Tropical Storm Debby disrupts operations in some Florida ports

The storm made landfall on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane in Florida's Big Bend region, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

PHOTO: Cruise ships at Port Miami in Florida during sunset. Getty Images

Tropical storm warnings cover western and northern Florida, extending into southern Georgia and coastal South Carolina. These regions are expected to experience tropical storm conditions, with sustained winds ranging from 39 to 73 mph, continuing through today.

Initially, the US Coast Guard (USCG) had declared "port condition ZULU" for Port Tampa Bay due to Hurricane Debby, which meant the port was closed to all vessel traffic. This condition is declared when gale-force winds are expected within 12 hours. With the storm now passed, "port condition ZULU" has been lifted, allowing vessel operations to resume, albeit with some restrictions to ensure safety.

The USCG has set "port condition YANKEE" for Jacksonville, which means the port is now closed for incoming vessel traffic due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions.

For the port of Fernandina, located in the northeastern part of Florida, the USCG has set "port condition X-Ray," allowing the port to remain open for vessel traffic.

Meanwhile, the Port of Savannah in Georgia has been closed since yesterday evening in anticipation of the storm's impact.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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