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Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Florida has no formal hurricane plan for Alligator Alcatraz
After weeks of requests from politicians and media, the state of Florida said it has no formal, completed plan for how to handle a hurricane at Alligator Alcatraz, the new immigrant detention site in the heart of the Everglades. Two weeks ago, the Miami Herald requested 'the completed hurricane/disaster plan for Alligator Alcatraz' from the Florida Department of Emergency Management. On Monday, department spokesperson Stephanie Hartman confirmed that no such record exists. 'There are no responsive records for this request,' she said in an email. This comes after a Friday press conference at the detention facility, where Gov. Ron DeSantis and FDEM head Kevin Guthrie issued a hearty defense of the state's ability to protect staff and detainees in the event of a disaster. Guthrie said his team had visited several prisons around the state to explore options for evacuating detainees there, but didn't commit to any specific plan. The governor has repeatedly said the tents and trailers at the site are equipped to handle hurricane winds to Category 2 strength — up to 110 mph — and that people onsite would have to be evacuated if more intense winds were expected. The facility already relies on generators for on-site power. Neither Guthrie nor the governor mentioned anythign about flood risks at the site, which already had water seeping into the air conditioned tents where detainees are housed after a particularly heavy rainstorm on opening day. 'I promise you that the hurricane guys have got the hurricane stuff covered,' Guthrie said. The lack of formal plans worries the facility's nearest neighbors, the Miccosukee Tribe, which wants to join a lawsuit to close Alcatraz on environmental grounds. Curtis Osceola, senior executive policy adviser for the Miccosukee Tribe, called the lack of plan 'reckless.' The tribe's housing, which surrounds the site, is made of rebar-reinforced concrete. It has 'extensive emergency management and evacuation plans,' including a shelter for tribal members in the strongest building in their complex. The hurricane plan is refreshed every year, Osceola said. Flooding is a perpetual issue during storms, he said. After Hurricane Irma dropped almost two feet of water on Big Cypress in 2017, the tribe needed pumps to keep the village dry, he said. Gladesmen in the area have reported that during particularly heavy rainstorms, even outside of hurricanes, rain can pile up and inundate the runway on the site, he said. 'If there are no plans, it certainly puts lives at risk during one of the most dangerous and unpredictable times of year for Florida,' he said. 'Everything about this just shows how poorly planned this was, and now that we're seeing there's no hurricane plan, it's proof positive that this was not thought through beyond making headlines.'
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
‘What are they hiding?' Florida lawmakers shut out of Alligator Alcatraz
In a surprising and possibly unlawful act, five state legislators were denied entry Thursday into a taxpayer-funded migrant detention center deep in the Everglades, raising questions about what will happen behind the razor-wire fences that are being erected surrounding the controversial facility the state has named Alligator Alcatraz. Armed only with state law and a growing list of humanitarian concerns, state Senators Shevrin Jones and Carlos Guillermo Smith, along with Representatives Anna V. Eskamani, Angie Nixon and Michele Rayner, arrived at the gates of the facility to conduct what they saw as a legally authorized inspection. What they encountered instead was silence, locked doors and a bureaucratic wall. The state's shifting justification for not letting them in — first a flat denial, then vague 'safety concerns' — only fueled suspicions. 'This is a blatant abuse of power and an attempt to conceal human rights violations from the public eye,' the legislators said in a joint statement. 'If the facility is unsafe for elected officials to enter, then how can it possibly be safe for those being detained inside?' Just hours earlier, Republican officials and even former President Donald Trump had toured the same site without issue. When the lawmakers attempted to speak with Florida Department of Emergency Management officials by phone, the call was abruptly cut off. Now, with reports of flooding, extreme heat and detainees allegedly being held without due process, legislators say the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis administration is operating a secretive, $450 million detention network with no oversight— and no regard for the law. The state legislators Michele Rayner arrived at the site to conduct what they said was a lawful inspection under Florida Statutes 944.23 and 951.225, which grant legislators access to state-operated detention centers without advance notice. Instead of transparency, they were met with locked gates and silence. Under Florida law, members of the Legislature have the clear right to access any state-run detention facility, including prisons and jails, without needing prior approval or notification. That legal mandate was ignored, according to Representative Michele Rayner, a civil rights attorney who represents parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. 