Tampa Bay Area Flood Watch Extended

TAMPA BAY, FL — The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for most Tampa Bay area counties through 8 p.m. Wednesday night.

According to the agency, a trough of low pressure over the area will continue to dump rain on already saturated areas. The extended flood watch pertains to Sarasota, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties. Pasco County has been removed from the watch, but forecasters warned residents still make experience rainfall in the Land O' Lakes and New Port Richey areas over the next few days.

As for areas where the flood watch remains, “some very heavy rainfall will be possible with additional 1 to 3 inch rainfall amounts possible,” the agency noted in its flood watch statement Tuesday afternoon. A flood watch is issued when the potential for flooding exists based on current forecasts.

Localized street flooding has been reported across Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties since Tropical Storm Colin pass through the area Monday. Residents who live along rivers and in areas prone to flooding are asked to be ready to move to higher ground should flooding occur.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the forecast called for a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon hours. A 40 percent chance of storms is forecast for much of the Tampa Bay area throughout Wednesday with a 60 percent chance of storms on Thursday. More rain is possible on Friday, as well, according to the weather service.

Rain chances linger throughout the weekend.

For an extended forecast in your neighborhood, visit your local Patch's home page.

How has your neighborhood fared with all the rain? Let us know by commenting below!

Photo of flooding in Largo courtesy of the Largo Police Department