getting reports from some folks around indian rocks beach and largo of up to a foot of rain in the last 24 hours. most coastal areas picked up 5 to 10 inches of rain. if you go off to the east, highlands, desoto, practically no rain at all. new advisories are just in and we continue to be under a hurricane watch for pasco, hernando and citrus county. we continue for a tropical storm warning. that considering the new is very surprising. more on that in just a second. there's your system. now up to 45 miles per hour. and the latest tracks continue to be very confident in a track off to the north. this is it. 45 miles per hour winds. we do believe it will get stronger. that is having because if this gets stronger, it will help to draw the moisture closer to it in aa sense. don't get me wrong, we will see rain tomorrow. but as a storm gets stronger,

because of that, i would be inclined to think tomorrow, while there will still be heavy rains, not nearly as widespread as we had along coastal pinellas today. this is the updated track. look at this. way to the west. look at the margin of error, the code of uncertainty. we are nowhere near that. at this point in time we're looking even better now than we were yesterday in terms of a hurricane. but in the panhandle, they're likely going to be seeing a hurricane moving on shore or the least a strong tropical storm late tomorrow night or early on friday. there's the spaghetti models. this is great. a ton of agreement for this. not so much for the panhandle but for us. it will limit the threat of wind damage. which we have been seeing all along. this is a rain event and a coastal flooding event because it has a large reach which means at high tide tomorrow, we will see more flooding around our coastal areas. in terms of the heavy prolonged

heaviest. and it's apulls away, it will take much of the ryan along -- of the rain along with it. we will give you an update on that and look at the new numbers in a couple of minutes. >> thanks, denis. now take a look at what is behind me. a family of seven right here just counting their blessings after a tree actually crashed on to their north 13th street home in the middle of all of today's storm. adam weiner shows us family is coping tonight. >> reporter: this easily could have been a terrible, terrible tragedy. seven people inside this home, including five children when that tree branch that you can see over my shoulder there came crashing down. right now the family racing to remove any of their belongings that they can as the rain continues to pour down this evening. >> we were in the bedroom. it was me, my 12-year-old and my baby and the 5-year-old. and the roof just -- it it was like a earthquake.

the ceiling. and of course, you know, my main concern was the children. and then we came out of the bedroom. and even the living room, there's tree in every room of the house. it was terrifying. the neighbors came and they helped us get out of the house through a window because the front door was closed off. >> reporter: linda kept her kids home today, believing that was the best way to keep them safe from the coming storm. her kids range from ages 12 to 5. as scary as it was, all them are okay, even their little dog principal yes. >> i'm lucky to have my kids safe. my dog is safe. we lost everything, but those are replaceable. my children can't be replaced. there is one scratch on one of their knees. that was the baby. that's all they came out of it with. untouched. thank god. >> reporter: the family is getting help tonight. the red cross is here talking with them talking about where to stay. and they have friends and

help as well-- offering them help as well. i'm adam weiner, abc action news. the following school districts will be closed tomorrow. polk county and sarasota will be open. we posted other closings and changes on our website and our free mobile app. the situation very rough in parts of pinellas county. take a look. this is largo. that is flooding that you're looking at right there. that flooding forcing some families to leave this morning. the rushing waters made it into their apartments. lauren rozyla has been in largo all day. >> reporter: this tropical storm continues to drop even more water on largo this evening. six families were forced from their homes as the rushing water made it into their apartment. this man says that he feels desperate. he says this is not the first time that this has happened and

>> i mean, this is ridiculous. this is not the first time. take the precautions from the first time so it doesn't happen again. >> it is overflowing back there. drains out into the intercoastal. it's all rubbage. they keep say they will take care of it. >> reporter: again, all of this water continues to rush downhill. it is extremely powerful. now people in the surrounding buildings are concerned that they may too also have to evacuate. as for the resident who's had to leave their homes this morning, we are safe tonight and staying with family or friends. it's unclear if they had insurance or when they will be able to return. in largo, i'm lauren rozyla, abc action news. >> in the meantime flooding has hit pasco county hart in recent years. they're bracing for more trouble tonight. eric waxler joins us live from a new port richey sand bag pick- up location out there. how are things out there, eric? >> reporter: wendy, it has been raining all day long.

this station at mitchell park in new port richey has given out 2400 of these sand bags. right now if you do come by, there's the sand. you will have to fill up the bags yourself because the inmates have left. the ones that were helping fill the bags for residents. but there is plenty of dirt here. we heard about a situation in spring hill from one of our viewers through facebook. she told us about day breeze drive in spring hill. it looks like a bomb went off. grand pianos and they are filled with water. the rain that we're getting now and possibly tomorrow will trap them at home. they recovering from the flooding in june. and here we go again. >> it's going to get ten times worse. and my car won't be moving because as it is, it needs work. i just had to put four brand- new tires on it because of this road. so, you know, it is what it is.

