Tornado Watch Issued for Tampa Bay Area
The entire region is under a watch until 8 p.m. as rains from Tropical Storm Debby continue to blanket the area.
Update, June 24 2:08 p.m.: As strong storms continue to move through our area, the National Weather Service has been issuing tornado warnings for multiple counties in the Tampa Bay area. A warning “is issued when a tornado is indicated by the WSR-88D radar or sighted by spotters; therefore, people in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately,” according to the weather service’s website.
To find out if your community is under a tornado warning, visit the National Weather Service's Severe Weather Summary page on its website.
Earlier:
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the entire Tampa Bay area, including Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties until 8 p.m. today.
A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornado development. While no tornadoes have been sighted in the Bay area as of yet, heavy rains and some strong wind gusts have been reported.
Today’s rainy weather is largely blamed on Tropical Storm Debby. The storm is currently in the Gulf of Mexico and is projected to make landfall later this week. While Debby isn’t projected to strike Florida, showers and strong storms are anticipated in the Tampa area at least until mid-week.
In addition to the tornado watch, flood advisories remain in effect for most of the Bay area, as well.
For more information about the weather and a complete seven-day forecast, visit the National Weather Service online.
How is your neighborhood faring with all the rain? Let us know in the comments section and be sure to share your storm photos on Patch.
Stay with Patch for updates on Tropical Storm Debby.
Lacota
2:23 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
I appreciate meteorologists storm updates and, thank you. Stay safe!
Sherri Lonon
2:28 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thanks, Lacota. Hope you stay safe and dry, too! It's nasty out there.
KalVINKlien
3:36 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thanks for nothing I was hoping you would give a list of counties in effect can we say bad reporting
Sherri Lonon
3:42 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Hi Kal, the story does have the counties listed: Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota. Hope that helps answer your question.
Daniel Hodge
3:55 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Shore Blvd. is flooded out and water is entering some of the businesses along Shore Blvd. and southern Beach Blvd. below 31st Ave. South.
Susan Scully
4:13 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
If you go to the National Weather Service's Severe Weather Summary on its website, it will give you exactly where the tornado warnings are--tornadoes have been spotted in these areas. So Kai, just fo there and you will know wxactly where the very severe weather is.
Sherri Lonon
4:52 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Daniel, thanks for the update. That's not good news at all.
jak schaffner
5:00 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
cloudy no rai n glenridge
jak schaffner
5:00 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
great day for the race------human race
Nana
5:33 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Are there many delayed flights from Tampa Airport tonight?
Cherlene Willis
5:45 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Nana,
You can check by flight number or from the city the plane departed from on the airport's website: http://www.tampaairport.com/
Wayne Rooney
6:51 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
I agree with kal you shouldn't have to click into a link to find out information you should post it on this site it would help out a lot.
Sherri Lonon
8:07 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Hi Wayne, the counties involved in the tornado watch are all listed in the story. There's no clicking involved, I promise! In the Bay area, they include Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota.
cherylwithac
11:00 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
I agree: sloppy reporting. It's useless.
usfer
11:38 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
I wouldn't be too worried with what Cheryl thinks. I had her for a class at USF for journalism and my class wasn't thrilled with her. Glad I switched majors and got out of that! http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=430870&page=1
cherylwithac
1:14 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Thanks, Kal and Wayne: "bad reporting" as you said. Merely listing five counties or listing links that anyone could find provides no useful information. Sherri, are you a bona fide meteorologist? You suggest that you are in your response to Lacota.
Kevin Nash
8:04 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Look I'm a reporter for new Tampa patch bad weather in the Tampa area just click This link to find out more www.myfoxtampabay.com/weather
frank lampard
8:21 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Why do I bother to keep reading anything on this website. A 5th grader could give me links to a real website. Maybe it's time to start covering areas you're more of an expert on, e.g monkeys flinging their own feces at each other.
Sherri Lonon
8:25 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Hi Cheryl, no I'm not and never meant to suggest I was. I am a journalist and Patch is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on the communities it serves.
Bryan Johnson
10:09 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Sherri, your doing wonders for our community keep up the great work I love all your stories you post they are very informative, don't let the rude people get to you!