Frances moves offshore

There was no speed limit on Frances' winds.

Tropical Storm Frances moved offshore the Bay area at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

It spent all of Sunday moving through Florida. It made landfall as a hurricane in Martin County along the east coast at 1 a.m. Sunday.

After a day in the Gulf of Mexico, it could enter Florida's panhandle Tuesday as a hurricane again.

Bay area residents could be affected by rainbands following behind Frances Monday.

More on Frances
	Click here for information on business openings and closings. Click here for a zoomed-in view of the Doppler in all Bay area counties. Click here for pictures of the storm's effects. Click here for a story on avoiding scams. Click here for the story of a couple who stayed put during the storm. Click here for a story on how hurricanes benefits the environment.

As the storm passes over the Gulf, winds will start blowing back toward shore. This will accumulate some water near the coast. This may raise the sea level several feet, translating into a minor storm surge at high tide Monday morning. 

So far, two deaths in Florida have been attributed to Frances.

A boil water notice has been issued for Pasco Water customers in the following areas: the Forest Hills community in Holiday; Trilby, Lacoochee, Hillcrest Manor and Trilacoochee; the Dade City communities of the Ponds, the Groves and Cambridge Clark; and Pasadena Shores, just south of Dade City.

Also in Pasco County, Dade City and Zephyrhills are under a dusk to dawn curfew.

Downed trees, street signs and power, and broken street lights are being reported throughout the Bay area.

Power outages were common across the Bay area and the state. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is closed, but the Courtney Campbell Causeway has been reopened.

The entire Bay area is under a flood watch, and flooding could be one of the major consequences of the storm locally. All major rivers are under a river flood warning.

President Bush has declared the entire state of Florida a federal disaster area.

The Florida Highway Patrol urges motorists to to stay inside and not drive unless absolutely necessary. Drivers can dial 511 for road conditions.
    
Tune in to Weather on the Nines for more Frances information or go to our Tropical Update page or zoomed-in Doppler 9000 page.

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