Hurricane Debby makes landfall in Florida as Category 1 storm: Live

The storm came ashore near the coastal town of Steinhatchee in Taylor County, Florida, at approximately 7.00am EDT, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The NHC has warned of major flooding and “life-threatening” storm surge as bands of rain sweep across the region.

The storm is predicted to move slowly across the Sunshine State with as much as 20 inches of rain expected to cause flooding as Debby shifts north.

“You’re talking about catastrophic flooding,” Jamie Rhome, the deputy director of the Hurricane Center, told the BBC.

More than 200,000 homes and businesses have been left without power at the time the storm made landfall.

Georgia and South Carolina are expected to be hit by the torrential conditions in coming days.

The landfall is within 20 miles of Hurricane Idalia’s landfall in August last year, which came ashore in the Big Bend of Florida as a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds.

Hurricane Debby has made landfall in Florida, with the Category 1 storm bringing risks of life-threatening storm surge and major flooding to the Big Bend region.

The National Hurricane Center announced at around 7am ET on Monday that Debby had made landfall near Steinhatchee with winds of 80 mph.

Hundreds of flights either arriving to or departing from Florida were grounded on Monday as Hurricane Debby is expected to make landfall imminently.

Data from FlightAware shows almost 90 cancelled flights at Orlando International Airport, more than 60 cancellations at Tampa International Airport and over 50 flights cancelled at Charleston international Airport.

Additionally, 186 flights were cancelled at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon. Almost 250 landings and takeoffs were delayed, FlightAware’s data shows.

Approximately 210,000 homes and businesses have been left without power across Florida as the state braces for Hurricane Debby to make landfall on Monday morning.

It marks a jump of almost 90,000 locations that have lost power in just two hours, according to data from PowerOutages.com.

Regions sitting on the Big Bend appear to be the worst impacted, with more than 80 per cent of Lafayette without power, data suggests.

It comes as the National Hurricane Center declared that the storm is “very near landfall” in the Big Bend.

Joe Biden has ordered federal assistance to bolster response efforts in Florida as the president declares an “emergency” in the Sunshine State.

The Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency have been called upon to coordinate disaster relief efforts as Storm Debby is expected to make landfall on Monday morning.

The National Hurricane Center has warned that weather conditions pose a “danger to life”.

They will assist local response teams with both evacuation efforts and shelter support.

John Brogan of FEMA has been appointed to coordinate operations in the affected areas, according to a statement from the White House on Sunday.

The National Weather service has given a new tornado watch update which predicts almost 11.7m Florida and Georgia residents could be exposed to tornadoes.

The alert issued at 6.00am EDT covers areas ranging from Sarasota, Florida, to Savannah, Georgia. The regions are also exposed to 70mph isolated gusts, although no hail is expected.

Additionally, 2,287 schools and 158 hospitals are potentially in the path of tornadoes. The alert is in effect until 4.00pm EDT.

The National Hurricane Center warned that, as of around 5am ET, Debby has sustained winds of up to 80mph and is located just 40 miles from Cedar Key.

Myriam Page has the story.

The National Weather Service has issued several watches and warnings throughout the southeast US as Tropical Storm Debby approaches.

A warning, such as a Hurricane Warning or Storm Surge Warning, means residents should take immediate protective action.

“A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property,” the NWS writes.

Meanwhile, a watch means residents should prepare for extreme weather. These may be issued when meteorologists don’t know the exact timing and severity of the event.

“ People should have a plan of action in case a storm threatens and they should listen for later information and possible warnings especially when planning travel or outdoor activities,” the NWS writes.