ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — While Tuesday's storm system cleared out of the Tampa Bay region, people living in coastal areas remained on high alert for flooding.
People near the immediate bay were facing a possible 2-3 foot water rise.
The National Weather Service found evidence that an EF-0 tornado likely touched down Tuesday afternoon just south of Downtown St. Petersburg.
Elsewhere, strong thunderstorms brought down tree branches and tore up a backyard awning in the Eagles neighborhood in northwestern Hillsborough County.
7:06 p.m. A tornado warning was issued for Highlands County through 7:30 p.m.
6:53 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning continues until 7:30 p.m. for parts of DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties. Wind gusts to 60 mph are possible.
6:47 p.m.: The squall line continues pushing through portions of DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties.
6:16 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 7 p.m. for portions of DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties. Wind gusts to 60 mph are possible.
5:49 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 6:15 p.m. for parts of DeSoto and Sarasota counties. Wind gusts to 60 mph and pea-sized hail are possible.
5:28 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 6:15 p.m. for parts of DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk and Sarasota counties. Wind gusts to 60 mph are possible. Pea-sized hail is possible, as well.
4:58 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 5:30 p.m. for parts of Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Wind gusts to 60 mph are possible.
4:50 p.m.: Residents in the Eagles neighborhood in northwestern Hillsborough County are assessing the damage after strong to severe storms moved through.
4:45 p.m.: The tornado warning earlier in effect for Hillsborough County has been allowed to expire.
4:36 p.m.: Strong storms are seen from the downtown Tampa area. There are no immediate reports of damage.
4:31 p.m.: A tornado warning is in effect until 4:45 p.m. for parts of Tampa and central Hillsborough County.
4:31 p.m.: Previous tornado warnings in effect for Pinellas County are no longer in effect.
4:22 p.m.: A tornado warning is in effect until 4:45 p.m. for parts of southeastern Pinellas County, including the city of St. Petersburg.
4:12 p.m.: A tornado warning is in effect until 4:30 p.m. for parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. The storm is moving generally east and will effect portions of South Tampa.
4 p.m.: The tornado warning earlier issued for Pinellas County has been allowed to expire.
3:54 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 4:30 p.m. for parts of Pinellas County. Wind gusts to 60 mph are possible.
3:43 p.m.: A tornado warning is in effect until 4 p.m. for parts of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.
3:41 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 4:15 p.m. for parts of Citrus County. Wind gusts to 60 mph and pea-sized hail are possible.
Forecasters warned of a possible tornado, too.
2:43 p.m.: The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners declares a local state of emergency to respond to possible impacts.
2 p.m.: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay closes early for the day because of the threat of severe weather. It will reopen at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
1:19 p.m.: The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners declares a local state of emergency to respond to possible impacts.
1:15 p.m.: A tornado watch has been issued through 9 p.m. for portions of Central Florida. A few tornadoes and a couple of intense tornadoes are possible, and 70-mph scattered damaging wind gusts are likely.