'For two hours, we waited. We cited the law. We cited the press release announcing our visit. Still, we were denied,' said Rayner. 'They cited 'safety concerns,' even though just hours earlier President Trump and GOP lawmakers had toured the very same facility.' Rayner said that when she asked whether she could visit a client being detained inside, she was again refused—contradicting statements made to her moments earlier by Florida Department of Emergency Management officials. When legislators tried to clarify the denial with the agency's general counsel and legislative affairs director, the call was abruptly disconnected. 'This is America right now,' Rayner said. 'And everyone should be concerned.' The delegation's visit came just one day after migrants were transferred into the detention center despite flooding caused by ongoing summer storms. Lawmakers say they've received reports of extreme heat, poor infrastructure, and a lack of mosquito protection, conditions they say that may be endangering the health and safety of detainees. 'I was bitten by insects as soon as I got here. My lips started to swell. And I'm outside for just a few minutes,' said Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville. 'Imagine what it's like for the people inside who don't have bug spray or clean bedding.' Nixon expressed particular concern over reports in the Miami Herald that pregnant women and children could be housed in the facility. 'We're spending $450 million on this while refusing to expand Medicaid and closing public schools in Duval County,' she said. 'This is not about public safety—it's about cruelty as campaign theater.' Smith did not mince words, calling the site a 'makeshift immigrant detainment camp in the middle of the Everglades swamp,' built through no-bid contracts awarded to major Republican campaign donors. 'This isn't about detaining dangerous criminals,' Smith said. 'It's about detaining housekeepers, cooks, and immigrants who had legal status five minutes ago—until it was stripped away by policy.' Smith referenced a Miami Herald story that revealed the state may bring pregnant women and children to the site, despite public claims that the facility was intended for 'the worst of the worst.' ICE data shows that fewer than 10% of current immigration detainees in Florida have any violent criminal history, and the majority had no prior offenses. 'We're detaining vulnerable people for political spectacle,' Smith said. 'And it's not a coincidence this facility was unveiled just days after our legislative session ended—avoiding any real oversight.' Jones added that the facility, built with $450 million in state funds, does not qualify for federal support. 'The federal government has said this facility is ineligible for grants,' he said. 'That means it's 100% on Florida taxpayers—and it was done without a single committee hearing or floor debate.' Jones emphasized that both Democratic and Republican lawmakers should be concerned. 'This is not a partisan issue,' he said. 'We have a duty to ensure that state-funded operations uphold basic standards of decency and legality.' Rep. Anna Eskamani from Orlando described the detention center as a 'political stunt' orchestrated by DeSantis. 'Hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are being spent to build what is essentially a concentration camp,' she said. 'This is government by press conference and no-bid contract.' Eskamani said reports indicate that the first detainees arrived without due process, and flooding had already compromised parts of the facility. 'We're here because the people of Florida deserve transparency. What is being hidden behind these walls?' All five lawmakers said they plan to pursue legal remedies and initiate legislative inquiries into the construction, contracting, and operation of Alligator Alcatraz. They also demanded that the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the governor's office provide a full accounting of who is detained at the facility, what conditions exist inside, and which companies received contracts—particularly those with political ties to the DeSantis administration. 'This is not over,' said Smith. 'We will be back, and we will not stop until we get the answers Floridians deserve.'
