Manatee County upgraded to tropical storm warning as Gulf system strengthens
A Tropical Storm Warning and Flood Watch is now in effect for most of Manatee County, the National Hurricane Center said Friday morning.
By Friday afternoon, the system still had not reached tropical storm status. Hurricane Hunters did not yet find tropical storm-force winds during their flight Friday morning.
Areas near Bradenton that are likely to experience the most storm impacts are southern parts of the county in Parrish, Lakewood Ranch and Myakka City.
Residents in those areas could start seeing light rain as early as 4 p.m. today. More heavy rain is expected to move into the area overnight to early Saturday.
The storm got better organized overnight, but a center has not yet formed. Once that happens, likely today, it will be named Tropical Storm Alex.
The track has not yet changed, however the Hurricane Center warns that depending on where the center forms, the track could shift dramatically to either the north or south.
Right now, the Tampa Bay and Bradenton area is forecast to be on the weaker and drier side of the storm. Heavier rains are expected in South Florida and across the peninsula as the storm’s counter-clockwise rotation pushes more Gulf moisture to the south side of the system.
Strong wind shear and dry air are still in place across the Gulf of Mexico to keep the storm from strengthening into a hurricane. It’s forecast to “strengthen slightly.”
Manatee County advisories
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for inland Manatee County — including Parrish, Lakewood Ranch and Myakka City as well as Ruskin — and areas immediately offshore but not yet for the city of Bradenton or western Manatee.
That means tropical storm-force winds are expected in the next 36 hours.
Winds are expected to be 10-20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, but even higher gusts of 39-57 mph are possible.
Rainfall of 2-4 inches is forecast, but it could be higher in some spots.
A Flood Watch has been issued for Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Anna Maria Island, Sarasota, Myakka City and Parrish.
That means flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible from 8 a.m. Friday through Saturday night.
Prepare for heavy rain, wind gusts and possible power outages. Storm surge and tornadoes are not likely with this storm.
“Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous,” the National Weather Service Tampa Bay warns.
How to prepare
Possible wind impacts:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
Possible rain impacts:
- Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots.
- Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures.
Possible flooding impacts:
- Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action.
Timing
The potential tropical storm is expected to reach the southern tip of Florida late Friday, but rain bands could start in the Bradenton area as soon as Friday afternoon.
National Weather Service Tampa meteorologist Austen Flannery said rains could start in Bradenton by 4 p.m. Friday but most of the heaviest rain will be overnight into Saturday.
It should clear the area by late Saturday, and by Sunday the storm is expected to have cleared all of Florida and head into the Atlantic Ocean.
Got a closure or cancellation? Snapped a good weather photo? Email metro@bradenton.com
This story was originally published June 3, 2022 at 8:33 AM.
