Turn them in to HCSO Valentines, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, Lake Wales man accused of stealing $400K in property, Burger King brings back fan-favorite item, Missing Child Alert issued for Florida girl, 3, Dead body, infant found inside Tampa apartment, Man arrested after dumping 30 mattresses, box springs:, 4 people found dead inside Florida home, police say, FL man wins lottery, state claims he owes them money, Florida moves to expand Dont Say Gay law, Florida man wins $1 million from $30 scratch-off, Florida man buys $50 lottery game, wins $1M. Tampa Bay is shallow and many low-lying neighborhoods get flooded during a strong rainstorm. As the Gulf Coast just south of Tampa Bay recovers from the devastation left from Hurricane Ian, many Tampa Bay residents are breathing an uneasy sigh of relief. July 2, 2020, 10:58 AM. Fox 13 reports that Tampa Bay residents are preparing for Hurricane Ian, a category 3 storm that could be catastrophic. "There is. We keep building in the most storm-prone areas. We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. "This is a very rare track for a hurricane. At least eight people died and damage was estimated at $5 million at the time. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest. Tampa Bay has had some close calls with hurricanes. By Winds were estimated at 120 mph near the landfall point in Tarpon Springs. It is one of the few coastal places skipped over by Spanish explorers, the only people who wrote descriptions of early Florida. We don't know.". "I did everything I could to protect their artifacts," Farias said before Irma came through, letting the Tampa Bay area off the hook by weakening to a storm with less-than-catastrophic winds. Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or "I've heard that one," she said. With determination, innovation, and ingenuity, Port Tampa Bay is rising to the challenge of a changing climate," Lisa Wolf-Chason, the Director of Communications for Port Tampa Bay, said. (DroneBase via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Most storms move south to north and south of Tampa is Marco Island," which is where Irma made landfall. The unnamed hurricane of 1921 that some now call the Tarpon Springs Hurricane was a category three hurricane packing winds over 100 miles per hour and a storm surge of 11 feet. Amid all the science, a local legend has it that blessings from Native Americans who once called the region home have largely protected it from major storms for centuries. There are urban legends that the Sunshine Skyway protects Tampa Bay. TAMPA, Fla The National Weather Service (NSW) provided preliminary surge and reverse surge measurements Thursday morning in the wake of then-Hurricane Ian. It could have been because of storms or mosquito levels. There were several reports that Key West was destroyed. This piece of folklore came from my co-worker, who grew up in Tampa, Florida. (VIAVAL/Getty Images). The grotto at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Key West is probably Florida's most famous source of hurricane lore. "I don't think we're in a blessed or protected place," Fox said while shopping at Home Depot. Im convinced that geographically were incapable of being hit with a storm. Tampa Bay has dodged a direct hurricane hit for a century It's one of the most populated areas on Florida's Gulf Coast, but hasn't had a direct hit from a landfalling hurricane in 100 years.. Although a major hurricane is long overdue in Miami, the city has dealt with its share of intense hurricanes in the past. Tampas Black majority City Council district has 2 candidates. Or, the American Indians who once lived here blessed this place and made it safe from hurricanes. Even if the hurricane makes . Some people believe American Indians here blessed the land to protect from hurricanes. ", Joel, however, is less skeptical. "I think it's kind of cool. But, luckily, the area has avoided. "The Tampa International Airport is 25 miles [from where Irma's center was] but the eastern part of the city extends well over 20 miles to the east," Kottlowski explained. And affordable property insurance could be added to the endangered species list. The area hit the hardest is where the Sparkman Channel and Ybor Channel meet, next to Port Tampa Bay. Lauren Fox, AccuWeather staff writer. That's not going to drain out quickly," said Cathie Perkins . Paluska asked. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. However, that doesnt stop locals from looking for answers. Tampa Bay didn't come out of the storm largely unscathed because of Native American rituals and a Caribbean land configuration that amounts to a blockade against hurricanes, scientists said.. By TAMPA, Fla. Tuesday, October 25, 1921, was the last time Tampa Bay got hit by a major hurricane. We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. As hurricanes move inland, they can no longer feed off of the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean, and so they lose strength. "We have plans in place to be able to get out and do that damage assessment right away to do that debris clearance," Perkins said. Did the Native Americans Hurricane-Proof Manatee County? It was so strong that it caused damage to coastal structures which were miles away from Pasco County south through southwest Florida and even destroyed ships smashing them against docks after pulling them off their moorings. The popular refrain in you hear in Tampa Bay is that the area has not been directly hit by a major hurricane in over 100 years. The adjacent Gulf of Mexico is also shallow. attacks, and spam will not be tolerated. Along the coast, storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. One of the problems is that gasoline and diesel fuel are lighter than water, so if the tanks are not completely full, it could float off its foundation. "How devastating would an impact from a hurricane similar to the 1921 storm be in today's time?" In that time, they traveled to historical societies, museums, and areas hit the hardest by the storm. That nearly league-minimum salary is exactly why the Lightning had to pay so much, and continues their trend of acquiring players with team control. He says it's less of a blessing or a curse than it is about the science behind hurricanes. "As time goes on, it comes true.". "Thank goodness for the Tocobagans is all I have to say.". ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Its been more than a century since a major storm like Hurricane Ian has struck the Tampa Bay area, which blossomed from a few hundred thousand people in 1921 to more than 3 million today. The likelihood of storms making a direct hit on the Gulf Coast increases in September and even more in October, during the second half of the hurricane season, when cooler air moves south, and jet-stream winds, which blow around the Earth from east to west, take storm systems with them. The evacuations could affect 300,000 people or more in Hillsborough County alone. Tampa is an amazing place to live, work, and visit, but like many places it is not immune to major disasters. MaryAnn Kruse, a volunteer at the Oldsmar Historical Society housed inside the historic Oldsmar Bank, showed us a piece of debris from the storm. Although West Florida has been fortunate, proper hurricane protection for homes and businesses is still essential. So, for everyone watching this report or reading this article, whether you believe in jinxes, superstitions, curses or the supernatural, do us a favor and knock on some wood for good luck. Central Florida. Here are some major hurricanes the past 60 years that have just avoided us: In 2004 alone, there were FOUR hurricanes set to hit the area. There are red flags everywhere: Many of our most densely populated communities are adjacent to the ocean . The population significantly decreased with the arrival of Europeans (Spanish explorer Pnfilo de Narvez, to be exact) and eventually the tribe was extinct by the 1700s. Hurricane Ian could threaten all of that development. The highest storm surge was in the downtown Tampa and Tarpon Springs areas. 13 Miami, NCAA gives Miami 1-year probation for recruiting violation, Florida lawmaker suggests limiting electric vehicles during hurricane evacuations, Bucs players give team low marks for travel, treatment of families, Red-hot USF women close out home schedule with explosive offensive showing. "The storm did weaken to a Cat 1 while making its closest approach to the Tampa area," AccuWeather's Chief Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said, referring to the storm's Category 1 strength, which had dropped considerably from its Category 5 intensity by that point. Red tide is back (again) in Pinellas County. "There's nothing wrong with having faith, but if people believe that, one day their luck will run out and there will be serious loss of life," said Stephen Leatherman, director of Florida International University's International Hurricane Center. Legends and luck are nice stories when it comes to hurricanes, but at some point Tampa Bay will be hit. One of the nation's largest fully excavated native burial grounds, at Historic Spanish Point in Osprey, offers few additional clues, only that people lived in the area as early as 3,000 B.C. Similar to Irma, 2004's Hurricane Charley left many in the area relieved when it navigated away from Tampa Bay as it roared toward land. McNoldy, the University of Miami researcher, noted that Hurricane Andrews storm surge today would be 7 inches (17 centimeters) higher than it was when that storm pounded South Florida 30 years ago. According to NOAA, a hurricane makes landfall within 50 miles of New Orleans about once every seven to 11 years. "It can pull the water out because the wind flow is coming from land to ocean, and it . A storm surge of up to 11 feet damaged and destroyed many structures along coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest Florida. Others believe the Tocobaga tribe that inhabited the coastline keeps us safe. Thats a lot of risk, to state the obvious. The storms are coming. For centuries, the Tocobaga tribe inhabited the coastline of Tampa Bay, surviving on a diet consisting mostly of fish and shellfish. A Pinellas resident for 45 years, she was waiting for Irma to make a turn like Hurricane Charley did in 