Tropical Storm
Fay hit the coast of Florida on the evening of August 18, 2008. By this date of that year, Fay was the sixth named storm to strike the state. When it struck Florida, it had winds of up to 60 mph. While forecasters predicted the storm would head directly for Tampa and the surrounding area, it eventually curved and moved toward the state's east coast, away from Tampa. Despite this fact, Tampa experienced storm-like conditions.
Rainfall
Since Tropical Storm Fay did not hit Tampa directly, it brought little serious rainfall to the area. Throughout the duration of the storm in Florida, Tampa did receive nearly continuous rainfall, but it totaled less than an inch each day. Other areas of Florida, such as Orlando, which is 85 miles northeast of Tampa, received up to 13 inches of rainfall each day during the storm. The areas hardest hit by the storm received up to 30 inches of rain total, making Fay the fourth wettest tropical cyclone to hit the state as of 2008.
Wind
As the tropical storm neared Tampa, estimated wind speeds were around 45 mph. As a point of reference, tropical depressions, which are a step below a tropical storm, demonstrate wind speeds up to 38 mph. Tropical storms, classified by wind speeds, pack winds between 39 and 73 mph. Hurricanes, the highest level of classification, experience wind speeds greater than 74 mph.
Evacuations
Although the effect on Tampa was not as extreme as it was elsewhere, many tourists, including some from Great Britain, left the city. The Daily Mail, a British periodical, warned British visitors to seek shelter in their hotel rooms or at established shelters in Tampa. This departure of tourists undoubtedly affected the area's tourism industry.
State of Emergency
On Saturday, three days before the tropical storm had any affect on Tampa, Florida Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency. This announcement activated the National Guard, including any stationed or living in Tampa. The announcement also produced a panic within the state and households attempted to stock up on emergency provisions, including bottled water and batteries.
Tags: wind speeds, tropical storm, received inches, Tampa Florida, Tropical Storm
