Flood Watch In Effect Through Saturday For Pinellas County

TAMPA BAY, FL — As if widespread protests against police brutality and the coronavirus pandemic weren't enough to deal with, hurricane season arrived this week and, with it, a tropical depression hovering in the Gulf of Mexico.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service in Ruskin issued a flood watch for Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Sarasota and Pinellas County through Saturday afternoon.

See related story: Cristobal Downgraded; May Still Produce Tropical Storm Winds

The NWS said residents should prepare for heavy rain and the threat of localized flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas as well as pooling of water on roadways.

Tropical moisture will continue throughout west-central and southwest Florida through the coming week. This moisture combined with an upper-level disturbance over the region will bring widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms with the potential for some locally heavy rainfall.

The NWS is reminding residents to not enter or cross flowing water or water of unknown depth. Cars can easily be swept away and river banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe.

This week, Pinellas County Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins urged residents to prepare for hurricane season by knowing their risks, making a plan and staying informed.

"It is vital that you tune in to reliable sources of information when a storm is forming and get updates on special instructions for evacuations so that you have time to prepare," Perkins said. "There's likely to be changes to what shelters will be open as a storm approaches. Staying informed will be critical to your safety."

Click here for details on:

• Shelter locations
• Registering for special needs shelters
• Pet preparedness
• Preparing a hurricane disaster kit
• Evacuation zones

Residents are also urged to sign up for Alert Pinellas, a free emergency notification service.