SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – (March 5, 2026) — Afternoon thunderstorms produced up to 7 inches of rainfall Thursday in parts of the Suncoast, totals that are unusual for this time of year, according to estimated rainfall data. The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory today for NE Manatee County due to the copious amount of rainfall from these summer-like thunderstorms.
Heaviest rainfall in southeast Hillsborough County
Estimated rainfall data showed one concentrated area in southeast Hillsborough County recording approximately 7 inches from the afternoon storms. The line of storms tracked toward Anna Maria Island, Palmetto, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge bringing a tremendous amount of lightning and heavy rainfall through that area during the evening hours.
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