Severe weather possible in Tampa Bay area starting Tuesday
TAMPA, Fla. - FOX 13 meteorologists are tracking and anticipating some severe weather arriving in Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
According to Jim Weber, Tampa and some surrounding areas are under slight risk of severe weather, including strong gusty winds and the possibility of a few isolated tornadoes.
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Weber said mid to late afternoon is when he expects the storms to start making their way through our area. Thirty to 40 mile-per-hour winds are possible with the storms, with 40 to 50 mile-per-hour gusts.
Chief Meteorologist Paul Dellegatto added that the worst weather appears to be coming from 3 to 9 p.m.
Significant coastal flooding is also possible with the severe weather on Tuesday. Coastal Flood Warnings are in effect all across the Gulf Coast from 10 a.m. on Tuesday to 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
St. Pete city officials say there is potential for around two to three feet of coastal flooding in St. Pete's low-lying areas come Tuesday evening.
Sand Bag Locations
Some places in the area are offering sandbags to residents as the weather gears up for Tuesday.
Pinellas County
Sandbags are available to the public until 6 p.m. on Monday at the following locations in the city of St. Petersburg:
- Stormwater Pavement Traffic Operations Building, 1744 9th Ave. N.
- Mangrove Bay Golf Course, 875 62nd Ave. NE
- Lake Maggiore Shelter Area, 3601 Dr. MLK St. S
Sandbags will be available starting at 3 p.m. at Joe DiMaggio Park in Clearwater on Monday. Residents are encouraged to bring their own supplies and are expected to provide some bags on Tuesday.
Sand is available on Monday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center in Gulfport, at 1617 49th Street South. There is a 10-bag limit, and proof of residency may be required.
Dunedin will also offer sandbags at the City of Dunedin Highlander Park parking lot, at 903 Michigan Blvd. on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to noon. There is a limit of 15 bags per resident, and you must show a proof of residency: driver's license or recent utility bill.
Pasco County
Pasco County has opened two self-serve sandbag locations in anticipation of heavy rain moving through.
- San Antonio: Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn), at 30908 Warder Road
- New Port Richey: Magnolia Valley Golf Course, at 7223 Massachusetts Ave.
Hernando County
One sandbag location will be open on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
- Spring Hill: Linda Pedersen Park, at 6400 Shoal Line Blvd.
Manatee County
Manatee County is making sandbags available at Coquina Beach, Manatee Beach, and the Utilities Department will have self-serve starting at 2 p.m.
- Manatee Beach (Self-Service Location): 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
- Rubonia Community Center (Self-Service Location): 1309 72nd St E, Palmetto, FL 34221
- Coquina Beach (Self-Service Location): 1465 Gulf Drive South, Bradenton Beach, FL, 34217
- 66th St. W Fleet Building (Self-Service Location): 4700 66th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34210
Closures
Citrus County
The Citrus County School District announced schools will be on a half-day schedule for Tuesday due to anticipated major weather entering the area. All after-school programs and extracurricular activities are canceled as well.
Elementary will dismiss at 12:35 p.m., Middle Schools at 11:20 a.m., and High Schools at 11:40 a.m.
Pasco County
- The Pasco County School District announced all schools and district offices will be closed on Tuesday in response to anticipated severe weather. District officials said they anticipate schools resuming normal operations on Wednesday. The school district released the following statement, in part, about the closure:
- All Pasco-Hernando State College campuses will close on Tuesday. Normal operations are expected to resume on Wednesday unless otherwise notified.