Extreme caution advised. In Key West, 60-year-old Carol Walterson Stroud sought refuge in a senior center with her husband, granddaughter and dog. But a full scale recovery effort would stall if a major storm wipes out the bridges and other critical roadways, said Hillsborough Countys Metropolitan Planning Organization executive director Beth Alden. "For five days, we were told it was going to be on the east coast, and then 24 hours before it hits, we're now told it's coming up the west coast," said Jeff Beerbohm, a 52-year-old entrepreneur in St. Petersburg. How to avoid the potentially deadly grip of a rip current. He chose to join the pirates and he eventually worked his way to the top, becoming the captain of his own ship. Many residents of Tampa were taking no chances. Also known as the Tarpon Springs hurricane, the Category 3 storm leveled the region with up to 115 mph winds. St. Petersburg, Fla., Mayor Ken Welch said emergency workers and city officials ventured out at daybreak Thursday (Sept. 29) to assess damage from Ian, one of the most powerful hurricanes to. In the aftermath and before any real damage assessments were completed, newspapers and media outlets assumed the worst Pass-a-grille wiped off the map. If you talk with locals about it, there are many theories, the most urban-legendish being that a Tocobaga blessing protects the area from those damaging storms. . "And it's not a matter of having to move 100 miles. The region rebuilt, driven by leaders who sought to cover up the damage caused by the hurricane and rushed to draw attention back to the paradise they marketed as Florida, according to a 2008 article that Nicole Cox wrote for the journal Tampa Bay History. The National Hurricane Center's latest tweak to Irma's forecasted track has the storm hugging the Florida's west coast off Fort Myers, but possibly not making landfall there before moving back to the Gulf of Mexico. All five sites will be open Friday with extended hours 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday. Caution advised. "The Mississippi River is almost 30 feet above the city level just to put in perspective of how low New Orleans is in terms of elevation," Samuhel said. The city of St. Petersburg has been fortunate to have avoided a direct hit by a hurricane for over a century. I honestly dont know whats scarier - the fact #Tampa hasnt been hit directly by a hurricane since 1921 or that #hurricanirma is the, one Twitter user wrote without completing her thought. Wear thick winter clothing that covers nearly all exposed skin. The Tarpon Springs Hurricane "was the worst storm to hit the Pinellas peninsula since the fabled gale of 1848," historian Ray Arsenault wrote in St. Petersburg and the Florida Dream. Wear winter clothing that covers as much of the body as possible. The list of United States hurricanes includes all tropical cyclones officially recorded to have produced sustained winds of greater than 74 mph (119 km/h) in the United States, which is the minimum threshold for hurricane intensity. That is strong enough to destroy framed homes, tear roofs apart and decimate trees and power poles. Ian strengthens into Category 4 storm, on a collision course to - MSN Forecasters warned of storm surge as high as 15 feet. A Boston firm that analyzes potential catastrophic damage reported that the region would lose $175 billion in a storm the size of Hurricane Katrina. If you're wondering where #Irma's getting all its water -- here's a look at the bay in #Tampa. And the National Hurricane Center warned that Tampa Bay, home to about 3 million Floridians, could see storm surges of between 2 and 4 feet. Motorists heading inland from the Tampa area were allowed to drive on the shoulder. It's 11-foot storm surge flooded downtown Tampa and turned St. Petersburg into an. Caution advised. People in St. Pete are often quick to say that the area has been protected by an old Tocobaga blessing of their mounds which is why we havent been hit. There isnt much written about the later path up the Florida West Coast but this was another very close call for Tampa Bay as the weakening hurricane stayed just offshore. 1600-1799. Many parts of downtown Tampa are new and built close to the bay, which is gradually being pulled into the Gulf of Mexico. I wont mention the hurricanes of 2004 (Charley, Frances and Jeanne) since we are familiar with their tracks and impacts. At first, the water levels in Tampa Bay dropped due to the strong offshore winds on the north side of Irmas circulation. As of Thursday morning, St. Top 5 US cities most vulnerable to hurricanes. After that, the storm is now expected to skirt the coast again a bit north of Horseshoe Beach, then finally go inland around Fish Creek, northwest of Ocala, with a hurricane-force wind field well over 100 miles wide. 2020 could be one of the most active hurricane seasons ever, forecasters say. At one point, Irmas winds were 185 mph. Current Storm Updates | St. Pete Beach, FL 1935-Labor Day Hurricane This hurricane is famous for its intensity and damage in the mid/upper Florida Keys. The beaches as we know them would be gone. The lighthouse keeper and his family rode out the storm in a small boat tethered to a Palmetto, fearing the tower would collapse. