A tropical storm watch and storm surge warning have been issued for the greater Tampa Bay area as forecasters expect a wave of disturbed weather in the Caribbean to intensify as it enters the Gulf of Mexico this weekend.
The National Weather Service has also issued a tropical storm warning along Florida's west coast from Bonita Beach to Boca Grande.
The tropical storm watch extends from Boca Grande to the mouth of the Suwannee River. Forecasters expect tropical storm conditions, with heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding, on the state’s west coast by late Saturday into Sunday.
Coastal flooding and isolated river flooding is also possible.
The bad weather will likely be around until Wednesday.
The watches and warnings were issued Friday morning after Hurricane Hunter aircraft investigated Invest 97-L, a system that has been dumping heavy rain from thunderstorms over Hispaniola, parts of Cuba and the Bahamas.
The system is forecast to continue tracking north-northwest and strengthen over the Florida Straits or eastern Gulf. On Friday morning, its was moving at 16 mph with winds peaking at 30 mph.
If system continues to strengthen, it would become Tropical Storm Debby.
On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 54 counties across the state, including the greater Tampa Bay region.
"We’re looking at the potential for a tropical depression to form this weekend over the eastern Gulf, with further intensification possible next week," said Megan Borowski, a meteorologist with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network. "Steering winds are weak, and that could lead to a very slow-moving system. At least as of (Friday) morning, it will likely be a heavy rain and flood event for Florida’s Gulf coast as opposed to a wind event."
A tropical storm is defined by winds of 39 to 73 mph.
Sandbag locations
Tampa
Tampa is making up to 10 sandbags available to residents on Friday through Saturday:
- Himes Avenue Complex (4501 S. Himes Ave.)
- Al Barnes Park (2902 N. 32nd Str.)
- Al Lopez Park (4810 N. Himes Ave.)
St. Petersburg
The city is making 10 sandbags available at the following locations:
Full-service locations (Friday-Sunday):
- Lake Maggiore Park Shelter Area: 3601 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. S
- Northeast Park East Baseball Field Parking Lot: 955 62nd Ave. N
- Northwest Swimming Pool Parking Lot Park: 2331 60th St. N
Self-2ervice Locations (Friday-Sunday):
- Dell Homes Park: 2741 22nd St. S
- Fossil Park Northern Most Parking Lot: 6875 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. N
- Walter Fuller Soccer Field Parking Lot: 2800 75th St. N
Pasco County
Sandbags are available at the following locations:
- Magnolia Valley Golf Course: 7223 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
- Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn): 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio
- Veterans Memorial Park: 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
- Pasco Fire Rescue Station #29: 6907 Dairy Rd, Zephyrhills
- Former Dade City Police Department building, 38042 Pasco Ave., Dade City
- New Port Richey Garage, 6420 Pine Hill Road, New Port Richey
Polk County
Up to 10 sandbags are available Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations:
- Mulberry/South Lakeland – Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road
- Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland
- Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade
- Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof
- Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale
- Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee
- Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegany Road, Kissimmee 34759
Pinellas Park
The city opened a drive-thru location for residents on Friday through 7 p.m. at 6151 78th Ave N. Up to 10 sandbags are available.
Dunedin
Pre-filled sandbags will be available at the City of Dunedin Highlander Park parking lot, 903 Michigan Blvd., Friday from noon until 7 p.m. until supplies last. Once pre-filled are gone, sand and bags will be available.
Clearwater
A limit 10 sandbags will be available at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, 2450 Drew St.
Unincorporated Pinellas
- Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, 2855 109th Ave N., St. Petersburg. Saturday, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. while supplies last. Pre-filled sandbags available. Limit: 10 per vehicle.
- John Chesnut Sr. Park: 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor. Hours: Aug. 3, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. while supplies last. Residents must bag their own sandbags. Sand and shovels will be provided. Limit: 10 per vehicle.
