Tropical Storm — Hernando, Florida

2013-06-06 to 2013-06-07 · Hernando, Florida

Event narrative

Tropical storm force winds were felt along the coast of Hernando county during the afternoon of the 6th. Storm total precipitation ranged from around 2.5 inches to around 4.5 inches across the county, with the CoCoRaHS site FL-HN-8 located 3 miles north of Weeki Wachee measuring the highest total of 4.69 inches. Peak storm tide was estimated to be around 4 to 5 feet MLLW on the afternoon of the 6th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the highest storm surge was estimated to be around 3 to 4 feet MLLW late in the afternoon of the 6th.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Andrea developed in the Gulf of Mexico on the morning of the 5th and moved northeast, making landfall 10 miles south of Steinhatchee, FL early on the evening of the 6th. At it's peak, Tropical Storm Andrea had a minimum surface pressure of 992 MB.

Tropical storm force winds were estimated by the National Hurricane Center Hurricane Research Division to extend along the coast as far south as Pinellas County, including extending several miles inland in Levy County. Additionally, several weather stations in Hillsborough County along the Tampa Bay measured frequent gusts and even sustained winds of 34 knots or greater. Sites farther south measuring only occasional wind gusts inside of thunderstorms. The highest sustained wind recorded was 41 knots at the ARPSWXNET mesonet site CW6730 on Davis Island in Hillsborough Bay. The highest wind gust recorded was 49 knots also at CW6730.

Rainfall totals across the area were as high as 6 inches for the 5th-7th, with the highest values over Nature Coast through Tampa Bay region. The highest single station storm total rainfall was at the CoCoRaHS site FL-LV-9 located 8.5 miles east northeast of Chiefland in Levy County, measuring the 6.17 inches. Minor street flooding was reported in Levy, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, De Soto, and Charlotte Counties.

Storm surge was relatively minor, with sites from Tampa Bay to Cedar Key recording storm tides of up to 6 feet MLLW, and storm surge of 2-4 feet. South of Tampa Bay, storm surge and storm tide were both less than 3 feet. The highest storm tide recorded was 6.26 feet MLLW at the tide gauge at Cedar Key, with a storm surge of 4.08 feet MLLW calculated by subtracting the predicted tide from the storm tide.

In Levy County, tropical storm force winds were felt along and just inland of the coast during the afternoon of the 6th. The highest gust recorded was 44 knots at both the CKYF1 and CDRF1 weather stations in Cedar Key, with both sites also recording periods of sustained winds of 35 knots. Storm total precipitation ranged from 2 inches to just over 6 inches across the county, with the CoCoRaHS site FL-LV-9 located 8.5 miles east northeast of Chiefland measuring the highest total of 6.17 inches. Peak storm tide at the Cedar Key tide gauge reached 6.26 feet MLLW on the afternoon of the 6th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the calculated highest storm surge was 4.08 feet MLLW late in the afternoon of the 6th.

In Citrus County, tropical storm force winds were felt along the coast during the afternoon of the 6th. Storm total precipitation ranged from 2 inches to almost 6 inches across the county, with the CoCoRaHS site FL-CT-7 located 5.3 miles north-northeast of Crystal River measuring the highest total of 5.87 inches. Peak storm tide was estimated to be around 5 feet MLLW on the afternoon of the 6th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the highest storm surge was estimated to be around 3 to 4 feet MLLW late in the afternoon of the 6th.

In Hernando County, tropical storm force winds were felt along the coast during the afternoon of the 6th. Storm total precipitation ranged from around 2.5 inches to around 4.5 inches across the county, with the CoCoRaHS site FL-HN-8 located 3 miles north of Weeki Wachee measuring the highest total of 4.69 inches. Peak storm tide was estimated to be around 4 to 5 feet MLLW on the afternoon of the 6th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the highest storm surge was estimated to be around 3 to 4 feet MLLW late in the afternoon of the 6th.

In Pasco County, tropical storm force winds were felt along the coast during the afternoon of the 6th. Storm total precipitation across the county ranged from 2 inches to just over 6 inches, with the CoCoRaHS site FL-PS-43 located 1.5 miles south-southeast of Land O' Lakes measuring the highest total of 6.07 inches. Peak storm tide was estimated to be around 4 feet MLLW on the afternoon of the 6th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the highest storm surge was estimated to be around 3 feet MLLW late in the afternoon of the 6th.

In Pinellas County, tropical storm force winds were felt along the coast during the afternoon of the 6th. The highest gust recorded was 43 knots at both the NOW-NWLON station CWBF1 in Clearwater and the APRSWXNET site CW4299 on Treasure Island. Additionally, the CWBF1 weather station in Clearwater Beach measured sustained winds of 35 knots. Storm total precipitation ranged from 2.5 inches to over 5 inches across the county, with the CoCoRaHS site FL-PN-17 located 0.6 miles east of South Pasadena measuring the highest total of 5.37 inches. Peak storm tide at the Clearwater tide gauge on the Gulf Coast measured 4.49 feet MLLW on the afternoon of the 6th. At the Saint Petersburg tide gauge in Tampa Bay, the storm tide was 4.28 feet. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the calculated highest storm surges for Clearwater and Saint Petersburg, respectively, were 2.92 and 2.47 feet MLLW late in the afternoon of the 6th.

In Hillsborough County, tropical storm force winds were felt along the coast during the afternoon of the 6th. The highest gust recorded was 49 knots at the ARPSWXNET mesonet site CW6730 on Davis Island in Hillsborough Bay. Additionally, the same site measured sustained winds of 41 knots. Storm total precipitation across the county ranged from 2 inches to over 5 inches, with the CoCoRaHS site FL-HB-37 located 2 miles east of Lutz measuring the highest total of 5.21 inches. Peak storm tide at the Old Port Tampa tide gauge measured 4.82 feet MLLW on the afternoon of the 6th. At the McKay Bay Entrance tide gauge, the storm tide was 5.05 feet. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the calculated highest storm surges for Old Port Tampa and Mckay Bay Entrance, respectively, were 2.80 and 2.97 feet MLLW late in the afternoon of the 6th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 463068. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.