Potential tropical storm could deluge Florida's west coast, forecast says

Forecasters say a weather system moving across Cuba early Friday will likely become a tropical storm as it moves into the Gulf, with the potential for heavy rain across Florida's west coast this weekend.

Why it matters: Tampa Bay has been placed under a state of emergency and a tropical storm watch, as the National Hurricane Center warns that the system could cause widespread flooding.

The latest: In its 11am forecast, the NHC's storm track projected the system approaching Tampa Bay as a tropical storm by 8am Sunday, before passing through the Big Bend and northeast across the state.

• "Coastal flooding is possible along portions of the west coast of Florida over the weekend," the advisory said.
• If it develops as expected, the system would become Tropical Storm Debby.

Yes, but: Because the storm is expected to move "almost parallel" to the west coast, a small shift in its track could cause major changes in which coastal areas are most affected, NHC said.

Zoom in: Local governments on Friday morning announced sandbag distribution sites, including:

St. Petersburg

• Full-service sandbag sites: Lake Maggiore Park, 3601 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. S.; Northeast Park, 955 62nd Ave. N.; Northwest Swimming Pool, 2331 60th St. N.
• Self-service sites: Dell Homes Park, 2741 22nd St. S.; Fossil Park, 6875 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. N.; Walter Fuller Soccer Field, 2800 75th St. N.
• Sites are open 7am-7pm Friday and Saturday. Households are limited to 10 bags and will need proof of residency.

Hillsborough County

• Sandbags are available until 7pm Friday and 9am-2pm Saturday.
• Sites: Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City; E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. N.W., Ruskin; Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Dr., Tampa; Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St. Tampa.

Dunedin

• Pre-filled sandbags are available at Highlander Park, 903 Michigan Blvd. Noon-7pm Friday. Proof of residency required.

Pinellas Park

• A drive-thru sandbag site will be at 6151 78th Ave N. until 7pm Friday. Limit 10 sandbags; proof of residency required.