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Chances increase slightly for tropical development over Fourth of July. See Florida impact
Chances for something tropical developing over or near Florida in the coming days increased while you slept. There's now a 40% chance for a tropical or subtropical depression forming over the next seven days if an area of low pressure develops in the southeastern Atlantic or Gulf by the holiday weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center. ➤ Track all active storms ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Regardless of development, the system could bring up to 6 inches of rain to some portions of Florida through the Fourth of July weekend, according to the National Weather Service. The next named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be Chantal. In the eastern Pacific, Hurricane Flossie — now a Category 3 storm with 115 mph winds — is moving west-northwest away from land. Weakening is expected by the end of the day, July2. Here's the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 8 a.m. July 2: An area of low pressure could develop near the southeast U.S. Atlantic or Gulf coasts by this weekend along a weakening frontal boundary, according to the National Hurricane Center. Environmental conditions appear only marginally conducive for some slow development, but a tropical or subtropical depression could form in this region over the weekend or early next week while the system moves little. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible across portions of the southeast U.S., particularly across the west-central Florida coast. Formation chance through 48 hours: low, near 0 percent. Formation chance through 7 days: medium, 40 percent. "Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible across portions of the southeast U.S., particularly across West-Central Florida," the Florida Department of Emergency Management said. "Those heading to the beaches for the holiday weekend from northern Florida and the Alabama and Mississippi panhandles to the Carolinas are urged to monitor the forecast, as there may be rough surf and rip currents and perhaps gusty winds should a tropical depression or storm develop," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert, adding, "We feel the development window is from around July 4 to early next week." Factors helping prevent tropical development include wind shear and dry air, including Saharan dust moving across the Atlantic and into the Gulf. Hurricane Flossie is about 315 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph, with higher gusts. Flossie is a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Little change in strength is forecast this morning, with rapid weakening expected to begin by the end of the day. All coastal watches and warnings have been discontinued. This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. The hatched areas on the National Hurricane Center's tropical outlook map indicate "areas where a tropical cyclone — which could be a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane — could develop," said National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome. The colors make it visibly clear how likely a system could develop, with yellow being low, orange medium, and red high. The National Hurricane Center generally doesn't issue tropical advisories until there is a named storm, but there is an exception. "If a system is near land and there is potential for development, the National Hurricane Center won't wait before it issues advisories, even if the system hasn't become an actual storm. This gives residents time to prepare," Rhome said. Named storms historically develop close to the U.S. in July, especially in the Gulf and off the Atlantic coast between Florida and the Carolinas. Later in the season, tropical storms and hurricanes develop out of tropical waves moving off the coast of Africa. Elsewhere in the tropics, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring five tropical waves, including two in the Caribbean: Tropical wave 1: A tropical wave has an axis along 23W in the eastern Atlantic, from the Cabo Verde Islands southward, moving west at around 11 mph. Tropical wave 2: Another eastern Atlantic tropical wave is along 39W, south of 14N, moving westward around 17 mph. Tropical wave 3: A central Atlantic tropical wave is along 48W, south of 16N, moving westward at 11 to 17 mph. Tropical wave 4: An eastern Caribbean tropical wave is along 66W, south of 16N, moving westward at around 11 mph. Tropical wave 5: A tropical wave that had been in the western Caribbean is now crossing Central America into the eastern Pacific Ocean along 86W. It is moving west at 11 to 17 mph. Florida weather forecast for July 2, 2025 Pensacola, western Panhandle: The best chance for rain today will be along and east of I-65. Highs will be in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Tallahassee, central Panhandle: Wet pattern continues into Wednesday. We're also watching the potential development of a weak low next week, but main concerns with this feature still revolve around heavy rain. Some areas could see an estimated 4 to 6 inches of rain through the holiday weekend, with localized higher amounts possible. High of 89. Jacksonville, North/Northeast Florida: Regardless of tropical cyclone development, flooding rainfall risk increases Friday through the holiday weekend. "We are currently on a 26-day streak of the Jacksonville International Airport measuring a maximum temperature of 90 degrees" or warmer," the National Weather Service Jacksonville posted on X. "This ranks as the 20th longest stretch on record for JAX. This streak will likely continue this week." Daytona Beach to Stuart, East/Central Florida: Some morning sun then increasing clouds with scattered to numerous showers and lightning storms developing. Highs range from 88 in Daytona Beach to 87 in Stuart. West Palm Beach to Naples, South/Southwest Florida: Increasing showers and thunderstorms today may result in localized flooding, especially over east coast metro areas. Expect another warm day with afternoon highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. Fort Myers to Sarasota, West/Southwest Florida: "There remains high uncertainty with this (system with tropical potential) feature, but the main impact is expected to be heavy rainfall locally into the weekend." Highs today range from 89 in Fort Myers to 86 in Sarasota. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said. The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories. The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center. Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include: Tropical cyclone is the generic term used by the National Weather Service, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center for any tropical system, even if it's in the tropical Atlantic basin. To be more precise, a tropical cyclone is a "rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation," NOAA sadi. Once maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, what it is called is determined by where it originated: : for storms in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific. : for storms in the Northwest Pacific. : for storms in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Hurricane center tracks Florida rain impact, tropical development
