Hurricane season just begun and June is already kicking off with a bang — with mounds and mounds of rain, thunderstorms, and some wind.
Forecasters are predicting the Tampa Bay area will see three to six inches of rain over the next week, according to WTSP. The rain has already started — here’s what you need to know.
What’s the forecast?
- Why the sudden influx of showers? It’s the result of a low pressure system over the Gulf of Mexico + the rain is expected to last through the week.
- Stay on top of the latest weather updates with this dashboard from WTSP.
- Though forecasters say a tropical system isn’t likely, there’s a 20% chance this system develops slowly over the next week.
Flooding tips
- Some of Tampa + the Burg’s low-lying neighborhoods will likely see more flooding than others (like Shore Acres and Hyde Park). Look up your flood zone in Hillsborough + check your area’s risk in Pinellas.
- One of the most important things to remember is not to walk in sitting water. Even if that puddle may look clear, snakes, downed power lines, and sewage could be hiding from your view. Here’s even more tips for navigating floodwaters.
- It’s equally important to report downed power lines and other electrical issues — so they can get fixed as quickly as possible. Report an outage to Duke Energy or TECO.
Hurricane prep tips
- The storm may already be here, but this is a great time to make sure you have sandbags, your kit, and all your in-case-of-emergency plans settled in case of a tropical storm or hurricane.
- Find even more information to help you get prepped in our hurricane guide.
