A rapidly deepening low pressure center over the eastern Gulf of Mexico moved across west central Florida, tracking directly over Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk counties. The tight pressure gradient around the low center produced sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts of 45 to 55 mph occurring near the coast around Tampa Bay for around two hours from 4 AM to 6 AM EST. Wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph were felt as far south as Fort Myers and as far north as Brooksville. The strongest wind gusts occurred at the Old Port Tampa station, measuring 71 mph, and at Longboat Pass where a spotter estimated gusts of 75 mph. There was also a report of 93 mph measured from the top deck of the Carnival cruise ship Miracle that was traveling through Tampa Bay between 4 AM and 5 AM. Some minor coastal flooding also occurred as winds became onshore, with a surge of 6.1 feet at Clearwater Beach, and around 4 feet  occurring in the areas around Tampa Bay. The surge caused some minor beach erosion in Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties. Some wind damage was reported in Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties with this event. In Pasco county near Holiday, there was some damage to a mobile home park, with a roof blown off one mobile home. In Pinellas county, there were numerous power lines down across the county leaving 38,000 customers without power, and in Saint Petersburg there was some damage to a mobile home park. Numerous trees and power lines were down in Hillsborough county, leaving 35,000 customers without power. In Manatee county near the coast around Bradenton, a roof was blown off a shed, there was minor roof damage on two mobile homes, and numerous power lines were down leaving 1,200 customers without power. Also, a luxury yacht broke free from its moorings, damaging the yacht as well as the dock and pilings.

Strong Wind in HERNANDO, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:00:00 (EST)
Magnitude: 39 MG
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Strong Wind in SARASOTA, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:00:00 (EST)
Magnitude: 41 MG
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in HILLSBOROUGH, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:00:00 (EST)
Magnitude: 62 MG
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Strong Wind in LEE, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:00:00 (EST)
Magnitude: 37 MG
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Surf in HILLSBOROUGH, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:12:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:36:00 (EST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Strong Wind in PASCO, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:00:00 (EST)
Magnitude: 46 MG
Property damage: 20K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Surf in PASCO, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:12:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:36:00 (EST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in PINELLAS, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:00:00 (EST)
Magnitude: 53 MG
Property damage: 20K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Strong Wind in POLK, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:00:00 (EST)
Magnitude: 39 MG
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Surf in MANATEE, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:12:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:36:00 (EST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Strong Wind in CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:00:00 (EST)
Magnitude: 38 MG
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in MANATEE, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:00:00 (EST)
Magnitude: 65 EG
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

High Surf in PINELLAS, FLORIDA
From 26-DEC-04 04:12:00 to 26-DEC-04 06:36:00 (EST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC