2 Tampa Bay-Area Bridges Closed Because Of Hurricane Debby

TAMPA BAY, FL — Two Tampa Bay-area bridges were affected by Hurricane Debby as it made its way toward north Florida Sunday into Monday morning

Debby made landfall Monday around 7 a.m. as a Category 1 storm in the Big Bend area. Prior to this, the hurricane’s outer bands brought heavy rains, flooding, gusty winds and reports of tornadoes to the state's peninsula.

The northbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge were closed Monday morning because of heavy waves and debris coming onto the highway washed out portions of the shoulder and road on the Hillsborough side of the span, according to a Florida Highway Patrol news release.

• Also Read: Hurricane Debby Makes Landfall In As Category 1 Storm In FL’s Big Bend

The Howard Frankland connects Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has been closed since Sunday night because of high winds, FHP said.

The bridge closes when there are maximum sustained winds of 50 mph or higher.

The four-lane cable-stayed concrete bridge with northbound and southbound lanes is part of I-275 and U.S. Highway 19. It connects Pinellas and Manatee counties.