WCF SECTION SPECIAL BULLETIN #7 – 2030 – 9/01/16
HERMINE BECOMES A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE, NEARS LANDFALL AND LOCAL TORNADO WATCH IS ISSUED.
Earlier this afternoon, Hermine was upgraded from a Tropical Storm to a Category 1 Hurricane. At 2000, Hurricane Hermine had sustained winds near 80 MPH near the center and was located just 45 miles south-southeast of Apalachicola. Hermine is expected to make landfall late this evening or early Friday morning.
The National Hurricane Center has extended the Tropical Storm Warning to Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties as well as the coastal waters of Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties. Also the National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Polk Counties in the West Central Florida Section and many counties to the north as well. A main squall line is now coming ashore in the Tampa Bay Area.
Please continue to monitor the latest advisories from the National Hurricane Center.