Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue District personnel check on a tree knocked over by high winds in a mobile home park located off Walsingham Road in Largo about 3:42 p.m. Sunday, June 24.
Photo by MICHAEL ROSS
A mobile home is missing a roof after a suspected tornado passed in the vicinity of Walsingham Road and Hamlin Boulevard in Largo Sunday afternoon.
Photo by MICHAEL ROSS
A possible tornado is responsble for damaging this billboard on Walsingham Road in Largo Sunday afternoon.
Photo by MICHAEL ROSS
Debris litters the sidewalk and bike lane on Walsingham Road Sunday afternoon after a possible tornado passed through.
Photo by JUILIANA A. TORRES
A car goes through wide pools of water on the roadway near 90th Avenue and 64th Way in Pinellas Park Sunday afternoon. Pinellas Park Police reported flooding throughout the city and asked that residents stay home if possible.
Photo by JUILIANA A. TORRES
The grassy lawn and sidewalk near the intersection of 90th Avenue and 64th Street in Pinellas Park is flooded during the rains of June 24.
Photo by TERRE PORTER
This palm tree sways with the wind in Largo Sunday afternoon. High winds reports were coming in from all around Pinellas County Sunday afternoon as Tropical Storm Debby made its way north offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.
The rain continued to fall as the sun set Sunday night and Tropical Storm Debby continued to churn offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.
Pinellas County was under at tropical storm watch and local residents spent the day dealing with the effects of extremely heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds and storm damage from at least one possible tornado.
Possible tornado
Michael Ross of Largo reported damage from what he’s sure was a tornado that hit around 3:42 p.m. near Walsingham Road and Hamlin Boulevard.
Ross posted several photos on Facebook page. The photos show a roof peeled off a nearby mobile home park. Metal was twisted around a utility pole. At least one sign was down. Debris littered a portion of a sidewalk and bike lane on Walsingham Road. Ross said stores in a nearby shopping area were damaged with several windows blown out.
Ross was standing outside and saw the storm coming.
“I heard it coming and saw the funnel throwing debris over my head, when the windows exploded,” Ross said.
Flooding
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that I-275 south from the Pinellas Bayway closed at 7:15 p.m. as roadways are flooding. Motorists may also call 511 for current updates as well.
Clearwater Police report significant flooding in Clearwater Beach. Beach areas are reportedly under water due to flooding. The north end was inaccessible as of about 6 p.m. No bridges or roadways were officially closed, but multiple disabled and stranded vehicles are located throughout the city. Flooding is reported on many side streets and on Gulf to Bay Boulevard and U.S. 19.
“Please do not drive through unknown depths of water,” police advise. “If you have to be out on the road and you come upon an area of water in a roadway, turn around and take on alternate road. If it’s not an emergency, refrain from driving until flood waters recede.”
Pinellas Park Police was reporting street flooding and retention ponds that had reached capacity Sunday afternoon. Police were advising residents to stay home if possible.
Palm Harbor Fire Rescue is reporting swift, running water flowing over Lake St. George just north of Tampa Road, and Alternate 19 N. at Tampa Road.
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority suspended service on the Suncoast Beach Trolley, the Central Avenue Trolley, Route 66 and Route 19 north of Westfield Countryside Mall. PSTA officials say residents should be aware that all bus services might be delayed and/or detoured due to local flooding. Passengers are advised to check www.PSTA.net in the morning where announcements will be posted.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Sunshine Skyway Bridge closed around 4:30 p.m. due to high winds and remained closed as of 8 p.m.
“Due to the inclement weather currently being experienced in the Tampa Bay area, Florida Highway Patrol Troopers are closing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at this time,” Sgt. Steve Gaskins said in a press release.
The bridge will remain closed until the weather subsides. Wind speeds have reached a sustained level of 40 mph with gust reaching 70 mph. Motorists are urged to seek alternate travel routes and drive with extreme caution.
If motorists must travel they are reminded to operate their vehicles cautiously, decreasing their travel speeds while increasing their following distances, and insure that their vehicle is in good working to include proper tire tread, functioning windshield wipers and lighting equipment. Headlights are required by Florida law during rain, fog and other inclement weather even during daylight hours. Motorists encountering flooded roadways should not drive through the water, and again seek an alternate route. For more information, www.flhsmv.gov/SafetyTips/HazRoads.htm.
Warnings, watches and advisories
A flood warning remains in effect until 9 p.m. for Pinellas and western Pasco counties until 9 p.m. Many locations around Pinellas were reporting in excess of 8 inches of rain received within 24 hours.
Coastal flood warning and high surf advisory continues through 8 p.m. Monday. The National Weather Service says the most likely time for flooding will be at high tide.
A tornado watch has been extended until 5 a.m. The county also is under a tropical storm watch until further notice.
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