The storm is now a tropical depression and Polk County is under a Tropical Storm Watch.
As of August 3, 2024 8:00 a.m. here is the current condition of the storm:
Location: 22.2°N 81.5°W
Moving: WNW at 16 mph
Min pressure: 1009 mb
Max sustained: 30 mph
Tropical Depression Four is expected to become a tropical storm later today or tonight and strengthen over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.
From the National Hurricane Center:
“Heavy rainfall may result in locally considerable flash and urban flooding across portions of Florida and the coastal areas of the Southeast U.S. this weekend through Wednesday. Isolated river flooding will also be possible.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for portions of west-central Florida and the Big Bend region, where hurricane conditions are possible late Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are expected farther south along Florida’s west coast, including the Tampa Bay area, and across the Dry Tortugas where Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect.
There is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from storm surge along portions of the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to Aucilla River, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, where a Storm Surge Watch is in effect.
Impacts from storm surge, strong winds, and and heavy rains are possible elsewhere in Florida and along the southeast coast of the United States from Georgia to North Carolina through the middle of next week, and interests in those areas should continue to monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches and warnings will likely be required later today.”
Lakeland, Winter Haven and Bartow are currently under a Tropical Storm Watch.
Here is the full weather alert from the National Weather Service:
“* LOCATIONS AFFECTED – Lakeland – Winter Haven – Bartow
* WIND – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind – Peak Wind Forecast: 10-20 mph with gusts to 25 mph
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph – The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force. – PREPARE: Efforts to protect property should now be underway. Prepare for limited wind damage. – ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited – 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. – Scattered power and communications outages.
* FLOODING RAIN – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain – The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. – PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. – ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant – Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. – Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. – Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
* TORNADO – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes – The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a few tornadoes. – PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. – ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited – The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. – A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. – Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and boats pulled from moorings.”
