Tampa Outside Forecast Cone in Latest Advisory for Tropical Storm Emily

The latest intermediate advisory for Tropical Storm Emily shows a storm that continues to move westward and that "remains poorly organized."

The report now shows the Tampa Bay area outside the 5-day forecast cone, which does include, however, the east coast of Florida.

Below is a rundown on the latest intermediate advisory from the National Hurricane Center (issued Aug. 3 at 8 a.m. AST), followed by a listing of safety tips and links for Greater Brandon residents. We'll update the report with each new advisory and re-post as well news you need to know now --  and even moreso as the storm's track takes on a firmer definition.

Here's the latest from the National Hurricane Center:

Location:

• Tropical Storm Emily is about 145 miles south-southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Maximum Sustained Winds:

• Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles, mainly to the north and east of the center.
• Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 miles per hour, with higher gusts.
• Slight strengthening is possible before the center moves over the high terrain of Hispaniola.

Movement:

• Tropical Storm Emily is moving west at 14 miles per hour. A turn to the northwest with little change in forward speed is expected later today, Aug. 3.
• This forecast track brings the center of the storm across Hispaniola late today and tonight and into the southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos islands on Aug. 4.

Warnings and Watches:

• A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Puerto Rico (Vieques and Culebra), the Dominican Republic, Haiti amd the southeast Bahams and Turks and Caicos islands.
• A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the central Bahamas.

Center of the Storm:

• Estimated to be near latitude 16.6 north and longitude 69.0 west.

Warnings and Watches:

• A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the southeast Bahamas and for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Also, for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Puerto Rico (Vieques and Culebra), the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Wind Expectations:

• Tropical storm conditions are occurring or imminent in Puertor Rico, Culebra and Vieques and should spread into the Dominican Republic and Haiti later today and tonight.
• Tropical storm conditions expected to spread over the southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands on Aug. 4.
• Tropical storm conditions possible in the central Bahamas by nightfall Aug. 4.

Rainfall Expectations:

• Accumulations of 4-6 inches in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, with possible isolated amounts of 10 inches.
• Accumulations of 2-4 inches expected in the southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos islands.
• Rains could sause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides in areas of mountainous terrain.

Storm Surge Expectations:

• Storm surge will raise water levels by 1-2 feet above normal in the Tropical Storm Warning area. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.

Next Complete Advisory:

• Aug. 3 at 11 a.m. AST

Previous Brandon Patch Reports:

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Brandon Patch posted information about as part of its Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week  coverage. The posting includes links to other weather events and to the hazardous weather background, tips and information posted by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross.

The Hurricane Preparedness Website offers extensive links and information about:

• Hurricane history,
• Hurricane hazards,
• Hurricane forecasts,
• Hurricane preapredness, and
• Actions to take to save lives as work and home and while on the road or in the water.

At a more local level, the charts below contain information necessary for Hillsborough County residents, as provided by county officials: