The newest tropical system took shape over the Gulf of Mexico, just off the coast of Florida, late on Wednesday afternoon and was set to make landfall almost as quickly as it formed.
The National Hurricane Center’s 4:00 advisory puts the tropical storm about 90 miles (150 kilometers) west-southwest of Apalachicola, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph).
Mindy is moving to the northeast at 21 mph (33 kph). Although the center of the storm was offshore, tropical downpours were already soaking parts of the Southeast.
Tropical Storm warnings have been issued along the coast of Florida from Mexico Beach, Florida, to Steinhatchee River. Due to Mindy’s proximity to land, damaging winds are not expected to be a substantial threat.
On the forecast track, Mindy is expected to make landfall along the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday night and will track across northern Florida and southern Georgia on Thursday.
Tropical-storm-force winds will extend outward from the center of Mindy for 35 miles (55 kilometers). A few isolated tornadoes are possible over portions of the Florida Panhandle this evening into tomorrow.
According to Accu-Weather, A plume of moisture associated with Mindy will continue to contribute to drenching showers and thunderstorms over the southeastern U.S. into Friday. Downpours can be intense and persistent enough to bring 3-6 inches of rain and flash flooding to some communities through the end of the week.
