Hurricane Harvey Threatens Florida's West Coast...09/21/99

CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Harvey headed for Florida's west coast Monday with 60 mph winds and heavy rain, threatening to swamp low-lying areas and beachfront hotels and restaurants. The storm is expected to bring high winds and flooding to Florida's west coast as it hits land Tuesday. But many residents and visitors were strolling and playing on the beach, unconcerned about forecasts that the winds could approach hurricane strength. At 11 p.m. EDT, Harvey was centered about 110 miles west-southwest of St. Petersburg, moving east-northeast near 10 mph. Maximum sustained winds increased to near 60 mph, with higher gusts. Tropical storm force winds of at least 39 mph extended as much as 205 miles. Forecasters expected Harvey would spin across the Florida peninsula and stay offshore as it heads north along the U.S. East Coast, sparing places like North Carolina.

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