Streets flood as rains continue

LARGO (FOX 13) - As the tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico strengthens, it's sending heavy rain over the Tampa Bay area.  Pinellas County in particular is getting the worst of it.

Street flooding is being reported in several areas.  Roads in Largo are underwater and there are reports of stranded vehicles along Vonn Road, north of Walsingham.  Water is also reportedly rising in the nearby Autumn Chase apartment complex.

Further north, some streets were being closed in Clearwater Beach as water rose there.  High tide in the Clearwater area is at noon, which could enhance the risk of flooding.

VIEWER VIDEO: Flooded roads snarl traffic in Bradenton

In Hillsborough, many of the usual low-lying areas of South Tampa were also seeing water in the streets.

Forecasters say parts of the Bay Area could see up to 10 inches of rain before Tropical Depression Nine makes landfall along the Big Bend area of the state tomorrow night.  Coastal areas will see not only the heaviest rain, but also some flooding as the storm blows water in from the gulf.

Most Bay Area counties are making sandbags available.

WATCH: Waste water spewing from Largo neighborhood manhole

Meanwhile, the governor issued a state of emergency for 42 counties ahead of the storm's landfall, and classes are canceled Thursday for Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hernando, and Manatee counties.