today because of this. >> reporter: a lot of people wondering what tomorrow will bring. again, you might have heard early pasco county schools are closed. you should be getting a robocall from the school district in the next few minutes if you haven't already. eric waxler, abc action news. >> thank you, eric. we could see more scenes today as it continues to rain. take a look at i-275. the off-ramp had to be shut down this morning because of the standing water. a lot of cars trapped high water. here is what the ramp looks like right now. i-275, traffic moving pretty slowly there. all of the headlights moving northbound. southbound a lot more clear at this hour. the ramp there that we talked about has been closed off and on all day long. this is exactly what you're reminded not to drive through. that standing water. when you can't see the road below. aaa says you can also protect yourself by making sure that your tires have enough air in them. it will make your car easier to

room between your car and the ones in front of you. we now turn to clifton french for a look at how the roads are shaping up right now. clifton. >> reporter: my -- my ear piece is going in and out. so i think you just tossed to me, jamison. but we're on 58th street in gulf port, about three inches of water where we are right now. you're going to see this bmw -- well, actually, they're doing exactly what we do. if you see this water, stop. hopefully -- well, they decided to go through it. this is the kind of thing that we have been seeing all day. the stuff has gone down quite a bit. the storm drains here are clear. the water is receding in this area. although it is raining a lot more. but earlier, the only way to get through many of the streets, many of these roads

paddling down a street. she said her home did flood slightly earlier this morning. >> earlier when the tide was high, like it started flooding in my house. so ike we got it all cleaned up finally. and that was like early in the morning, around 7:00. so i figured i would just go outside and see how it was. >> reporter: now, the near the bay have flooded and receded several times today. that all depends on the tides. several other people have been sand bagging their homes like you were seeing eric waxler talking about earlier today. people i talked to took advantage of the sand bagging stations, getting as many as they could. if you're on the road, just be extremely cautious and don't take any chances. i'm reporting live clifton

thank you, cliff. pinellas county says its 911 center is getting overwhelmed with calls. they have opened a citizens information center where you can ask questions about the storm. the number is on your screen. i've also tweeted it out. you can also call the special line for the next hour. it will reopen tomorrow morning starting at 8:00. right now the red flags are out there on clearwater beach. beach patrol warning stay away from the shore due to dangerous currents. ryan, there are people taking their chances out there anyway, right? >> reporter: that's exactly right, jamison. if you look at the conditions hundred dollars me here, this is not the clearwater beach people anticipate visiting. you see so many white caps and intense waves. that is making what the conditions are for beach patrol, urging the public to

we witnessed guys running in with their surfboards this afternoon. look at the video we shot a couple of hours ago. a handful of people in the water trying to ride the waves. sure it looks like a lot of fun but it is a serious risk. that's why some we spoke with decided to stay on the saturated sand and do skin boarding. >> you want a couple of inches of water at max. so the shallow water is night. you don't have to fight the current like over there. >> i within three feet, that's when the waves start pulling you. and they're pulling you into the direction that you're not planning on going. >> reporter: and beach patrol telling me today that the red flag warnings will be in place over the next couple of days. ryan smith, abc action news. >> and as we continue to track tropical storm hermine, there's plenty of moisture in the gulf of mexico.

tornadoes and surge and flooding? we will pinpoint the timing

>> we have all of this rain that sits on top of us. which is what we have had today. south central coast of pinellas county, you know that. the rain has extended into hillsborough and manatee as well. but the bulls eye was on top of indian rocks beach where folks had up to a foot of rain since late last night. what about the next 24 hours? first of all, there's more rain out there. a spin-up down there. this is something that we will be keeping our eyes on because there's a lot of spin in the atmosphere. for good reason, absolutely there's an area of low pressure

a lot of spin can create quick, small, spin-up tornadoes. while we're not under a tornado watch yet, i think we will be later tonight or to recall. that's the bad news. coastal flooding also an issue. there is good news out of this. as the low center is well to the west, the track continues to bring it north. if that's the case, this will stay so far to the west that i think it will at least minimize some of the surge threat, some of the tornado threat, and additional heavy rains threat. not to say that tomorrow will be a nice day at all. it will be a nasty ugly day with rain across the entire area. but i doubt we see another 12- inch rainfall along coastal pinellas county. there will be spot that's will train. no doubt. we still have to watch this because the path is not set in stone. i said this earlier.

