Wet weather to cause flooding throughout the region
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A very wet weather pattern is expected to continue for parts of Florida and the rest of the Southeast throughout the week ahead. The multiple days of rain that we expect could be heavy at times, resulting in flash flooding and even river flooding in some areas.
Florida’s Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is urging residents and businesses from Tampa to Pensacola to prepare for the heavy rain, The Associated Press reported.
Waves of 2 to 3 feet near shore along the Tampa Bay coastline are also giving rise to rip current concerns. The service said rip currents are possible from Pinellas and Hillsborough counties south to Sarasota.
While heavy rains are anticipated through much of the week, the news isn’t entirely bad. Daily highs are not expected to climb back into the 90-degree range until Wednesday at least. Forecasters anticipate Monday will bring a high around 81 degrees to much of the region. There’s a 70 percent chance of showers in the daytime hours and an 80 percent chance overnight. The evening low should drop to about 75 degrees.
Rain is expected to last over the next three days and to cause extensive flooding throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. The front causing the rain is moving very slowly from the west-north-west and will dump heavy rain throughout the region.
The Nation National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch that will be in effect until Tuesday evening for Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco where localized areas could pick up between 6″ – 8″ inches of rain.
Rain coverage will be between 80% – 100% the highest chances along the coast from Pinellas northward. With this pattern, we will likely see the highest rainfall totals for areas along and west of I-75.
Mostly cloudy skies and several rounds of rain through Wednesday will keep our highs in the mid too upper 80’s.
We start to get back to a more normal pattern but Wednesday. Thursday into the weekend is more normal with highs back too near 90 and more typical afternoon and evening storms.
For those who live in flood prone areas there are a number of locations that are offering sandbags and assistance.
Sandbags are available in Tampa, at three different sites:
Bobby Hicks Pool: 4201 W. Mango Avenue
Barksdale Active Adult Center at MacFarlane Park: 1801 N. Lincoln Avenue
Jackson Heights Community Center: 3310 E. Lake Avenue
In Pasco County, residents can fill sandbags at three locations:
West Pasco Government Center: 7356 State Street, New Port Richey
J.W. Mitchell Park: 4025 Little Road, New Port Richey
Veterans Memorial Park: 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
In Tarpon Springs, sandbags are available at three locations:
Dorsett Park: 500 E. Harrison Street
Splash Park: 508 E. Live Oak Street
Roosevelt Boulevard roundabout at Dodecanese Avenue
In Citrus County, officials have opened two sandbags sites:
4508 S. Grandmarch Avenue, Homosassa
7490 W. Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River
Dorsett Park: 500 E. Harrison Street
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