Rain from Debby strands drivers, raises river concerns across Tampa area

Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby flooded roads and prompted a warning that rivers in Hillsborough County could crest.

Parts of the greater Tampa Bay region are under a storm surge warning and tropical storm warning as heavy rains led to flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Forecasters estimate the region could see three to five feet of storm surge, along with four to eight inches of rain.

The city of Tampa closed Bayshore Boulevard from Platt Street to Bay to Bay Boulevard, along with numerous side streets, due to flooding.

St. Petersburg police also report several streets are flooding.

Coastal areas along Pinellas County are reporting street flooding along with high surf.

Several streets in Sarasota are also flooded. Driving in a pickup truck with a friend, A.J. Grundvig posted a video online, showing a sedan trapped in floodwaters on Manasota Beach Road, south of Sarasota.

"I can't believe the amount of cars that were actually trying to go through that flooded water over there that were getting stranded," Grundvig told WUSF.

"So we ended up having to stop and help a couple people get out."

Grundvig said some parts of the road in Englewood appeared to be three feet under water.

Florida emergency management chief Kevin Guthrie warned people to stay home.

"It's never safe to walk or drive through flooded roadways. Not only can it cause accidental drowning, but flood waters are gross and unsafe and can contain many hazards," Guthrie said at a press briefing Sunday.

As of 5:30 pm on Sunday, a flash flood warning was in effect for western Sarasota County until 9:30 pm, as officials warned of heavy rainfall between six to 12 inches with isolated higher amounts up to 18 inches over the next several days.

The National Weather Service also issued a flood watch and flood warnings for five areas in Hillsborough County near rivers due to the anticipated heavy rainfall.

The following areas are under a flood watch:

• Hillsborough River near Morris Bridge Road 
• Hillsborough River near Zephyrhills
• Alafia River near Lithia Pinecrest Road 

A flood warning has been issued for:

• Alafia River near U.S. 301 
• Little Manatee River near Wimauma

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding, and a flood warning is issued "when a hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening," according to the National Weather Service.