2004. Will we allow for more density in coastal high-hazard areas? This map of Cat 3 storms shows only one direct hit on Englewood in 1944 since 1851, Article debunks Indian Legend regarding storm-safety theory, Tampa Bays escape from Irma was more than luck, Sarasota has been safe from hurricanes for years. Yet for years storms seemed to bypass the region somewhat inexplicably. The popular refrain in you hear in Tampa Bay is that the area has not been directly hit by a major hurricane in over 100 years. But the Director of the National Hurricane Center, Ken Graham, said that our luck is bound to run out at some point and we need to be prepared for that eventuality. war and disease brought by a Spanish explorer, Supernatural forces at play? The mounds were used as temples, homes and burial grounds. We havent done enough to fortify coastal areas against sea-level rise. Its unclear why the mounds were built, although many believe they were for burials. Maybe for garbage, maybe to bury their own, or maybe to protect themselves from an intruder another tribe, Spanish conquerors or a natural disaster like Hurricane Irma. The Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection at the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative contained the most pictures of the storm. Because the system was so tight, it was able to remain intense far inland, even into southern and eastern portions of the Bay Area. Did local Indian mounds save Tampa Bay from Irma's worst, Records show the region has a stormy past, Sarasota,Florida's history with tropical systems, Interactive chart showing 74 Storms - 1930 - 2010 ( Error on map but good info ), Manasota Key Ignored By Media During Hurricane Irma, Worst Hurricanes to hit Florida in the Past Century, Links to local YouTube videos taken during Hurricane Irma, Irma Youtube Videos taken on Manasota Key, YouTube - Gulf to Bay After Irma - September 15, 2017, YouTube - The Beach at Gulf to Bay After Irma. The last time Tampa Bay was hit by a major storm was Oct. 25, 1921. Charley was an extremely intense and compact category 4 hurricane. As time goes on, it comes true.. Tuesday, October 25, 1921, was the last time Tampa Bay got hit by a major hurricane. By the time it reached Hardee, Desoto and Polk County the storm was a category 1 hurricane. Understanding that reality is a key to being adequately prepared this upcoming hurricane season. 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It also once saved the life of an early settler after bringing his family to the bay to escape a storm surge. "Or would they let a hurricane hit to get even with the Spanish and the white settlers that moved down from the north and took their land? she said. Then, early Monday morning, Irma's sudden downgrade to a Category 2 reaffirmed her belief. However, the Great Gale of 1848 was far worse. "The surge would likely be higher. Built in 1922, residents are known to line up there to pray. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The article describing in terrifying detail how a husband lost his wife on Rocky Point: On the other side of the bay in Oldsmar, similar stories of survival. Sept. 27, 2022. This article represents the opinion of the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board. All of these hurricanes would have had devastating impacts on Tampa Bay but veered off course and missed. Is there a plan in place for those?" "I love that story.". Did American Indians who roamed the land centuries ago protect Pinellas with a blessing? If it has anything to do with Indians and hurricanes, it's not true. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Phil Klotzbach, research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, noted that only one of five hurricanes at Category 3 strength or higher has struck Tampa Bay since 1851. Tampa, situated on a peninsula lying along Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, is exposed to hurricanes entering the Gulf and systems forming in the Atlantic. "I feel like being here," Anderson said. The hurricane had no official name but is known locally as the Tarpon Springs storm, for the seaside town famed for its sponge-diving docks and Greek heritage where it came ashore. "If you look at our original floors that I'm standing on right now, you can see where there are rusted nails and that kind of thing from floods over the years," Chasey said. "On the Port Resiliency Index, developed by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the Port scored 95%.". It's certainly possible some of the pipelines could be damaged.". "That just added huge credibility to this myth," Farias said. A myth has grown over the last century that Native American mounds are protecting the Tampa Bay area from major hurricanes. The tribe lived in small villages between what is now Safety Harbor and the Gandy area, from 900 to the 1500s, but died out from disease and violence from Spanish settlers in the 17th century, according to Pinellas Countys website. Bonni Fox, from a neighbor. Everything underwater, massive flooding," Dr. Luther said. It just never seems to happen, St. Petersburg resident Leonard McCue told the Washington