As Tropical Storm Debby approached the Gulf of Mexico, residents and officials in the Big Bend region of Florida were preparing for its potential impact. The storm was expected to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, with storm surge and heavy rain predicted. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for parts of Levy, Franklin, and Citrus Counties. Emergency officials were making preparations to warn residents and protect the vulnerable, while some residents were making their own storm preparations. Some expressed concern and anxiety, having experienced the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia less than a year ago. Others, however, seemed less concerned and were making different kinds of preparations. In Cedar Key, motel managers were checking on rooms reserved for a news crew before leaving the island. Meanwhile, individuals in Tarpon Springs, including a couple living in a waterfront home, were relatively unfazed by the approaching storm. Overall, the region was bracing for the potential impact of Debby, with a mix of anxiety, preparation, and nonchalance among its residents.