Community Corner

Hurricane Rina Strengthening; Rain in Our Forecast

The storm is churning its way north from Mexican coast.

Weather forecasters are keeping an eye on Hurricane Rina, a Category 2 storm swirling off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula that could strengthen and possibly threaten the Tampa Bay area later this week.

The latest maps from the National Hurricane Center on Wednesday morning placed Bradenton and Sarasota just within the storm's "cone of uncertainty" as it is expected to move over the western Caribbean toward Cuba and South Florida this weekend.

Rina, with sustained winds of 110 mph, "has the potential to become a major hurricane today or tonight," forecasters in Miami said Wednesday. It is expected to bring rainfall amounts of 8 to 16 inches over the Mexican coast and Cozumel and a storm surge with large and destructive waves.

The National Weather Service's seven-day forecast for Land O' Lakes calls for a 50 percent chance of showers Friday and a 20 percent chance on Saturday. No specific storm warnings have been issued for the area.


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