The storm heading towards Florida strengthened into a hurricane | News in brief

Florida and Georgia are already preparing for the arrival of the hurricane.

In the United States, the tropical storm named Debby has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on Monday morning Finnish time, according to meteorologists.

The storm is moving slowly in the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida and it is feared that it will cause devastating floods in at least Florida, South Carolina and Georgia if it continues on its predicted path.

Officials are already urging residents to prepare for heavy rains and floods in these states. In Florida, at its worst, the storm can cause two-meter flash floods when it makes landfall.

In Savannah, Georgia, residents filled sandbags and hoarded food and water on Sunday.

After making landfall in Florida, the storm is estimated to settle over the coastal areas of South Carolina and Georgia. The storm is estimated to produce record amounts of rain there, up to 76 centimeters.

AP, Reuters

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