Authorities warn of impacts on Floridians from approaching Gulf storm system

By Eric Daugherty

Published Dec. 15, 2023, 11:16 a.m. ET | Updated Dec. 15, 2023

View of the Gulf of Mexico, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo/National Hurricane Center)

MIAMI – The Florida Division of Emergency Management warned residents to bring in potential debris from outside Florida homes and buildings ahead of an approaching low pressure storm system in the Gulf of Mexico.

Floridians should prepare now for strong wind gusts this weekend due to impacts from the Gulf Low system.

🪴 Reduce the amount of potential debris around your home now by bringing lawn furniture, plants, decorations & other items indoors.

If you can pick it up, put it up! pic.twitter.com/9eYSaBjE6k
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) December 15, 2023

The National Weather Service said the system’s impacts will move in onto the western coast of Florida by Saturday night.

The service also forecasted a level 2, or “slight” risk of severe weather for around the southern half of the state, as of Friday afternoon. The rest of Florida is mostly under a level 1 risk; however, these risk levels could change.

The rest of most of Florida has a level 1, or “marginal” risk of severe weather.

The low pressure system could bring “damaging dusts and a few tornadoes,” the National Weather Service said.

Both the American and European weather models expect a near 1,000 or lower millibar pressure system, which is in the typical expected range for a tropical storm; though, this storm is not tropical.