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WGUS72 KTBW 221507

FFSTBW

FLZ050>052-055>057-060>062-065-222100-



FLOOD STATEMENT...COR EXPIRATION TIME

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY AREA - RUSKIN FL

1030 AM EDT SUN JUL 22 2001



...A FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PINELLAS...HILLSBOROUGH...

POLK...MANATEE...SARASOTA...DESOTO...HARDEE...HIGHLANDS...CHARLOTTE

AND LEE COUNTIES THROUGH TODAY...



THE COMBINATION OF AN UPPER LEVEL LOW AND SURFACE LOW WILL PROVIDE

AMPLE MOISTURE AND INSTABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAIN TODAY.

THE HEAVIEST RAIN WILL FALL GENERALLY FROM THE TAMPA BAY AREA

SOUTHWARD.



TODAYS HEAVY RAIN ON TOP OF RECENT HEAVY RAINS WILL CAUSE AREAS OF

URBAN FLOODING. DRAINAGE CULVERTS AND LOW LYING INTERSECTIONS ARE

PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE. MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO USE CAUTION WHEN

DRIVING TODAY AND AVOID FLOODED ROADWAYS.



HEAVY RAIN CAUSED FLOODING IN MANATEE COUNTY OVERNIGHT WITH SEVERAL

ROADS IMPASSABLE AND WATER IN A COUPLE HOMES.  THIS AFTERNOON EXPECT

THE HEAVIEST RAIN TO BE MORE INLAND WITH WIDESPREAD THUNDERSTORMS

RETURNING TO COASTAL AREAS OVERNIGHT.



A FLOOD WATCH MEANS FLOODING IS POSSIBLE THROUGH AT LEAST THIS

AFTERNOON. RESIDENTS LIVING IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS SHOULD TAKE ACTION

TO PROTECT PROPERTY...AND BE PREPARED TO LEAVE QUICKLY IF FLOODING

DEVELOPS.

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