TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Forecasters say Tropical Storm Debby will continue to pose a flooding threat to north Florida and the state's Panhandle region over coming days.
Debby is virtually parked off Florida's Gulf Coast after raking the Tampa Bay area with high winds and heavy rain Monday. The drenching could top 2 feet over the ensuing days in some areas.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Debby's top sustained winds were 45 mph (75 kph) at 8 p.m. EDT Monday and the storm was virtually stationary, centered about 30 miles (45 kms) south-southwest of Apalachicola.
A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Florida Gulf Coast from Destin to Englewood.
Forecasters cautioned that Debby is a large tropical cyclone spreading strong winds and heavy rains at great distances from its center.