2 Tropical Disturbances Churning in Atlantic Ocean

TAMPA BAY, FL — Tampa Bay area residents might want to keep their eyes on the weather over the next few days. The National Hurricane Center is tracking two tropical disturbances that are kicking up in the Atlantic Ocean.

The newest disturbance was reported in the hurricane center’s 2 p.m. Tropical Weather Outlook report Thursday. The storm is a tropical wave located about 1,700 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands. It is moving westward at roughly 30 mph, the center reported.

As of Thursday afternoon, forecasters gave that disturbance a 30 percent chance of forming into a tropical cyclone over the next five days. “Environmental conditions are expected to be somewhat conducive for development this weekend when the disturbance could be near the northern Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico,” the agency noted.

The second disturbance has been on the hurricane center’s radar since Wednesday. That storm remains off the coast of Africa, about 350 miles south-southeast of Cabo Verde. According to the hurricane center, that tropical wave is moving west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph. There’s a 40 percent chance of further development over the next few days.

While it’s still way too early to tell what, if any, impact the storms will have on Florida, the hurricane center is keeping close tabs on their movements. Should the storms develop more, they would become the fifth and sixth named storms of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Their names would be Earl and Fiona, respectively.

So far this year, the only named storm that created concern for Tampa Bay was Tropical Storm Colin. That storm passed by in early June, dumping lots of water and creating some flooding in the region.

The Tampa Bay area hasn’t been struck by a hurricane in more than 90 years. The last major storm to come close to the region was Hurricane Charley back in August 2004. That category 4 storm ripped through Charlotte County, leaving four people dead in its wake and an estimated 11,000 homes damaged.

While Tampa Bay has been lucky for a long time, experts say the streak isn’t likely to last. It’s not a question of if, but when, forecasters say.

To get ready, residents are urged to create their own emergency kits, including food and water for at least three days. They should also know their evacuation routes, have their renter or homeowner’s insurance documents handy and should have a plan on where to go and what to do if a storm strikes.

To find out more about hurricane season and storm preparation, read these related Patch stories:

• Hurricane Season 2016: Where To Find Local Information
• 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released
• Hurricane Season: How to Prepare
• 2016 Hurricane Names: Is Yours On the List?
• Tampa Bay 'Ripe for Disaster,' Hurricane Experts Say

To keep up with storm activity as the season develops, bookmark the National Hurricane Center’s website and keep an eye on your hometown Patch site for local information.

Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center