Tampa Bay Advised To Brace For Heavy Rainfall, Lightning

RUSKIN, FL – The National Weather Service in Ruskin says rain is now pummeling Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Residents should brace for heavy rains and lightning.

The NWS said the storm moving west through Tampa Bay could bring wind gusts of 60 mph, lightning and possibly hail. Residents should prepare for fallen trees and damage to roofs.

At 10:50 a.m., weather radar indicated strong thunderstorms located along a line extending from near Pebble Creek to Brandon. Movement was northeast at 25 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with these storms. The area from Brandon to Plant City could receive rainfall of 2 to 4 inches.

Storms also are currently crossing into Pinellas County, impacting Pinellas Park, Treasure Island, St. Petersburg, Largo and Clearwater, causing riptides and other dangerous beach conditions.

Locations impacted by the thunderstorms include Tampa, Lakeland, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Brandon, Hillsborough River State Park, Zephyrhills, Lakeland LinderAirport, Pebble Creek, Medulla, Riverview, East Lake-Orient Park, Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, Mango, New Tampa, Plant City Airport and Tampa Executive Airport.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. There have been 47 strikes so far. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. S

More showers and storms are expected to move into Pasco, Hillsborough and Polk counties throughout the day.

Ways to prepare and stay safe

* Take shelter inside a sturdy building. A shed or structure in an open area is more likely to be hit by lightning.

* If driving in heavy rain, find a place to pull over and park. Stay in the car and turn on your hazard lights until the rain stops.

* Avoid touching anything metal, including the frame of your car. Metal conducts electricity, which can injure you.

* Avoid tall trees, hilltops, open fields, the beach and boats on the water. These places are more likely to be hit by lightning.

* Unplug electronic equipment. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage to computers, monitors and TVs.

* Use only cell phones and cordless phones that are not plugged into an outlet. A power surge from an outlet could injure you.

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