officials, stating that they are ready to respond effectively to the situation and are optimistic about the outcome.