West Central Florida Hit by Multiple Flood Advisories as Heavy Rains Persist
Thunderstorms dropped up to 4 inches of rain across west central Florida, triggering multiple flood warnings as minor flooding hits communities from Pinellas to Citrus counties.
BRADENTON, FLORIDA — Heavy thunderstorms brought up to 4 inches of rain across west central Florida over the past two days, leading to multiple flood advisories from the National Weather Service as minor flooding affected low-lying areas from Pinellas County to Citrus County.
The National Weather Service Tampa Bay office issued the latest flood advisory at 3:28 AM Wednesday for Manatee County, warning residents of ongoing minor flooding expected to continue until 5:00 AM. Doppler radar indicated between 1 and 2.5 inches of rain had already fallen, with an additional 1 to 2 inches expected.
“Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area,” according to the National Weather Service advisory, which specifically named Bradenton, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Cortez and Whitney Beach as locations experiencing flooding.
Pinellas County Sees Heaviest Rainfall
Earlier Wednesday morning, Pinellas County received the most severe rainfall totals, with between 1 and 3 inches falling before the advisory expired at 3:30 AM. The weather service warned of additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches over areas including Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Bay Pines, West And East Lealman, South Highpoint, Feather Sound, Gulfport, Treasure Island, Kenneth City, South Pasadena, Madeira Beach and Highpoint.
The flooding pattern began Monday evening in central Florida counties. At 10:45 PM Monday, the National Weather Service issued advisories for Sumter, Citrus and Hernando counties after Doppler radar showed between 2 and 4 inches of rain had fallen. Communities affected included Inverness, Homosassa Springs, Beverly Hills, Black Diamond, Crystal River Airport, Inverness Highlands North, Homosassa, Inverness Highlands South, Inverness Airport, North Weeki Wachee, Pine Island, Hernando, Sugarmill Woods, Lecanto, Crystal Oaks, Leisure Acres, Green Acres, Brent Wood, Citrus Hills and Pine Ridge.
Severe Weather Warnings Issued
The weather system also produced severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings. On Monday at 7:06 PM, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southern Sumter County, eastern Pasco County and southeastern Hernando County until 7:30 PM, with 60 mph wind gusts reported near Dade City.
A tornado warning was issued Sunday at 5:36 PM for northwestern Manatee County and south central Hillsborough County after radar detected rotation in a severe thunderstorm over Parrish, 11 miles northeast of Palmetto. The storm moved north at 15 mph toward Ruskin.
Earlier flood advisories on Monday evening affected Hillsborough and Pasco counties, with communities including Zephyrhills, Dade City, St. Leo, Zephyrhills North, Zephyrhills South, Zephyrhills West, Richland, Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, Crystal Springs, Dade City North, Saint Leo and Kathleen receiving 1 to 3 inches of rainfall.
Safety Recommendations
The National Weather Service advises residents to avoid driving through flooded roadways and to stay informed about changing weather conditions. All advisories included references to flood safety information available at the weather service website.
Minor flooding typically affects low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage systems, according to the National Weather Service advisories issued throughout the storm system’s passage across west central Florida.
