And according to the National Hurricane Center's predictions Sunday night, the storm is still aimed roughly at South Florida. Though it's only marginally likely the storm will develop into a hurricane, the NHC in Miami says 92L has a 40 percent chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within the next five days — which means South Florida still needs to keep a close watch on the storm as it nears the Bahamas and Florida coast at the end of the week. Earlier this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned that this current hurricane season would likely be far worse than usual.
"Environmental conditions are expected to be unfavorable for development of this system during the next couple of days while it moves west-northwestward at about 15 mph toward the northern Bahamas and southern Florida," the NHC wrote last night. "Conditions could become a little more conducive for development later in the week when the system is near Florida or the adjacent waters of the western Atlantic or eastern Gulf of Mexico."
Remember how hard Tropical Storm Emily nailed downtown Miami and Miami Beach? Well, the area could be in for another round of floods if the storm hits Miami dead-on.
In fact, the South Florida Water Management District announced yesterday it's preparing for above-average rainfall this week by lowering water levels in multiple canals across South Florida to prevent flooding:Not expecting any development from #92L the next 3 days. Will watch near Bahamas in 4-5 days for possible development. Very low chances! pic.twitter.com/mu7cDheEKd
— HurricaneTracker App (@hurrtrackerapp) August 19, 2017
The question, of course, is whether the right conditions exist to help the storm transform into a hurricane. So far, the winds don't seem exactly perfect, but it's worth noting the NHC keeps upping the storm's development chances: Yesterday's 8 p.m. update bumped 92L's tropical-storm probability from 30 to 40 percent.The models bring #92L to Florida, and back to the northeast in the Atlantic. Most models give it tropical storm strength. pic.twitter.com/2NkmfNOyfM
— Kal Tellefsen (@kal_tellefsen) August 20, 2017
In the meantime, portions of Puerto Rico are recovering from getting hammered yesterday. Initial images from the island show floodwater cascading down hills, streaming through first-floor garages, and stranding at least one man's car in a chest-deep deluge:
#92L #92l #invest92 tail hitting hard west coast #PuertoRico pic.twitter.com/OGRzDHNkCK
— EduardoPR (@Eduardo03398512) August 20, 2017
Patillas bajo agua de nuevo por aguaceros ultimas horas.@TelenoticiasPR pic.twitter.com/ubqr8oNLFR
— Jose Esteves (@jestevesT2) August 20, 2017
@adamonzon @DeborahWAPA pic.twitter.com/rwUH4ty4NP
— Jose E. Coriano (@JoseECoriano) August 20, 2017
Anegados sectores Patillas por inundaciones en la parte baja del pueblo.@TelenoticiasPR pic.twitter.com/8YqfB7WsbJ
— Jose Esteves (@jestevesT2) August 20, 2017
Depending upon the storm's path and intensity, it could pose yet another test for the anti-flooding pump system Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine has spearheaded. During the multiday shellacking Tropical Storm Emily gave the barrier island, the pump system was overwhelmed: Rain fell faster than the pumps were designed to handle, and a few of the pumps lost power in the middle of the storm. (An engineer warned New Times last year this would happen.) In response, Levine emergency-ordered back-up power generators for the stations. The incoming tropical disturbance could put the pumps to the test yet again.@DeborahWAPA @rcortestv2 @yaralizls @EliRobainaTV @NadeshaWAPA @NadeshaKarina @elclimapr @aorengo @adamonzon @JorgeGelpi
— José Armando Soto (@JoseSot36824832) August 20, 2017
Mayagüez pic.twitter.com/ldsulZGIap