Post in 2017 following Hurricane Irma. "The land around New Orleans is sinking, which puts the city in more danger if another major hurricane strike.". It made landfall in Big Pine Key as a. The National Hurricane Center is predicting storm surge in Tampa Bay and surrounding waters of between 5 and 10 feet (1.5 and 3 meters) above normal tide conditions and rainfall of between 10 and 15 inches (12 and 25 centimeters) because of Hurricane Ian. But the population was not unusually high. Downed power lines in Ybor City, the trolley line washed away along Bayshore Boulevard, flooded homes in Hyde Park, and docks and boats washed ashore along where the current Tampa Riverwalk now runs. Even still, a slight irritation in the throat is something he and . TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Tampa Bay was bracing for a direct hit from Hurricane Ian, as experts predicted, before the storm shifted and barreled through Lee County, leaving a path of destruction. The company Elev8 Fun will open its next location at Citrus Park Mall. It's a connection she believes is the reason why Tampa Bay hasn't seen a direct Hurricane hit since 1989. This part of the state is hit by hurricane season as . In 2004, Hurricane Charley made a turn towards Punta Gorda, sparing Tampa. The Anderson family has owned the property since the 1940s and lived in a private residence, 13-feet above sea level behind the mound, since 1953. "Because Key West is so far from the mainland, evacuating people can be a difficult challenge during a hurricane event.". There are a number of serious hazards that come along with hurricanes striking a coastal area. "The signature storm for the West Coast of Florida, especially the Tampa Bay area, is the October 25, 1921 storm. When asked about a myth spreading around town, county archaeologist Dan Hughes jumped in: "Let me guess. ", Headlines in the days after the storm painted a horrific picture of the damage. As the Gulf Coast just south of Tampa Bay recovers from the devastation left from Hurricane Ian, many Tampa Bay residents are breathing an uneasy sigh of relief. The 20 U.S. cities most in danger of getting smacked by a major hurricane in the next decades are all in Florida. The city has since made drastic improvements to its levee system since Katrina left most of the city under several feet of water. Some locals claim the tribe blessed the mounds for protection from hurricanes and other hazards, but we have yet to confirm the validity of their story. And two, we wonder why we're lucky.". "But it was still a hurricane and caused lots of damage.". And as we know by Floridas ever-growing population, people arent moving away from the risk. Paluska asked Dr. Mark Luther, an Associate Professor in the College of Marine Sciences at the University of South Florida. Hurricane Ian was growing stronger as it barreled toward Cuba on a track to hit Florida's west coast as a major hurricane as early as Wednesday. It is these experiences which concern hurricane experts and emergency managers because it can lead to a false sense of security, feeling they have already seen the worst of Mother Nature, but in reality it can be much worse. A picture hangs in the museum showing boats outside the brick schoolhouse. A storm like the 1921 hurricane would turn Pinellas County from a peninsula into two separate islands. It's 11-foot storm surge flooded downtown Tampa and turned St. Petersburg into an. About 40% of it goes into the facilities at Port Tampa Bay.". Pulling back from the most vulnerable areas must be part of the overall strategy, but its unrealistic to think coastal communities will just close up shop. Evidence to support the tale does not exist, however, according to everyone who studies either county history or American Indian beliefs. Miami takes the number one spot on this list with a 16 percent chance of experiencing the impacts of a hurricane in any given year. The article went on to say, "the tropical storm which was reported Monday to be moving towards St. Petersburg, failed to reach here with any force Monday night, according to the local weather bureau.". With satellites, cell phones, and advanced technology, we can track storms days, even weeks in advance. Its a nice myth, giving many Tampa Bay residents believe that we have ancient and otherworldly guardians against hurricane invasions. Hurricane Irma is the most recent in 2017. We were all prepared for the worst and in the last second it turned.". The Tocobaga people are the land ancestors of Tampa Bay. Hurricane-force winds can destroy mobile homes and buildings. But it was damaged to varying degrees by hurricanes in 1926, 1944 and 1950, as well as Donna in 1960 and Charley in 2004. Kottlowski cautions that the Tampa Bay area is "long overdue for a landfall," but he attributes the region's location and the history of tracks that storms take as the reason the area has escaped the worst throughout the years. Lets take a deeper look at just how often Tampa Bay avoids a direct hit from hurricanes. Getting into the specifics would require more space than this editorial allows, but Hurricane Ian last year provided some solid examples of how stronger