Tropical Storm — Inland Hillsborough, Florida

2023-08-30 · Inland Hillsborough, Florida

Event narrative

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 55 to 65 mph, with a maximum gust of 61 mph near Tampa International Airport at 3:39 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 4 to 7 inches, with a maximum total of 6.26 inches near Riverview. The peak recorded water level of 6.56 feet (NAVD88) along the Alafia River at U.S. Highway 301 at 6:45 AM EST on August 30 surpassed the previous record of 6.2 feet, set as Hurricane Frances moved across the peninsula from the Atlantic on September 06, 2004. A peak water level of 4.18 feet above MHHW was measured at Old Port Tampa at 5:30 AM EST on August 30. Peak water levels measured elsewhere along coastal Hillsborough County generally ranged from 3 to 5 feet above MHHW. Elevated water levels submerged or partially inundated various roadways and structures along the immediate waterfront. 71 structures had major flood damage, and 10 had minor damage. The damage was mainly limited to surge/river flooding on the Alafia around US 301 and west to Tampa Bay, and the Little Manatee River between US 41 and Interstate 75.

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Idalia made landfall just to the north of the local area near Keaton Beach, FL in Taylor county in Florida's Big Bend as a category 3 hurricane and brought devastating storm surge and wind impacts all along the west Florida coast, especially in closer vicinity to the landfall area across the Nature Coast. Storm surge flooding reached into homes and businesses as far south as Lee county, and the surge inundation is the highest on record for the Cedar Key area.

County-by-County Impacts

Charlotte County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 55 to 65 mph, with a maximum gust of 61 mph near Charlotte Harbor at 1:49 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 4 to 7 inches, with a maximum total of 6.11 inches near Harbour Heights. A peak water level of 3.57 feet above MHHW was measured at North Port Charlotte at 5:45 AM EST on August 30. Peak water levels estimated elsewhere along coastal Charlotte County generally ranged from 2 to 4 feet above MHHW. Elevated water levels affected areas along the immediate waterfront. US 41 was closed at Peace River Bridge due to flooding in downtown Punta Gorda, and 12 roadways were impassable due to saltwater inundation. 66 structures had major damage, and 14 had minor damage, with power outages affecting over 14,000.

Citrus County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 60 to 70 mph, with a maximum gust of 64 mph near Crystal River at 5:15 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 2 to 5 inches, with a maximum total of 5.2 inches near Inverness. A peak water level of 7.01 feet above MHHW was measured at the mouth of Crystal River near Shell Island at 8:45 AM EST on August 30. Peak water levels measured elsewhere along coastal Citrus County generally ranged from 4 to 7 feet. Elevated water levels submerged or partially inundated numerous roadways and structures along the immediate waterfront. Over 6,450 structures had inundation, with 72% being residential, 20% multi-family, and 8% commercial.

DeSoto County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 30 to 40 mph, with a maximum gust of 35 mph near Arcadia at 12:53 PM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 5 to 8 inches, with a maximum total of 7.11 inches near Arcadia. Power outages impacted 3,390.

Hardee County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 35 to 45 mph. Rainfall ranged from 3 to 6 inches, with a maximum total of 4.64 inches near Ona.

Hernando County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 50 to 60 mph, with a maximum gust of 58 mph at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport at 6:03 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 1 to 3 inches, with a maximum total of 2.88 inches near Spring Hill. Elevated water levels submerged or partially inundated various roadways and structures along the immediate waterfront. There were 115 structures with major damage, 39 with minor damage, and 1 structure was destroyed.

Highlands County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 40 to 50 mph, with a maximum gust of 47 mph at Sebring Regional Airport at 3:15 PM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 1 to 3 inches, with a maximum total of 2.18 inches near Sebring. A tornado was observed near Avon Park, however no notable damage was reported.

Hillsborough County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 55 to 65 mph, with a maximum gust of 61 mph near Tampa International Airport at 3:39 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 4 to 7 inches, with a maximum total of 6.26 inches near Riverview. The peak recorded water level of 6.56 feet (NAVD88) along the Alafia River at U.S. Highway 301 at 6:45 AM EST on August 30 surpassed the previous record of 6.2 feet, set as Hurricane Frances moved across the peninsula from the Atlantic on September 06, 2004. A peak water level of 4.18 feet above MHHW was measured at Old Port Tampa at 5:30 AM EST on August 30. Peak water levels measured elsewhere along coastal Hillsborough County generally ranged from 3 to 5 feet above MHHW. Elevated water levels submerged or partially inundated various roadways and structures along the immediate waterfront. 71 structures had major flood damage, and 10 had minor damage. The damage was mainly limited to surge/river flooding on the Alafia around US 301 and west to Tampa Bay, and the Little Manatee River between US 41 and Interstate 75.

