Florida braced for hurricane double-whammy

Two hurricanes could strike Florida on the same day – something meteorologists say they have never seen.

“It’s almost unheard of,” state meteorologist Ben Nelson said.

Disaster officials are keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Bonnie as it spins toward the Florida Panhandle, bringing heavy rain that could cause flooding.

The other eye is trained on Hurricane Charley, aimed at the Florida Keys at the opposite end of the state.

Bonnie was expected to come ashore southwest of Tallahassee today, with Charley hitting the Keys later today or tomorrow morning. Charley could hit the mainland later tomorrow.

Florida emergency officials have faced large storms and wildfires in the past, but officials say the storm systems will test their skills, making it difficult to track both.

“We’ve had experience dealing with different disasters running at the same time,” said Craig Fugate, the state’s emergency management director. “It is more work but it is something that this team’s designed to do.”

The last time two tropical storms struck Florida within days of each other was in 2000, when Gordon hit west-central Florida on September 17 after being downgraded as a hurricane. Days later, Helene slammed the Panhandle.

The only time two tropical systems have hit Florida within 12 hours was in 1906.

Officials say that this time, each county is managing its own response, with help from the state. About 8,000 Florida National Guard members were available to help with the aftermath.