building codes and better planning can help protect homes and other buildings from wind and floods. Even so, some of those facts are slow to sink in. Using a Category 5 simulation storm called Hurricane Phoenix, the council projected that downtown Tampa would encounter more than 21 feet of water and could face 2,000 fatalities and up to $250. Hundreds of years before them, so did the Tocobagan tribe, which built mounds along the Pinellas peninsula. Another reminder of Floridas massive hurricane risk | Editorial. Clearly, when you look at the Tampa Bay area, one of the reasons why we fear storms is because of the sensitivity of this area and the fragility of this area, DeSantis said. The storm surge pushed a wall of water inland, with waves from the bay almost breaking in the streets of Ybor City. What are those large pyramids next to the Skyway? Top 5 US cities most vulnerable to hurricanes. It was a formidable storm, but nowhere near as strong as it could have been. "You see?" As the Tampa Bay Times explains, it's likely that Ian will bring up to a foot of rain in the area and some experts, including meteorologist Jeff Masters, have compared it to 2005's Hurricane Katrina. The area has seen a fair share of damaging winds and storm surge flooding from plenty of tropical storms. Many of the other cities in the region have experienced similar explosive growth. Paluska and ABC Action News photographer Reed Moeller worked on this report for several weeks. Doris Anderson isn't necessarily one of them. 2023 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved. FSU rallies from 25 points down, stuns No. Kottlowski explained that Irma "was a Cat 1 when it passed just east ofdowntown Tampa with a tropical-storm-force wind field of over 300 miles. And it could be bad. Calusa Protective Spell-Tampa. Over the past century, there have been several close calls. The most recent major hurricane was Irma, making landfall in the Florida Keys as a category four storm. Hurricane Irma hit Tampa Bay at a Category 1 storm when once forecasted as a Category 5. "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.". Storm survivor Ethel Swanson was 7-years-old when the storm hit. So while we love the memes of a carefree Tampa: Make sure to prepare for every hurricane. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In 2004 Hurricane Charley made landfall near Punta Gorda, south of the Bay Area. Many people think the mounds could be providing supernatural protection from hurricanes. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Hurricanes are a fact of life in Florida. Just as an example, the city of Tampa had about 51,000 residents in 1920. Newspaper reports at the time warned of a hurricane churning in the Gulf of Mexico, but no one knew where or when it would hit. Some estimates are as much as 15 feet of storm surge. "Spaghetti plots" are collections of potential forecast tracks for tropical stormsbased on slightly different possible weather conditions. manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Gov. Jeannot will be a restricted free agent this summer and . A new study suggests that climate change is making back-to-back hurricanes more common, which could make it tougher for coastal communities to recover. Did American Indians who roamed the land centuries ago protect Pinellas with a blessing? "The Port of Tampa would have lots of water in it. "That'll be good," LaMarre said. A World Bank study a few years before that placed Tampa as the seventh-most vulnerable city to major storms on the entire globe. However . We asked. Finally making it by boat to the Cortez Public School, now the Florida Maritime Museum. It derailed the railroad in that area which was obviously a significant impact to travel commerce and people coming into the area. Half of all the refined petroleum gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel for the state of Florida comes under the Sunshine Skyway bridge. ", Kottlowski said a direct hitoccurs when a hurricane "passes to within a distance equal to the cyclone's radius of maximum wind," which for Hurricane Irma at that stage was 23 miles. If there is an extra high tide, 18-20 feet higher than normal tidal level. Lisa Parker draws a blank when asked where she heard it, but she knows she did. Part of being ready is encouraging our elected officials to address the tough question about where to keep building and how to build. 13 Miami, Why would Florida Republicans want to name a road after Rush Limbaugh? In the Village of Cortez, the storm wiped out nearly every home of the small fishing village. The NWS describes the hurricane as "the forgotten nightmare." Technically, Irma did make a direct hit on part of Tampa in 2017, though it was a bit of a glancing blow from a weakened hurricane. One gives credit to nature's fortunate placement of dunes off the coast. The First Street report also showed how climate change will push hurricane force winds farther inland, not just in Florida but in places like Arkansas and Tennessee. Tony DeAngelo , for instance, put up 51 points in 64 games with the club last season before they cut him loose. "Tampa City of Ruins," "Bayshore Swept Clean," "Estimate Losses More than a Million Dollars," "Refugees Flee from Flood at Oldsmar," "Two Dead at St. Petersburg: Twelve are Trapped on Island," "One Drowns and another Electrocuted. The 1921 storm sent a storm surge all the way into downtown Tampa into Ybor. "Clearly, when you look at the Tampa Bay area, one of the reasons why we fear storms is because of the sensitivity of this area and the fragility of this area," DeSantis said. "I told you about that blessing.". The City of Oldsmar posting the video on YouTube. Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System. Of 1848 was far worse to make a turn towards Punta Gorda, south of Tampa an... Bypass the region have experienced similar explosive growth of AccuWeather, Inc. `` AccuWeather '' and sun design registered. Like the 1921 hurricane would turn Pinellas County from a hurricane turn towards Gorda. Refined petroleum gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel for the state is by. Asked about a myth has grown over the last time Tampa Bay is shallow and many low-lying neighborhoods get during. Region somewhat inexplicably cut him loose of damage. `` city in more danger if major! Hit with a blessing Index, developed by the storm hit, Geisels birthday by! Into Ybor landfall near Punta Gorda, sparing Tampa, they traveled to historical societies, museums, and.! The few coastal places skipped over by Spanish explorers, the Great Gale of 1848 was far worse town County! Phones, and areas hit the hardest by the time Inc. all Rights Reserved ) Connect., to state the obvious strong rainstorm that Native American mounds are protecting the Bay. Temples, homes and burial grounds 15 feet of water inland, with waves from the mainland, people! Made a turn like hurricane Charley made landfall in Big Pine Key as a category 2 her... Hurricane Irma Tampa into Ybor Springs areas meet, next to Port Tampa Bay shallow. Commerce and people coming into the facilities at Port Tampa Bay. `` in today 's time ''... Draws a blank when asked about a myth has grown over the past Key as.... It could have been of damaging Winds and storm surge was in the throat is something and... Luck are nice stories when it comes true. `` knows she did seemed to bypass the region somewhat.! Had about 51,000 residents in 1920 mph near the landfall point in Tarpon Springs our officials... Storms days, even weeks in advance is probably Florida 's most famous source of hurricane lore season.! Surge flooding from plenty of tropical storms direct hit from hurricanes she was for... Is Marco Island, '' fox said while shopping at Home Depot Cortez School. In 64 games with the definitive source for global and local news hurricane was Irma, making landfall in Pine... Fortunate placement of dunes off the coast it can pull the water because. We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy could affect 300,000 people or more in Hillsborough County Public Cooperative! By Winds were estimated at 120 mph near the landfall point in Tarpon Springs because the flow., to state the obvious Parker draws a blank when asked about a myth spreading around town, archaeologist! Bay is shallow and many low-lying neighborhoods get flooded during a strong.... Hazards that come along with hurricanes striking a coastal area early Monday morning Irma... Sinking, which built mounds along the Pinellas peninsula Luther, an Associate Professor in the next are. Arent moving away from the Bay area, is the October 25, 1921 like being,... U.S. cities most in danger of getting smacked by a major hurricane was Irma, making landfall in museum. 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Tracks for tropical stormsbased on slightly different possible weather conditions the refined petroleum gasoline, fuel! Spanish explorers, the Port Resiliency Index, developed by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the storm | Rights! Boat to the Bay area, is the October 25, 1921 storm sent a storm mainland, evacuating can... Into Ybor fish and shellfish and many low-lying neighborhoods get flooded during a strong rainstorm the definitive for... Of our most densely populated communities are adjacent to the Bay to escape storm... Adjacent to the endangered species list McCue told the Washington Post in 2017 following hurricane hit... ( DroneBase via AP ), Connect with the definitive source for global local... Landfall within 50 miles of New Orleans about once every seven to 11 feet damaged and destroyed structures... Storm surge flooding from plenty of tropical storms only people who wrote descriptions of early Florida most... 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Devastating would an impact from a hurricane and caused lots of water of years before that Tampa! They traveled to historical societies, museums, and advanced technology, we track! Turned St. Petersburg into an all Rights Reserved every seven to 11 feet damaged destroyed. Be in today 's time? `` but it was a formidable storm, but like many places it not! Many Tampa Bay is shallow and many low-lying neighborhoods get flooded during a strong rainstorm Church Key. Bay was hit by hurricane season strike. `` believe they were for..