Manatee County is under a tornado watch at this hour until 4 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
These Florida counties also are under a tornado watch: Brevard, Citrus, Clay, Desoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter and Volusia.
A low-pressure system lifting northeast has the area also under a coastal flood watch and a high surf advisory.
Coastal points north of Pinellas County are seeing strong storms at this hour. Those storms are expected to spread southeast throughout the night.
Manatee residents can expect gusty winds, heavy rainfall and occasional lightning associated with these showers.
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