But if it gets caught on the north coast of Cuba, the storm could slow down and weaken, he said. This morning, Debby was just north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, moving west-northwest towards the Bahamas and Florida. The Bahamas began sending soldiers to several southern islands on Tuesday and planned to send more to other islands today to prepare for the storm. Florida Prepares Miami has so far seen only a few light showers, but residents who remember the devastation of Hurricane Andrew eight years ago are taking this weaker storm seriously. Floridians are stocking up on food, water, batteries, and plywood to board up windows.
Emergency managers suggest a two-week supply of food per person and per pet.
Officials are telling people to listen to weather reports, but that they don't know how hard the storm will hit. If Floridians want hurricane insurance, they better act fast. The state's largest storm insurer, the Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association, will stop offering policies when the storm passes west of a line roughly at the Haiti-Dominican Republic border, which Debby is expected to hit this afternoon. Other insurers will shut down new sales either when the storm crosses that line or when the National Weather Service declares a hurricane watch or warning, said Sam Miller of the Florida Insurance Council. Banks require most coastal homes to have hurricane and flood insurance.