Officials issue tornado watch for Sarasota County

As severe weather rolls into the Gulf Coast this morning, federal officials have issued several warnings for Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The National Weather Service has put both counties under a tornado watch until 10 a.m. And the agency has also issued a high surf advisory beginning at 1 p.m. this afternoon through 7 p.m. Thursday, along with a warning about rip-current risks on local beaches.

“Large breaking waves of 3- to 5-feet will increase to 5- to 7-feet this afternoon,” according to a 4:01 a.m. warning from the NWS. “High surf will create conditions favorable for deadly rip currents along area beaches.”