Irma weakens, but Tampa Bay still feels its power
TAMPA (FOX 13) - As Tropical Storm Irma's leaves Tampa Bay, residents are still feeling its effects.
Irma downgraded to a tropical storm by 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Although it has weakened, FOX 13's meteorologists and local officials advise you to continue to stay indoors due to dangerous winds. The center of the storm stayed on a northern track when it made landfall in Marco Island on Sunday. The eye has passed, but now residents need to worry about tropical force winds and wave heights.
"Remember those crazy pictures of Tampa Bay pretty much naked and cleared out from the northeast winds? well, now we have winds from the opposite side," said FOX 13's meteorologist Lindsay Milbourne.
Here is a breakdown what Tampa Bay can expect on Monday:
Southern counties (Manatee and Sarasota)
Tropical force wind gusts
Storm surge of 3 to 5 feet
Spotty showers
Central counties (Hillsborough and Pinellas)
Tropical force winds
Storm surge of 2 to 4 feet
Scattered showers
Interior counties (Polk, Hardee, Desoto and Highlands)
Tropical force winds
Freshwater flooding
Scattered rain
Northern counties (Citrus, Hernando and Pasco)
Wind gusts up to 60 mph or more
Storm surge of 4 to 6 feet
Scattered rain