As Hurricane Hermine made landfall early Friday along Florida's Big Bend region, the storm brought expected storm surge to that area and down to the northern part of the Bay area.
- Hurricane Center
- Hurricane Hermine makes landfall
- FRIDAY: Cloudy with decreasing winds and heavy rain. Expect more coastal flooding
- Bay News 9's team of weather experts will update conditions every 10 minutes throughout the day
- Our reporters will be live with reports on Hermine's aftermath
The accompanying rain bands and high winds helped water breach seawalls and led to widespread flooding and forced evacuations.
Evacuations took place early Friday in Ozello, Hernando Beach, and New Port Richey.
According to emergency officials, surge waters entered homes in Cedar Key, Ozello, Hernando Beach, Green Key and Hudson Beach.
"The rain bands set up right on top of us," said Bay News 9 Meteorologist Brian McClure. "The strong winds are moving in from the south-southwest so storm surge is ongoing from the Big Bend down to Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties where all this water is being shoved up against the sea walls."
On top of that, McClure said, the rain bands are moving very slowly, putting tons of more rain onto already saturated areas.
"Some areas (in the Bay area) will pile up five more inches of rain," McClure said. "On top of what we have already received this week."
Emergency crews were forced to get some people out of their Nature Coast homes in boats and humvees.
Meanwhile, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office shut down Ozello Rd at US Hwy 19 due to flooding. Local residents can return only in an emergency.
Also shut down was Ft. Island Trail west of Shrimp Landings. This road will be closed to all traffic due to flooding.
Flood waters moved into parts of Hernando and Pasco county homes and even as far south as Clearwater Beach, where beachfront hotels had flood waters swamp Gulfview Boulevard and parts of other roads.
Officials are monitoring flood waters from Citrus County down to northern Pinellas County.