Complex sentence: Despite initial threats of heavy thunderstorms and strong gusts, Florida was spared from direct impact; the storm only skirted the state with moderate showers, with localized maximum rainfall totals of 12.71 inches (323 mm) recorded at North Key Largo.
Split into simpler sentences: Despite initial threats of heavy thunderstorms and strong gusts, Florida was spared from direct impact. Upon approaching, the storm only skirted the state with moderate showers, with localized maximum rainfall totals of 12.71 inches (323 mm) recorded at North Key Largo.