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Florida Gulf Coast is watching a storm brew

Well, it happened again.

I hope that wherever this update finds you, you are safe and your recovery process is underway from Helene, a storm that is one of the worst hurricane disasters in U.S. history.

The extent of the destruction, particularly in two places near and dear to my heart, Big Bend and Western North Carolina, is immense and difficult to comprehend, even though my hometown of Tallahassee – once again – narrowly escaped the worst of all major hurricanes.

At some point I will write something to put Helene in the proper meteorological and historical context. To be honest, I just can't do it at the moment. I need time and space.

However, I want to briefly address something more pressing after hearing from so many of you via email: the potential for another round of tropical development in the Caribbean and Gulf next week.

I've been eyeing this possibility for a few days but haven't said anything, simply because I didn't want to unnecessarily worry those already traumatized with something that had a low probability of occurring.