While the National Hurricane Center has lowered the probability of any tropical cyclone formation in the northeast of the Gulf of Mexico, A weak area of low pressure located inland over northeastern Florida is generating showers and thunderstorms. It is moving in a north by northwesterly direction.
This low-pressure system and a developing weather system along the Gulf Coast is of concern. In a statement issued Saturday, FDEM director Bryan W. Koon says the National Weather Service “expects this to be a slow moving heavy rain event which could last through Thursday,” affecting parts of the Big Bend and Panhandle where 10 to 20 inches of rain is possible.
A flood watch is in effect for Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties until Tuesday morning. Flash flooding could also occur in areas receiving three or more inches of rain in a short time, with the highest rainfall amounts expected along and west of I-75, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
On Saturday, Pasco County and New Port Richey officials began distributing sandbags free to residents in preparation for the heavy rainfall expected this week.
In Louisiana, residents and businesses can expect four to six inches of rain over the next seven days, according to local station WWL.com. Rain chances in the New Orleans metro area will increase from 40 to 50 percent on Sunday to over 70 percent the rest of the week.