Lee County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 45 to 55 mph, with a maximum gust of 49 mph at Tarpon Point at 10:45 PM EST on August 29. Rainfall ranged from 2 to 5 inches, with a maximum total of 4.56 inches near Fort Myers. A peak water level of 3.2 feet above MHHW was measured at Fort Myers at 1:24 PM EST on August 30. Peak water levels estimated elsewhere along coastal Lee County generally ranged from 2 to 4 feet above MHHW. Elevated water levels affected areas along the immediate waterfront. There were no destroyed structures or ones with major damage. However, 51 had minor damage with 153 affected. Damage included scattered minor roof, siding, and soffit damage throughout the barrier islands from Captiva to Sanibel to Fort Myers Beach and through Bonita Beach. Minor salt water flooding in isolated homes near Bonita Beach, and Matlacha had 23 homes with minor flood damage.

Levy County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 60 to 70 mph, with a maximum gust of 69 mph at Cedar Key at 5:32 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 1 to 3 inches, with a maximum total of 2.34 inches near Archer. The peak recorded water level of 6.89 feet above MHHW at Cedar Key at 7:48 AM EST on August 30 surpassed the previous record of 6.1 feet above MHHW, set during Hurricane Hermine on September 02, 2016. Peak water levels measured elsewhere along coastal Levy County generally ranged from 4 to 7 feet above MHHW. Elevated water levels submerged or partially inundated numerous roadways and structures along the immediate waterfront.

Manatee County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 60 to 70 mph, with a maximum gust of 70 mph at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport at 2:22 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 4 to 7 inches, with a maximum total of 6.74 inches near Bradenton. A peak water level of 3.69 feet above MHHW was measured at Port Manatee at 7:54 AM EST on August 30. Peak water levels measured elsewhere along coastal Manatee County generally ranged from 2 to 4 feet above MHHW. Elevated water levels affected areas along the immediate waterfront and Riverfront through the downtown Bradenton area. 25 structures had major damage, and 2 had minor damage.

Pasco County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 45 to 55 mph, with a maximum gust of 45 mph near Hudson at 5:30 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 2 to 4 inches, with a maximum total of 4.05 inches near Wesley Chapel. One fatality occurred in Pasco county as the storm was approaching, due to a single vehicle automobile accident involving a 40-year-old male driving in the heavy rain and hitting a tree. Elevated water levels submerged or partially inundated various roadways and structures along the immediate waterfront. There were 2,195 registrations for assistance, and 2,700cubic yards of debris were collected as of September 11th, with 480 tons of debris self-hauled.

Pinellas County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 60 to 70 mph, with a maximum gust of 61 mph at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport at 3:43 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 2 to 4 inches, with a maximum total of 3.83 inches near Feather Sound. A peak water level of 4.05 feet above MHHW was measured at Clearwater Beach at 6:00 AM EST on August 30. Peak water levels measured elsewhere along coastal Pinellas County generally ranged from 3 to 5 feet above MHHW. Over 70 water rescues were conducted, with nearly a dozen of those for pets, and 43 dogs and 29 cats were sheltered. Damage estimates currently total $23.4 million. 10 structures were destroyed, 45 inaccessible, 811 had major damage, 1,016 had minor damage, and 822 were affected. 27,000 were without power. The greatest impact was along the coastal areas of the county, including Shore Acres, Riviera Bay, Johns Pass to St. Pete Beach, and an area north of Dunedin.

Polk County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 40 to 50 mph, with a maximum gust of 47 mph at Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport at 5:43 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 3 to 6 inches, with a maximum total of 5.28 inches near Bartow.

Sarasota County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 60 to 70 mph, with a maximum gust of 62 mph near Sarasota at 12:18 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 4 to 7 inches, with a maximum total of 6.5 inches near Sarasota. A peak water level of 3.08 feet above MHHW was measured at Venice at 1:30 AM EST on August 30. Peak water levels estimated elsewhere along coastal Sarasota County generally ranged from 2 to 4 feet above MHHW. Elevated water levels affected areas along the immediate waterfront. Damage is estimated at $2.7 million. There were 18 structures destroyed, with 1,100 with major damage. St. Armands Circle had inundation around 1 foot into businesses and homes surrounding it. The intersection of US 41 and Fruitville Road was closed due to storm surge flooding, Casey Key Road and Manasota Key Road were washed out, and a Tiki Bar on Sarasota Bayfront had its roof peeled back causing significant flooding. 8,000 homes were without power.

Sumter County - Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 35 to 45 mph, with a maximum gust of 36 mph near Bushnell at 5:54 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 1 to 2 inches, with a maximum total of 1.21 inches near Lady Lake. There were 8 road closures due to fallen trees and power lines, with 509 without power. On CR 740 at the RV Park, there was damage to the block wall and a pole barn.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1135403. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.