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NHC still watching system near Florida. Sarasota, Bradenton impact for July 4th weekend
The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a disturbance expected to stall off the southeast coast of the U.S. late this week, which could affect your Fourth of July weekend in Sarasota and Manatee County. As of 2 p.m. on Jul. 1, chances for development over the next seven days are 30%. Warm waters along the eastern Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts could provide the fuel necessary for development of a tropical depression or tropical storm around or just after July 4, AccuWeather said. ➤ Track all active storms ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Regardless of tropical cyclone development, showers and thunderstorms could spoil your holiday weekend at the beach. The next named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be Chantal. "Development may be a bit more likely on the Gulf side, as opposed to the Atlantic side of Florida, but at this point the entire zone is being watched," DaSilva said, "At this time we feel the development window is from around July 4 to early next week." "A frontal boundary is expected to stall and weaken off the southeast U.S. coast late this week," the National Hurricane Center said at 2 p.m. "An area of low pressure could develop from the weakening front by the weekend over the Atlantic waters off the southeast U.S., over Florida, or over the eastern Gulf. "Some gradual tropical or subtropical development could occur thereafter as the low drifts and moves little. "Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible across portions of the southeast U.S., particularly across the west-central Florida coast." Formation chance through 48 hours: low, near 0 percent. Formation chance through 7 days: low, 30 percent. "A cold front will dive off the coast late this week, and it may act as a catalyst for development either in the eastern Gulf or off the Southeast coast," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. "Wind shear, which can inhibit development, is expected to be fairly low and ocean water temperatures in the Gulf are above average which can aid in development in the outlooked area." "Should clustering of thunderstorms and lowering pressure develop enough spin around a center with winds of 35-38 mph, a tropical depression may be born. Waters are warm enough (80 or higher) to allow and sustain tropical development," according to AccuWeather. "This system poses no direct threat to Florida over the next 5-7 days; however, this system could bring locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds and an increased rip current risk along the Gulf or Atlantic Coast later this week and will continue to be monitored closely," the Florida Department of Emergency Management said. "Those heading to the beaches for the holiday weekend from northern Florida and the Alabama and Mississippi panhandles to the Carolinas are urged to monitor the forecast, as there may be rough surf and rip currents and perhaps gusty winds should a tropical depression or storm develop," DaSilva said. Factors helping prevent tropical development include wind shear and dry air, including Saharan dust moving across the Atlantic and into the Gulf. The Fourth of July holiday weekend forecast for Sarasota and Manatee counties from the National Weather Service in Miami as of July 1, 2025: Sarasota County July 4: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Friday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%. July 5: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Saturday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 40%. July 6: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Sunday night, showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Manatee County July 4: Day Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Friday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%. July 5: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 pm. High near 91. East wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Saturday night, showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 8 pm. Low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 80%. July 6: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Sunday night, showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said. The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories. The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center. Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include: Tropical cyclone is the generic term used by the National Weather Service, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center for any tropical system, even if it's in the tropical Atlantic basin. To be more precise, a tropical cyclone is a "rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation," NOAA sadi. Once maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, what it is called is determined by where it originated: : for storms in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific. : for storms in the Northwest Pacific. : for storms in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Download your local site's app to stay connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: NOAA tracking system near Florida: Sarasota July 4th weekend forecast
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NOAA hurricane center watching system near Florida. How it could impact July 4th plans
