TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Storms wreak havoc with Bay area communities, commuters

News Channel 8 photo by CHIP OSOWSKI

About 10 families evacuated after heavy flooding in Port Richey in Pasco County.

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: July 1, 2009

Updated: 07/01/2009 05:05 pm

TAMPA - Heavy rains pelted Tampa today and continued to put out Bay area commuters and communities throughout the day.

By midafternoon, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reported road closures on Davis Road and Morris Bridge, Owens and Highway 674 and Adamo Drive and 50th Street.

Earlier in the day, a flood alert was issued for Dale Mabry Highway between Kennedy and Bay to Bay boulevards in Tampa, and flooding had been reported along the Selmon Crosstown Expressway near 22nd Street. U.S. 41 between Adamo Drive and Causeway Boulevard was also flooded.

Tampa International Airport played catch-up following the downpours. Altogether, airlines reported delays on 22 departing flights. Arriving flights are faring better, with 14 reported behind schedule this morning, most of which were less than 15 minutes late.

AAA Auto Club fielded more than 100 calls by 9:30 a.m. in South Tampa alone. Most of the calls were because of flooding and water entering vehicles. By noon the car service club was up to 200 calls and caught up.

"It was probably 10 times the volume we've ever seen," said Josh Morey, regional manager of AAA Auto Club South. "

Members are able to call the service before they head for weather updates and road closures. But when in doubt, wait it out, Morey advised.

"Don't attempt to go through deep waters, because most of the time they're not going to make it," Morey said. "If you see people stalled out with their flashers on, turn around."

Tribune reporters Sarah Hoye, Lisa Davis, Ted Jackovics and Keith Morelli, TBO.com's Alicia Roberts and News Channel 8 meteorologist Leigh Spann and News Channel 8 reporter Krista Klaus contributed to this report.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT