Florida, 2019

Damaging Wind and Rip Current in Florida, June 8, 2019

June 8, 2019 · NWS TBW · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

A microburst caused wind damage to a pole barn, trees, and vehicles in Hardee County.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
1
Injuries
0
Property damage
$25,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
2

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS TBW wrote it up.

A microburst caused wind damage to a pole barn, trees, and vehicles in Hardee County.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Tampa Bay, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 8, 8:33 AM EST, 4 hours 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 8, 8:33 AM EST, 4 hours 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
933 AM EDT Sat Jun 8 2019

.UPDATE...
It has been a wet start to the weekend with some heavy showers and
storms north of Tampa Bay and along the nature coast. The high
pressure ridge has shifted south of Florida while a stationary
frontal boundary remains north of Florida. Persistent southwest
winds are pumping abundant moisture over the region which is
allowing for scattered showers and isolated storms through the day
to continue. The coastal portion of Pasco County northward to Citrus
county has already seen between 2-4 inches already this morning and
higher amounts are expected as rainfall continues to train in from
the gulf waters. The radar is only showing a spotty shower or two
from Tampa Bay southward and based on the latest HRRR guidance, this
pattern will continue through the day. The forecast looks ok for now
with no significant changes needed.

&&

.AVIATION...
It is shaping up to be a messy day across Florida today. Showers are
already moving in from the gulf primarily north of Tampa Bay. Will
hold SHRA and VCTS at all terminals through the day with some
localized MVFR/IFR possible in stronger passing storms and showers.
Winds will remain out of the SW less than 15 knots with higher gusts
in the vicinity of thunderstorms.

&&

.MARINE...
With high pressure ridging south of Florida and a stationary front
to the north, southwest winds  around 15 knots will continue over
the gulf coast waters through the period. Scattered showers and
isolated thunderstorms will create locally hazardous boating
conditions each day through the middle of next week. No other marine
impacts expected.

&&

.Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs...
TPA  90  78  89  77 /  60  70  90  70
FMY  90  77  89  76 /  50  50  80  50
GIF  91  75  89  75 /  70  50 100  30
SRQ  90  77  89  76 /  50  60  90  70
BKV  90  73  89  72 /  60  70 100  70
SPG  90  78  89  78 /  60  70  90  70

&&

.TBW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
Gulf waters...None.

&&

UPDATE/AVIATION/MARINE...74/Wynn
UPPER AIR/DECISION SUPPORT...57/McMichael

The radar

The Tampa radar (KTBW), 40 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:25 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 rip current, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Rip Current, Pinellas

When
June 8, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Pinellas forecast zone
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
27.903, -82.739 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 71 year old man drowned at Madeira Beach when he was pulled away from the coast by a rip current while trying to rescue his 12 year old grandson from high surf. The man was unconscious when he was pulled back to the coast. Other beach goers attempted CPR, but were unable to revive him. The grandson was not injured.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardee

When
June 8, 3:25 PM EST to 3:27 PM EST
Where
Hardee County, 6.43 mi SE of Wauchula Muni Arpt
Measured
48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
27.497, -81.693

Hardee County emergency management reported wind damage on Doss Road. The tin roof was ripped off a pole barn, causing the structure to collapse. Additionally, a large tree was uprooted, a screened in porch was damaged, and three vehicles sustained damage from flying debris.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Rip Current, Pinellas2019-06-0871MaleIn WaterDirect

What these are

Rip Current
A narrow, fast current flowing away from the beach that caused a drowning or rescue.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Florida in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, June 2019

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 825810, 818736.