Main Menu

Pinellas County Under Tropical Storm Warning

Tropical Storm | Weather | Rain

Pinellas County Emergency Management is advising residents to prepare for heavy rain and wind throughout the weekend.

PINELLAS COUNTY – The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for Pinellas County, meaning that tropical storm force winds are expected somewhere within the county within 36 hours as Subtropical Storm Alberto moves up the Gulf of Mexico.

The forecast continues for call for maximum sustained winds of 20 miles per hour to 30 mph, with gusts to 40 mph.

Pinellas County Emergency Management is advising residents to prepare for heavy rain and wind throughout the weekend. The strongest winds should occur Sunday, with conditions improving rapidly Monday (May 28) after daybreak. In addition, Alberto will bring a less than 5 percent chance of isolated tornadoes beginning tonight (May 26) and continuing through Monday morning.

Residents should use a National Weather Service radio or alert-enabled mobile phone during the overnight hours to stay up-to-date on potential tornado warnings. Residents can also sign up to receive weather advisories and other emergency alerts via text, phone or email through Alert Pinellas at pinellascounty.org/alertpinellas.

In addition to the tropical storm warning, the county is under a flood and rip current watch, but not a storm surge watch. Emergency Management expects tides at 1.5 feet – 3 feet above normal, which could result in flooding within low-lying coastal areas at high tide. The National Weather Service is warning of dangerous boating conditions tonight through Monday with waves reaching 6 feet – 10 feet. Rainfall in the amount of 2 inches – 4 inches is expected.

Commuters should take care while driving, as localized street flooding is possible, Beachgoers should stay up-to-date on the latest conditions and practice rip current safety steps outlined at weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent.

Gov. Rick Scott earlier today declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in order to allow state and local governments to coordinate with federal partners to obtain any necessary resources.

The county continues to monitor conditions and urges residents to follow Pinellas County on Facebook and Twitter for updates and preparedness information. Subtropical Storm Alberto developed early Friday (may 25) and is the first named storm of the 2018 hurricane season, which traditionally begins on June 1.

For information about preparing for weather-related events or emergencies, go to pinellascounty.org/emergency.

Weather | Tropical Storm Warning | Alberto | Subtropical Storm Alberto | Tampabay News

#Weather #TropicalStormWarning #Alberto #SubtropicalStormAlberto #TampabayNews