FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT
Many counties in Tampa Bay are under a flood watch through Saturday evening. Heavy rainfall is expected through Saturday evening, according to the National Weather Service. The flood watch is in effect for Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Citrus, Hernando and Levy counties. A flood watch means that flooding is possible during the next 24 to 36 hours. Residents in flood-prone areas should take action to protect property.
UPDATE: A Flood Warning is now in effect for Pinellas and SW Pasco counties until 5:45 p.m. Friday.
Weather update from Storm Team 8’s Bryan Bennett
The heaviest rain falling from St. Petersburg to Sarasota. Areas of SW Pasco down through Pinellas have picked up 5-7 inches of rain. We typically receive 7″ of rain in July, our second wettest month. SW Pasco has received a slight lull in the heavy rain, but more heavy rain is sliding south from Citrus and Hernando Counties. Recurring flooding issues will likely continue in Holiday, Tarpon Springs area over the next few hours.
The consistent (non-stop) rain will gradually come to an end during the late afternoon/evening. But, scattered showers will remain into the evening and a few overnight. Saturday is going to be another soaker. The heaviest rain will likely fall Tampa and South. Either way, qualifies as a washout of a weekend.
SAFETY TIPS DURING HEAVY RAIN OR FLOODING
Motorists are urged to use care when driving through flooded areas, and to follow posted detour signs. Residents should stay tuned to local television and radio stations for traffic advisories, reports of flooding, or other critical information.
Follow these safety tips to help keep you and your family safe:
Never drive through moving water or standing water. Standing water that is only two feet deep can disable most vehicles.
If you can’t see the road, turn around. Floodwaters may conceal holes or dangerous objects.
Avoid walking in flooded areas or rapidly flowing water. Only six inches of fast-flowing water can sweep you off your feet.
If an area is barricaded, there is a reason. Find an alternate route.
Treat non-functioning traffic signals as a four-way stop.
Avoid downed or hanging power lines. Always assume the power line is live.
Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to see possible flood dangers.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS: Flood Watch in Tampa Bay Area
SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR COUNTY
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
City of Tampa Makes Sandbags available to residents
The City of Tampa will make sandbags available to city residents at three locations today, July 24, 2015 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Sandbags will be available today until 8 p.m. this evening, and again tomorrow, Saturday, July 25, 2015 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Residents may pick-up sandbags at the following locations:
· Himes Sports Complex, 4500 South Himes Avenue
· Jackson Heights Playground, 3310 E. Lake Avenue
· City of Tampa Solid Waste at 4010 W. Spruce Street
Tampa residents interested in receiving sandbags must show identification verifying residence within the city limits. A valid driver’s license, utility bill, or electric bill will serve as appropriate identification. There is a ten bag limit. In addition, the City of Tampa requests that residents with a storm drain on their property check to ensure that the drain is clear of all debris including leaves and trash. Residents should report flooding issues by calling (813) 274-3101.
Stay up-to-date
Sign up for Alert Tampa, the city’s official emergency alert system, to receive time sensitive notifications which will be sent directly to your email, cell phone, and in some cases, home phone. Alert Tampa will provide you the official information you can use to keep your business, your home, and your family safe. To sign up today, visit our website at tampagov.net/alerttampa or call (813) 231-6184.
Sandbag materials available July 24 and 25 at Hillsborough County service units
Hillsborough County is making sandbag materials available to the public Friday, July 24, from noon until 4 p.m., and Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m. until noon, as weather conditions permit, at all three County Public Works Service Units:
West Service Unit at 9805 Sheldon Road
South Service Unit at 8718 Old Big Bend Road
East Service Unit at 4702 Sydney Road
Sandbag materials will be available for Hillsborough County residents to make their own sandbags. Each resident must sign their name and provide their home address acknowledging the receipt of 25 sandbags or less.
Residents can call (813) 272-5900 to report flooding and road problems or to request additional information.
Possible Lightning Strike-Hillsborough County Sams Club on N Dale Mabry
Hillsborough Fire responded to a possible lightning strike at at 15835 N. Dale Mabry at the Sam’s Club gas station. Officials say one patient was transported.
PASCO COUNTY
Pasco County opens sand bag operations for residents ~Four sand bag locations open~
NEW PORT RICHEY, FL Pasco County has opened four sand bag locations after severe thunderstorms moved through the area Friday. The thunderstorms caused local street flooding near streams, rivers and low lying areas. The National Weather Service estimates rainfall totals through Saturday of 3 to 4 inches are possible with a slight risk of excessive amounts of 4 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts possible. Pasco County residents in need of sand bags can obtain bags at the following:
Fire Station #17, 2951 Seven Springs Blvd., New Port Richey West Pasco Government Center, 7536 State Street, New Port Richey J.W. Mitchell Park, 4025 Little Rd., New Port Richey
The city of New Port Richey has opened sand bag operations at the following location:
6420 Pine Hill Road, New Port Richey. Sand will be available this weekend across the street from the city’s Fleet Maintenance Building.
All sand bag locations will be open 24-hours a day throughout the weekend.
Citizens must bring their own shovel and are limited to 20 sand bags per household and locations.
Pasco Emergency Management continues to monitor the weather situation and could activate in the event of an emergency. No evacuations have been ordered at this time.
Announcement from Pasco County Government (11:29 am)-
Pasco County has experience heavy rains this morning. There will be some street flooding in low lying areas.
* No flooding in the homes but close to the homes, on Cape Cod Drive, Holiday
* Street flooding in Park Lake Estates, Old County 54, New Port Richey (some manhole covers coming off, Pasco County Road and Bridge dispatched to the area).
PINELLAS COUNTY
Report from a Tarpon Spring Public Works employee via Ham Radio. MLK two blocks West of US 19 has two feet of water across the road causing vehicles to get stuck. Public Works yard in Tarpon also under water.
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