News of the Nature Coast of Florida

The National Weather Service in Ruskin this afternoon issued a Coastal Flood Watch for Citrus, Levy, Hernando Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

The watch is in effect from Wednesday morning through Thursday morning.

An increasing southerly wind flow ahead of an intensifying low pressure area over the western Gulf will help to build seas over the adjacent Gulf waters during Wednesday and Thursday. The strong wind flow and increasing seas may produce coastal flooding at times of high tide on Wednesday and Thursday, with large breaking wave action possibly producing additional overwash and flooding in some locations.

At the current time, tides are expected to run some 2 to 4 feet above normal at times of high tide on Wednesday and Thursday. Coastal residents should review evacuation plans, and be ready to move at a  moment`s notice - should action be required.

Precautionary/preparedness actions ... A coastal flood watch is issued for the possibility of coastal flooding. Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio or your local media for further updates on this developing weather situation.