The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a disturbance expected to stall over or near Florida late this week, which could affect your Fourth of July weekend. By 8 a.m., chances for development over the next seven days had increased slightly, to 30%. Warm waters along the eastern Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts could provide the fuel necessary for development of a tropical depression or tropical storm around or just after July 4, AccuWeather said. ➤ Track all active storms ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location The next named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be Chantal. In the eastern Pacific, Hurricane Flossie continues to strengthen off the coast of southwest Mexico. "Steady to rapid strengthening" is forecast to continue, and Flossie could be a strong Category 2 hurricane — very close to Category 2 strength — within 24 hours. Here's the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 8 a.m. July 1: "Development may be a bit more likely on the Gulf side, as opposed to the Atlantic side of Florida, but at this point the entire zone is being watched," DaSilva said, "At this time we feel the development window is from around July 4 to early next week." A frontal boundary is expected to stall and weaken off the southeast U.S. coast late this week. An area of low pressure could develop from the weakening front by the weekend over the Atlantic waters off the southeast U.S., over Florida, or over the eastern Gulf, the National Hurricane Center said. "Some gradual tropical or subtropical development could occur thereafter as the low drifts and moves little. Formation chance through 48 hours: low, near 0 percent. Formation chance through 7 days: low, 30 percent. "A cold front will dive off the coast late this week, and it may act as a catalyst for development either in the eastern Gulf or off the Southeast coast," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. "Wind shear, which can inhibit development, is expected to be fairly low and ocean water temperatures in the Gulf are above average which can aid in development in the outlooked area." "Should clustering of thunderstorms and lowering pressure develop enough spin around a center with winds of 35-38 mph, a tropical depression may be born. Waters are warm enough (80 or higher) to allow and sustain tropical development," according to AccuWeather. "This system poses no direct threat to Florida over the next 5-7 days; however, this system could bring locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds and an increased rip current risk along the Gulf or Atlantic Coast later this week and will continue to be monitored closely," the Florida Department of Emergency Management said. "Those heading to the beaches for the holiday weekend from northern Florida and the Alabama and Mississippi panhandles to the Carolinas are urged to monitor the forecast, as there may be rough surf and rip currents and perhaps gusty winds should a tropical depression or storm develop," DaSilva said. Factors helping prevent tropical development include wind shear and dry air, including Saharan dust moving across the Atlantic and into the Gulf. Hurricane Flossie continues to strengthen off the coast of southwest Mexico, according to the 6 a.m. CST advisory from the National Hurricane Center. On the forecast track, Flossie should move farther away from southwestern Mexico Tuesday, July 1. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 95 mph, with higher gusts. Steady to rapid strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, with weakening starting by late Wednesday, July 2. The National Hurricane Center predicted maximum sustained winds could reach 110 mph within 24 hours. A Category 3 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph. This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. The hatched areas on the National Hurricane Center's tropical outlook map indicate "areas where a tropical cyclone — which could be a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane — could develop," said National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome. The colors make it visibly clear how likely a system could develop, with yellow being low, orange medium, and red high. The National Hurricane Center generally doesn't issue tropical advisories until there is a named storm, but there is an exception. "If a system is near land and there is potential for development, the National Hurricane Center won't wait before it issues advisories, even if the system hasn't become an actual storm. This gives residents time to prepare," Rhome said. Named storms historically develop close to the U.S. in July, especially in the Gulf and off the Atlantic coast between Florida and the Carolinas. Later in the season, tropical storms and hurricanes develop out of tropical waves moving off the coast of Africa. Elsewhere in the tropics, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring four tropical waves, including two in the Caribbean: Tropical wave 1: An eastern Atlantic tropical wave is along 31W, south of 16N, moving westward at around 17 mph. Tropical wave 2: A central Atlantic tropical wave is along 42W, south of 16N, moving westward at around 17 mph. Tropical wave 3: An eastern Caribbean tropical wave is along 63W, south of 14N, moving westward around 11 mph. Tropical wave 4: A western Caribbean tropical wave is along 80W, south of 19N, moving westward at around 17 mph. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said. The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories. The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center. Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include: Tropical cyclone is the generic term used by the National Weather Service, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center for any tropical system, even if it's in the tropical Atlantic basin. To be more precise, a tropical cyclone is a "rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation," NOAA sadi. Once maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, what it is called is determined by where it originated: : for storms in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific. : for storms in the Northwest Pacific. : for storms in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Hurricane center tracking disturbance near Florida: July 4th outlook