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. (OMG if you dont know what I am talking about go watch now!). Many Florida attractions, such as Busch Gardens in Tampa, were closed and flamingos and other animals were shepherded to shelters. The Hurricane of 1921 In October of 1921 another notable storm hit the Peninsula. Wear thick winter clothing that covers as much of the body as possible. Of the six counties more than 1.35 million buildings, the simulation shows more than 103,679 buildings would be severely damaged or destroyed. This storm left many interesting outcomes and tales, some quite unexpected. The thing is, St. Pete was supposedly decimated as we saw above, but a few days later it was found that the town was actually ok. You would think that even the report of the hurricane would have caused people to shy away from the area, but just the opposite happened. This hurricane killed 300 people as it crossed Cuba, coming from the warm waters of the Caribbean like most October hurricanes. ", First published on September 10, 2017 / 12:38 AM. The boosters of St. Pete were out in full force, changed public opinion, and drove a mad land rush that lasted another six years. After landfall, the weakening storm became a tropical storm and moved into Pinellas county, then Pasco. Lets take a look at some history to find out what happened and what impacts are still felt today. More than 75,000 people had lost power, mostly in and around Miami and Fort Lauderdale, as the wind began gusting. There are also more than 400,000 more people living here compared to 2009. Floridas southwest was pummeled again in 2004 when Hurricane Charley wreaked havoc in Charlotte County and in 2005 when Hurricane Wilma slammed into Collier County, whose county seat is East Naples. Stay in a heated area or, if outdoor activity is necessary, it should be limited to a few minutes and only if all skin surfaces are covered. If he has to, hell rebuild again. Significant caution advised. Below, take a look at the comparison of the track of the two storms, almost exactly 100 years apart. The 2009 Hurricane Phoenix simulation estimated the storm would cause nearly 2,200 deaths; the 2.0 simulation didnt estimate a death toll or the storms effect on poverty. Not much has changed since the original Phoenix study. If we get hit directly, don't expect power to be back in a couple days like most cities. PETERSBURG, FL There were already signs of life in St. Petersburg the morning after the city dodged the brunt of Hurricane Ian's wrath from residents clearing debris from their yards. People board up a restaurant in preparation for Hurricane Ian on Monday in St. Petersburg, Fla. As Hurricane Ian barrels toward Florida, officials there are activating emergency plans and urging residents to evacuate from vulnerable areas. When they told me that," he said, "that's all I needed to hear. Castor urges people to heed the warnings and leave immediately if they live in an evacuation zone. The Tampa Bay area, then home to about 10,000 people, had not seen such a destructive storm since 1848, when the so-called Great Gale was reported to have destroyed many of the structures that were then standing. "Typically, when tropical systems get caught in the jet stream off the East Coast of the U.S., they tend to curve out to sea, but because of the location of Hatteras, hurricanes tend to clip that region before affecting anywhere else on the East Coast.". A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? This includes the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane which was remembered as one of the most intense U.S. hurricanes based on pressure and maximum wind speeds," Samuhel said. Ron DeSantis has taken steps including mobilizing 5,000 Florida national guard troops. Outdoor activity can be dangerous and should be limited. Essential items for your evacuation go bag. Early radar image from the Miami radar showed a well-organized and powerful Donna as it moved into the Keys. The storm surge rose to 6.5 feet in Tampa Bay, the highest other than the 1921 hurricane. Still, governments and nonprofits can only do so much. Mastrys Bar & Grill at 233 Central Ave. had several patrons sitting at the bar and in outdoor seating just after 10 a.m. and Schakolad Chocolate Factory at 401 Central Ave. was bustling, as people stopped in for coffee and snacks. Linemen work on electric lines in Fruitland Park, Florida, on Thursday, November 10. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It filed plans with the city to build a dome structure on that land called The Dali Dome project, which will feature semi-permanent, traveling exhibits like Van Gogh Alive.. The Tarpon Springs Hurricane shows that St. Petersburg isn't invulnerable to storm damage, and it has been hit with major hurricanes in the past. We have to be resilient, he said, we have to have short memories.. The Rolyat Americas Most Distinctive Hotel. Most outdoor activity is dangerous, especially for older adults, infants, and those with sensitive medical conditions. Following Hurricane Ian, we are all working hard to clean up and get back to normal. There were 21 confirmed tornadoes in Florida. Hurricane Ian's deadly winds and floods caused miles of irreparable damage to the area, displaced many Floridians from their homes, and in worst cases, led to tragic deaths. What he found was a newly created pass, perhaps exactly where he had previously buried his treasure. The last time Tampa Bay was hit by a major storm was Oct. 25, 1921. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. A full body orgasm at the L.A. Phil? This was the first year hurricanes were named. Very high danger of dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps. St. Petersburg destroyed. Extreme caution advised. Download our app, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, It's been 100 years since the last direct hit of a major hurricane in Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay has had many close calls since 1921, Hurricane Easy in 1950 produced 38.70 inches of rain in Yankeetown within 24 hours, Hurricane Gladys produced 100 mph winds in Clearwater. What has kept us safe? Hypothermia likely without protective clothing. Immense loss of life and property. One of the better photos Ive found is of the Favorite Line steamer that was moored in Tampa at the time. and (when) the great blow ended there stood in the midst of it all, Gibraltar like, the indomitable will, spirit and energy that had made St. Petersburg the queen of the West Coast of Florida, whose right to reign supreme remains undisputed.. Only a couple hundred-thousand people lived in the area. There will inevitably be loss of life, she said. A World Bank study called Tampa Bay one of the . Learn More. We here in St. Pete were very lucky the storm didnt repeat the exact same path, suffering the fate of the tragedy unfolding in Ft. Meyers. Hypothermia likely without protective clothing. It keeps us writing! This interview was produced by Vince Pearson and edited by Jan Johnson. Those strengthened relationships would become critical if a Phoenix-like storm were to strike. By Wednesday, stores had begun to empty of water, bread and other staples. The Tampa Bay area is considered to be one of the most vulnerable population centers to a hurricane strike. Unlike most pirates, Levique did not like to kill those he captured or hold them for ransom. All told, an estimated 2.5 million Floridians are under evacuation orders as of Tuesday morning, according to DeSantis. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. People read with interest in the newspapers up North that the city had survived a major hurricane with little to no damage. People tie up sand bags on the Davis Islands beach in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, ahead of the possible arrival of Hurricane Ian. Hurricane Nicole live tracker: Charting the path of where the storm Easy did several loops and stalled, producing extreme rainfall of 38.70 inches in Yankeetown in 24 hours! Extraordinary caution advised. Ranking of Cities Hit Most By Hurricanes & Tropical Storms - HurricaneCity A similar scene is playing out in Tampa, where mayor Jane Castor told NPR's All Things Considered on Monday night that officials' top concern is evacuating people from the most vulnerable coastal areas. Again, the population was much smaller than today, so a storm like this would have much bigger impacts than in 1946. Fort Myers is in the hurricane zone, and Tampa and St. Petersburg could still get a direct hit by a major hurricane for the first time in a century. "Key West has faced several situations in the past where it has been brushed or directly affected by some of the strongest hurricanes to hit the United States. Hurricane Nicole Was A Damaging, Unusual November Strike In Florida Busch Gardens theme park in #Tampa begun evacuating its animals ahead of #HurricaneIrma https://t.co/1DDQXgIHsj pic.twitter.com/VpA3Qds8qV. These dates historically describe the period each year . President Biden has approved an emergency declaration in 24 Florida counties, while Florida Gov. A day or two later, the keeper rowed his family back to the mainland and resigned his position. And what were the past storms like? Caution advised. Hurricane Ian, Florida Calvary Chapel Magazine In addition to this, a majority of the population resides within 20 miles of the coastline increasing the risk of high property damage. Hurricane Ian becomes major Category 3 storm as it hits Cuba, with Phoenix 2.0 echoes the last major hurricane to make landfall in Tampa Bay: The 1921 Tampa Bay hurricane, which came ashore Oct. 25 in Tarpon Springs, just 20 miles north of Phoenixs simulated landfall in Indian Rocks Beach. Most consider this temperature range ideal. Because It's Not As Simple As 'Get Out'. Frostbite to exposed skin within 1 minute. This hurricane does not officially count as a Tampa Bay hurricane hit. Emergency officials have made alterations to their shelter plans to accommodate pandemic risks. More than half the outages are in the Miami-Dade area. Tampa hasn't had a big hurricane in 96 years. That's about to change . Nevertheless, with more than 50 percent of the city living below sea level and the rapid sinking of marshy coastal land in southeastern Louisiana, New Orleans still remains highly vulnerable to storm surge during a major hurricane. Its also the worst-case scenario. An estimated . Only Hurricane Kate on Nov. 21, 1985 hit the U.S. later in November. The new course threatens everything from Tampa Bay's bustling twin cities to Naples' mansion- and yacht-lined canals, Sun City Center's retirement homes, and Sanibel Island's shell-filled beaches. Not exactly sure what happened here, but it may raise an eyebrow or two even 100 years later. So all of the Tampa Bay areas were impacted by a Category 1 hurricane. "Because it is located by the shallow Tampa