THE LATEST:
- Tropical Storm Emily formed just west of Tampa
- Gov. Rick Scott declared State of Emergency
- Downgraded to a depression
- Closings and delays
Tropical Storm Emily formed in the Gulf of Mexico early Monday morning and made landfall near Anna Maria Island around 10:45 a.m.
The storm continued to move across Florida and was downgraded to a depression just before 5 p.m.
Forecasters say Emily should enter the Atlantic by Tuesday, with some slow strengthening in the forecast once the storm system is back out over open water. A tropical storm warning along Florida's Gulf Coast has been discontinued.
PHOTOS | Flooding & Damage from Tropical Storm Emily
INTERACTIVE RADAR | Track Tropical Storm Emily
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STATE OF EMERGENCY
Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 31 counties in Florida in response to Tropical Storm Emily. A state of emergency gives the state the flexibility to work with local governments to ensure they have all the resources they may need. Tropical storm warnings are currently in effect for Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee Counties. At this time, there are no evacuation orders in effect. The Florida National Guard stands ready to assist with any storm related impacts.
RELATED | Sandbag locations to help residents prepare for bad weather
Rain from Tropical Storm Emily caused localized flooding.
Meteorologist Greg Dee says he expects things to improve some by the afternoon and evening along the coast as the heaviest rain shifts inland through the day.
FLOOD WATCHES
Flood Watches were issued in Hillsborough County, Sarasota County, Lee County, Highlands County, Hardee County, DeSoto County and Pinellas County, but have expired.
EMILY | Center of tropical storm #Emily 43 miles SW of #Tampa & 30 miles W of Bradenton. #flwx #GMTB #Florida pic.twitter.com/GV8jBXQhbn
— Greg Dee (@GregDeeWeather) July 31, 2017
Tropical Storm #Emily is perched off the Pinellas coast. If you venture in the water today, beware of risk of rip currents. pic.twitter.com/vYUg5lkBpH
— @clearwaterfire (@clearwaterfire) July 31, 2017
ABC Action News will continue to track the storm, check back on abcactionnews.com for updates.
Click here for today's weather forecast.