it stays west us that will minimize the potential for widespread heavy rains tomorrow. the more west it goes, the severe threat goes along with it. 8:00 tonight, rain off and on. as we said last night, the way you have to expect this will happen, you will see off and on heavy rain right through tomorrow night. some areas closer to the coast, you're going to see more rain. and then sometimes the training low pulls away. what about the tornado threat? what about the coastal flooding threat? i think tomorrow afternoon at high tide, at about #, is when we're most concerned about the possibility of coastal flooding and high tide. one, it will be a very high tide. and the low center will be gaining strength and moving north. there will probably be another high tide thereafter that we will have to watch. you know the areas. if you have lived in the area long enough, we know the

around. from hudson down to st. pete and over across bayshore. these are areas that are know enterrous for water building up. when the water is even higher because of high tide, you're looking at a higher risk for coastal flooding. again, if the low is west, and we believe it will, that minimizes the threat of an issue for serious surge and coastal flooding. it will still be there but my point is it could have been a lot taper off. still have isolated bands, full, swinging right on through as the low pulls away. here are the updated rainfall totals. obviously over the next 24 to 48 hours, very heavy rain. whether it sets up here or here or here, too early to tell. watch us 24/7. we will be on facebook and updating all the time as conditions develop. even though it's better organized, it is capable of

at any time. live recon fixes right here. 53 miles per hour winds. so it is getting better organized. and the hurricane center even says pretty decent chance this is a minimal hurricane once it makes landfall. it will be around appalachia cola. boston is in the code of uncertainty for day five. tampa is not in the cone of uncertainty at all. that is the path that this is going to half of the u.s. if this is even close to accurate, we have nothing to worry about in terms of significant rain damage. we will see the flooding. and more rain is on the way. but with this track, with storm at almost hurricane force looks to verify by late tomorrow night in the panhandle. look at the spaghetti models. they have been wrong. it's the tropics. things change. you have to like what we're seeing here, well away from our viewing area as either a strong

hurricane. obviously you do not want to be out on the water. anywhere from 25 to up to maybe 40 knot winds. seas 10 to 12 feet. it will be rough out on the bay. the thais are important. there's a high tide tonight at 2:33 and another one tomorrow at 2:33. that is something to remember in terms of the coastal flooding threat. here is a look at florida's most accurate 7-day forecast. when things be late, bert by the weekend. with highs in the upper 80s by

now at havertys furniture, it's our labor day sale.

from now until september 5th, you'll find huge savings on stylish pieces. get free delivery, plus an extra hundred-dollars off every thousand-dollars you spend. with havertys, your home can be perfect, even when life isn't. mom? have you see my iguana? the labor day sale is on now, at havertys.

>> a final farewell today to a beloved bay area priest. more than 1500 turning out for the funeral mass of lawrence higgins. >> he founded saint lawrence

tampa. he spent 60 years in the priesthood. he leaves a remarkable legacy. >> reporter: a lifetime of service to the catholic church in the tampa bay community is being remembered. >> christ welcomed him with the words of eternal life. >> reporter: this is the church that he built and grew a faithful following. ?[music]? ?i am the good shepherd ? ? thousands over 60 years in the priesthood, working tirelessly in the church and supporting dozens of charities. >> what he strove reminds us all that we are called to make a difference. >> reporter: that deep devotion was felt by everyone who knew and loved him. >> he was a great inspiration and helped in my spiritual development and developing as a better man and husband.

priest of the people, serving the needy, helping parishioners and hobnobbing with celebrities and politicians. >> he loved every single person. didn't matter what religion they were. we have lost a wonderful man. >> reporter: he will be missed and a lifetime of love and service will leave a lasting legacy. >> he may not physically be with us any longer we know his spirit is presence and christian message respect will be ever lasting. >> may he inherit the promise of eternal life and take his place in heaven. >> reporter: kera mashek, abc action news. flooded roads causing an issue for parents trying to pick their kids up from school. a look at the flooded roads and how it is having an impact

>> live from the station taking action for you, this is abc action news. >> now at 5:30, tropical storm hermine gaining strength and moving closer tonight. i'm paul lagrone. >> and i'm laura harris. you can see flooding pretty much in all of the major areas. it's a big concern for people right now in our area. we have team coverage for you all evening long as we continue to monitor what is going on in the tropics. our team is all across the bay area county. >> chief meteorologist denis phillips leading us off tonight with a brand-new update. denis. >> that's right, guys. we have heavy rain across the area. unfortunately for folks who have seen flooding today, there is more on the way. no way around this. a ragged weak tropical storm will very often bring you heavier rainfall totals than you can see with even a hurricane. and extending into tomorrow, we have to consider a few other options. maybe the possibility of power

the coast. you see the power outage forecast. if you live closer to the coast, you're likely to have gusty winds there. here is something that is improving. if you were watching earlier, the track continues to shift west. so because of that, the threat for tornadoes also begins to shift away from our area as well. in fact, the hurricane center and the storm prediction center says there's really only a marginal risk of a tornado or two in the area. a slight the center should cross. there in a nutshell is the key to the forecast. if this storm continues to move off to the northwest, and in my opinion it will, then it will do a couple of things. as it gets stronger, it will consolidate the moisture around it. kind of like a figure skater does when they spin. they bring everything in. that will help to bring the moisture closer to the center. that's a good thing. that will limit the extensive