Bay, water piles up into the city, causing very significant storm surge along the coastline.". Major damage reported in Virginia Beach following monstrous tornado. At least eight people were confirmed killed during the storm, most of them from drowning as a storm surge inundated areas along the shore, the weather service said. Hurricane Andrew's landfall in Florida overshadowed Lester's impacts to the United States. One might think the worst-case scenario would have the storms eye going right over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and marching into Tampa Bay. This storm peaked at Category 4, with winds exceeding 140mph. St. Petersburg now in Hurricane Irma's crosshairs with westward shift Mothers Day 2023 Brunch: Reserve Now In St. Petersburg, Grand Central Hotel Shooting Under Investigation: St. Pete Police, Vehicle Drives Through Doughnut Shop: St. Pete Police, Salute To Scholars Scholarship Applications Open, The Great Cover Up: Selah Freedom Partners with Tattooist to Cover Branding from Survivors of Sex, LEADS Mardi Gras Masquerade Brunch Fundraiser. Scott: "The storm surge can kill you", More arrests likely in probe of Florida nursing home deaths, 3 people turn themselves in to face charges in nursing home deaths, Nursing home workers face arrest over Hurricane Irma deaths, "Lives being put at risk": On-duty officers drank beer during deadly hurricane, Report: Emergency contracts after hurricane cost Florida millions. With the new forecast, Pinellas County, home to St. Petersburg, ordered 260,000 people to leave, while Georgia scaled back evacuation orders for some resident's of the state's Atlantic shore. In the Keys, there was near-total devastation between Marathon and Tavernier. Minimize outdoor activity, especially for older adults, infants, and those with sensitive medical conditions. People tie up sand bags on the Davis Islands beach in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, ahead of the possible arrival of Hurricane Ian. Light jacket or sweater may be appropriate. Hurricane Ian has sustained wind speeds up to 250km . On its website, the city of Tampa describes itself as an amazing place to live, work, and visit, but there is an acknowledgment that because of its coastal location, topography and large population, the city is significantly vulnerable to a wide array of hazards, including hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and sinkholes.. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. There were no large settlements. Mexico. Orders for mandatory evacuations in the Tampa Bay area began to arrive Thursday for low-lying beach communities and for people living in mobile homes and were extended to other areas as the storms trajectory changed. The police showed up and said, You know theres an evacuation order in place. Danger of dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps if outside for extended periods, and especially while doing strenuous activities. State officials say thats how long it could take for help to arrive. hide caption. Rick Scott had said that flooding was expected along the entire west coast of Florida and this has increased to 15 feet of impact above ground level in southwest Florida.. The city has since made drastic improvements to its levee system since Katrina left most of the city under several feet of water. If what was left of Mexico Beach after a direct hit by Hurricane Michael in 2018 the last Category 5 storm to make landfall in Florida serves as a comparison, Phoenix would destroy almost everything in its path. As a result, Cape Hatteras has been exposed in the past to hurricanes that move up the Eastern Seaboard. Ian weakened slightly after passing over Cuba but remains a "major" Category 3 storm, the National Hurricane Center said in a Tuesday morning advisory. The hurricane of 1848 pressed into Tampa Bay bringing a 15-foot surge into the area that is now downtown Tampa. But Sullivan said the suffering will be worse among underprivileged communities, where people likely live at or below the poverty line and in older structures. Sharks hunt prey there, but the ocean's 'twilight zone' may soon be go We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. The Most Hurricane Prone Places in Florida Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Tampa was largely deserted on Saturday, CBS News' John Blackstone reported. Glenn Youngkin rules out presidential campaign while in California, 7 bodies found during search for missing Oklahoma teens, US to lift most federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates next week, Multiple fatalities on Illinois highway during a blinding windstorm. The swollen Tampa Bay would meet the Gulf of Mexico in Seminole, swallowing much of mid Pinellas County: The Gateway area, Feather Sound, Pinellas Park, Lealman, Kenneth City and east Largo would all be under water, plus everything south of 22nd Avenue S in St. Petersburg. This storm left many interesting outcomes and tales, some quite unexpected. Hurricane Ian strengthens to Category 2 storm and could be - CNN St. Petersburg was instructed last year by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to replace the city's drainage system after heavy flooding from Hurricane Hermine, a smaller . Winds . Key West, like Miami, has a 16 percent chance of being impacted by a hurricane during any Atlantic hurricane season.