Hurricane Watch Goes Up in Parts of Tampa Bay Area

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — As Tropical Depression Nine makes a slow approach toward Florida’s west coast, the National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane and tropical storm watches. A hurricane watch is now in effect from the Anclote River area to Indian Pass. A tropical storm watch is also in effect for Indian Pass north to the Walton/Bay County line.

A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area within 48 hours. A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours.

As of Tuesday at 11 p.m., the storm was located about 410 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola. It was moving north-northwest at 2 mph and packing maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

The depression is expected to gain tropical storm status by early Wednesday morning. It is expected to make landfall along the west coast of Florida or near the Panhandle on Thursday evening. Once it cuts across the Sunshine State, the storm is expected to pass through Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina on Friday before heading into the Atlantic.

On Tuesday morning, forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Ruskin office warned residents of the entire Tampa Bay area to keep a close watch on this storm as it develops and nears Florida’s west coast.

“In addition to the heavy rain and flooding threat, increased wind shear within the atmosphere will bring an increased risk of tornadoes during late Wednesday through Thursday,” forecasters wrote in Tuesday morning’s Hazardous Weather Outlook report for Tampa Bay. “The increasing south to southwest wind flow will also support an increasing storm surge threat along the coast.”

The storm is anticipated to bring 4 to 6 inches of rain to interior counties and between 6 to 10 inches along the coastal area from Sarasota north to Cedar Key.

To find out more about hurricane season and storm preparation in the Tampa Bay area, read these related Patch stories:

• Hurricane Season 2016: Where To Find Local Information
• 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released
• Hurricane Season: How to Prepare
• 2016 Hurricane Names: Is Yours On the List?
• Tampa Bay 'Ripe for Disaster,' Hurricane Experts Say

To keep up with storm activity as the season develops, bookmark the National Hurricane Center’s website and keep an eye on your hometown Patch site for local information.

Image courtesy of the National Hurricane Center