Flood Watch Issued for Tampa Bay Area

As a low pressure system makes its way through the Tampa Bay area, the National Weather Service is warning residents that heavy rains are likely over the next few days.

With that in mind, the service has issued a flood watch for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties that is anticipated to remain in effect until Saturday at 8 p.m.

“A trough of low pressure will be draped across the area and will bring heavy rainfall with 3 to 6 inch accumulations and locally higher amounts,” the service explained in its advisory. “This may produce areas of flooding of urban areas and possibly river and small stream flooding.”

Flood watches are put into place when flooding is possible within the next 24 to 36 hours.

The service is urging residents in low lying areas to take precautions to protect their property.

Rain chances are set at roughly 70 percent during the daytime hours Friday and drop to 50 percent in the overnight hours. Saturday brings an 80 percent chance of heavy rain during the day and an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms overnight. Conditions clear a bit heading into Sunday.

For a complete look at weather in your neighborhood, visit your local Patch’s homepage.

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