Janelle Irwin Taylor
A tropical storm warning has been issued for all of Pinellas County, including in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Largo. The weather system is currently located near Cuba and is classified as a tropical depression, with conditions ripe for strengthening into a tropical storm. If the system becomes a named storm, it will be called “Debby.”
A tropical storm warning indicates the likelihood of tropical storm-force winds within the area within the next 36 hours.
As of Friday afternoon, Pinellas County Emergency Management said it anticipates winds of 30-40 miles per hour, with tropical storm-force conditions expected early Sunday morning into Sunday afternoon.
The warning includes threats to life and property. Pinellas Emergency Management recommends beginning storm preparations now, including for limited wind damage to structures such as porches, awnings, carports, sheds, unanchored mobile homes and unsecured lightweight objects.
Residents should be prepared for downed tree limbs, snapped or uprooted trees, impassable roads due to debris, hazardous driving conditions and scattered power and communications outages.
Storm surge is so far predicted to be localized with the potential for 1-3 feet within surge-prone areas, beginning Saturday evening. Forecasters predict 6-10 inches of rain from the storm.
Tornadoes are also forecast to be a threat as the system moves in this weekend.
Emergency managers also remind that the current track is subject to change, meaning those anywhere within the cone of possible landfall should be prepared. Forecasters also do not know exactly how strong the system will be when it makes landfall, which will depend largely on how long the system stays over warm waters where it could strengthen.
Sandbags are available from the county at two locations — the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex located at 2855 109th Ave. N. in St. Pete on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. with a limit of 10 bags per vehicle; and at John Chestnut Sr. Park located at 2200 East Lake Road in Plam Harbor at the same times and with the same bag limit while supplies last.
Residents within municipalities should visit their city’s website for more sandbag information. Cities that have activated sandbag sites include Dunedin, Gulfport, St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach, Pinellas Park, Redington Beeach, Redington Shores, Safety Harbor and Tarpon Springs.
Individuals can look up their evacuation zone here.
