Potential tropical storm could deluge Florida's west coast, forecast says
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The NHC's 11am Friday forecast cone. Image: National Hurricane Center
Forecasters say a weather system moving across Cuba early Friday will likely become a tropical storm as it moves into the Gulf, with the potential for heavy rain across Florida's west coast this weekend.
Why it matters: Tampa Bay has been placed under a state of emergency and a tropical storm watch, as the National Hurricane Center warns that the system could cause widespread flooding.
The latest: In its 11am forecast, the NHC's storm track projected the system approaching Tampa Bay as a tropical storm by 8am Sunday, before passing through the Big Bend and northeast across the state.
- "Coastal flooding is possible along portions of the west coast of
Florida over the weekend," the advisory said. - If it develops as expected, the system would become Tropical Storm Debby.
Yes, but: Because the storm is expected to move "almost parallel" to the west coast, a small shift in its track could cause major changes in which coastal areas are most affected, NHC said.
Zoom in: Local governments on Friday morning announced sandbag distribution sites, including:
St. Petersburg
- Full-service sandbag sites: Lake Maggiore Park, 3601 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. S.; Northeast Park, 955 62nd Ave. N.; Northwest Swimming Pool, 2331 60th St. N.
- Self-service sites: Dell Homes Park, 2741 22nd St. S.; Fossil Park, 6875 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. N.; Walter Fuller Soccer Field, 2800 75th St. N.
- Sites are open 7am-7pm Friday and Saturday. Households are limited to 10 bags and will need proof of residency.
Hillsborough County
- Sandbags are available until 7pm Friday and 9am-2pm Saturday.
- Sites: Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City; E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. N.W., Ruskin; Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Dr., Tampa; Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St. Tampa.
Dunedin
- Pre-filled sandbags are available at Highlander Park, 903 Michigan Blvd. Noon-7pm Friday. Proof of residency required.
Pinellas Park
- A drive-thru sandbag site will be at 6151 78th Ave N. until 7pm Friday. Limit 10 sandbags; proof of residency required.