It's been a day of non-stop rain for most of the Bay area on Friday.
Pasco County has seen the worst of it, particularly in Holiday where reports of over 8 inches of rain has fallen in the last 12 hours.
Here's what you need to know about tonight's weather:
- Flood warning issued for northern Pinellas and southewestern Pasco County, until 11:45 p.m.
- River flood warning issued for the Anclote River at Elfers from 7 a.m. Saturday until 2 a.m. Monday
- Flood watch for all Bay area counties until Saturday at 8 p.m.
- Pasco County has opened four sand bag locations
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties but has since expired.
Excessive runoff from rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, highways and underpasses in urban areas. Country roads and farmlands along the banks of creeks are also prone to flooding.
Do not drive your car into areas where the water covers the roadway, as the water may be too deep to allow you to cross safely. Seek another route.
Officials say some parts of the area have seen between 3 to 6 inches of rain, with more storms developing offshore. Areas with poor drainage are seeing flooding as a result.
Pasco County has opened four sand bag locations:
- 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
- Across from the Fleet Mainenance Building, 6420 Pine Hill Road, New Port Richey.
A storm water pipe collapsed and created a depression 3-foot in diameter and 2.5-feet deep at 7701 Cumber Drive in New Port Richey. It has been roped off and barricaded at this time.
There have been reports of heavy flooding spilling over the sea wall at 3741 Montclair Drive in New Port Richey.
Moog Road, west of U.S. 19 in Holiday shut down due to storm water. Pasco Sheriff's Office and Pasco Storm Water on scene.
Abundant tropical moisture within westerly wind flow off the Gulf of Mexico will keep rain chances high across our area through the weekend. The heavy rain will increase the risk for localized flooding of low lying and flood prone areas, as well as on roadways.
"It had been raining a long time," said homeowner Dee Barclay, in the Moog Road area of Pasco County. "I said better check the street. I came out and it was just on this side of my mailbox and within an hour it was halfway up my driveway and then within another hour it was up to the top, almost to my house."
People living along rivers and in flood-prone areas should remain alert to any rapid rises in water levels and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding be observed.
Impacts:
- Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms expected daily.
- Locally heavy rainfall amounts.
- Localized Flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas.
- Ponding of water on roadways.
- Strong gusty winds near thunderstorms.
- Frequent lightning strikes in some of the stronger thunderstorms.
Tonight will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms.
It will be warm and humid with lows in the upper 70s to low 80s.
The front will move toward Tampa Bay with an area of low pressure. An upper trough moves south to Florida.
High rain chances will continue through the weekend. Saturday's rain chance is 80 percent. Sunday's rain chance is 60 percent. The chance of rain will begin in the mornings and continue into the afternoons in some locations.
With more clouds and high rain chances, afternoon highs will be below normal with most of the area in the mid to upper 80s. Morning lows will be in the upper 70s.
West winds will be 10-20 mph with higher gusts.
- WEATHER PHOTOS: Send us your weather photos and they may appear on our site.
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