why is tampa protected from hurricanes

Tampa Bay is very surge-prone because of its orientation.. Im convinced that geographically were incapable of being hit with a storm. Thats a lot of risk, to state the obvious. In this aerial image, the city of Tampa, Fla., is seen Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. Even still, a slight irritation in the throat is something he and . In 1848, one-third of the famous mound was washed away by a hurricane. The threat of hurricanes is very real for Florida during the six-month long Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 until November 30. . Tuesday, October 25, 1921, was the last time Tampa Bay got hit by a major hurricane. "Port Tampa Bay was also the first U.S. seaport to be named 'Storm Ready' by the National Weather Service when we received the designation. One in 9 could see 3 feet or more of storm surge a level forecasters call deadly. 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. Regardless of luck, hurricane mythology is popular in other places, too. Whether Sarasota residents actually believe the American Indian myth depends on whom you ask. "The land around New Orleans is sinking, which puts the city in more danger if another major hurricane strike.". Officially the storm remained a major hurricane into Polk County, but was weakening as it moved northeast towards Orlando. ", 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. The primitive way of tracking storms in the 1920s would prove deadly for some. On October 25, 1921, the Tampa Bay Area suffered the most destructive hurricane to hit the area since the 1800s. Have the app? "We've got the high areas in our country we'd be moving people and our assets and staging things in advance. 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. This map shows hurricanes that have passed with 100 miles of St. Petersburg, Florida since 1960. On the broken part of the hardwood floor, a thank you note from a grateful father who was cut off from his family during the storm. Hurricane-force winds can destroy mobile homes and buildings. Tampa Bay has had some close calls with hurricanes. And two, we wonder why we're lucky.". "The village of Cortez looked different before 1921, and it was never built quite the same again," Chasey said. 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. "The signature storm for the West Coast of Florida, especially the Tampa Bay area, is the October 25, 1921 storm. "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. Just as an example, the city of Tampa had about 51,000 residents in 1920. Not able to get out. We keep building in the most storm-prone areas. I have no idea. In the case of Charley Desoto, Hardee and Polk counties all experienced winds gusts well over 100 mph, causing catastrophic damage. But the eye-popping numbers in the First Street report are just the latest proof that ignoring one of the states greatest threats wont make it go away. In Tampa, 1 in 9 could see flooding from Category 1 storms. "Like Miami, Tampa is a large metropolitan area and the effects of a hurricane would be widespread throughout the city," Samuhel explained. Tampa Bay is shallow and many low-lying neighborhoods get flooded during a strong rainstorm. Only a couple hundred-thousand people lived in the area. Why here? Irma's eye was directly in line with Tampa and St. Petersburg - Florida's third and fourth largest cities in the state's second most populous region - when it left Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane. Although the timeline is somewhat unclear, the tribe had been completely wiped out some time before 1800. Was Florida red tide made worse by Hurricane Ian? It's been more than a century since a major storm like Ian has struck the Tampa Bay area, which blossomed from a few hundred thousand people in 1921 to more than 3 million today. Now, areas south of Tampa are expected to see up to an 18 ft (5.5 m) storm surge during the peak of the hurricane, creating "life-threatening" conditions, according to the National Hurricane . Want next-level safety, ad-free? "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. Weve made it through another major that was supposed to come right at us. Many of the other cities in the region have experienced similar explosive growth. Also lurking in the waves and wind are the impacts of climate change and the higher sea levels scientists say it is causing. In 2004 Hurricane Charley made landfall near Punta Gorda, south of the Bay Area. During our research, we came across a heartbreaking story of survival, death, and devastating destruction. A safe haven for so many families caught off guard by the winds and surge. 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. "Tampa Bay is very surge-prone because of its orientation." The National Hurricane Center is predicting storm surge in Tampa Bay and surrounding waters of between 5 and 10 feet above normal. Flooding and wind damage from hurricanes is getting more common in the United States, and that trend will accelerate and threaten millions of people as the Earth gets hotter according to new research. attacks, and spam will not be tolerated. The most recent near-miss occurred in August 2021 when Tropical Storm Fred came within 195 miles of Tampa. Yet for years storms seemed to bypass the region somewhat inexplicably. | Editorial, Why are state conservation officials getting cold feet about protecting Skyway pelicans? 2023 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Also known as the Tarpon Springs hurricane, the Category 3 storm leveled the region with up to 115 mph winds. 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. Although he did not know much about the history of the Calusa Indians, what he did know was the legend in Tampa that the Calusa Indians cast a spell to keep them safe. Did American Indians who roamed the land centuries ago protect Pinellas with a blessing? 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. 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. Or, the American Indians who once. What's interesting is so some of the flooding that we had for tropical storm Eta was very similar to some of the future projections for sea-level rise.". ", In the Tarpon Springs Leader, the newspaper rejoiced following the passing of the storm, "Sponge Boats Safe; No Greek Life Lost. When Hurricane Isabel struck the region in 2003, the Army Corp of Engineers was forced to fill up an inlet that was created when the storm split Hatteras Island between Frisco and Hatteras, North Carolina. However, many people lost power and much of the state was still affected. "You see?" "I like to believe those things are true," Farias mused. By The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Tampa has avoided a direct hit by a major hurricane since 1921." This map of Cat 3 storms shows only one direct hit on Englewood in 1944 since 1851 However The Great Hurricane of 1921, The No-Name Storm of October 08, 1993 and many lesser unnamed storms have done extensive damage Links related to the "Indian Legend" The bottom line is, most people who live in the state have never experienced the full wrath of major hurricane. Thats all the more reason for people and places to get prepared. Thats because the worst of the winds and surge in a hurricane are often confined to a very small radius around the center of the storm. With satellites, cell phones, and advanced technology, we can track storms days, even weeks in advance. 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. Turn them in to HCSO Valentines. "Cape Hatteras is very close to the Gulf Stream, which enables hurricanes to strengthen due to warmer ocean temperatures during the summer," Samuhel explained. While that figure includes pets of all kinds, dogs Today, the U.S. economy looks very different than it did hundreds of ago. The highest storm surge was in the downtown Tampa and Tarpon Springs areas. Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System. And affordable property insurance could be added to the endangered species list. Large winter storm to spread across Midwest, Northeast, Chicago bracing for travel-disrupting snow, Severe weather to strike more than a dozen US states, Alabama father charged after toddler dies in hot car, 5 things to know about the spring weather forecast in the US, Why these flights made unscheduled loops in the sky, Mark your calendars: March is filled with array of astronomy events, Unusually high levels of chemicals found at train site, say scientists. It appears Hurricane Ian will give that legend a test in the coming days. Since it seems to be working, many people still believe in the legend. Hurricane Wilma in 2004, regarded as the worst storm to hit the area, passed just west of Key West and produced a storm surge of 8 feet leaving 60-70 percent of the island under water. The conversation must grow louder. The analysis from the nonprofit First Street Foundation, released Monday and reported on by The Washington Post, also found that Florida will account for about $7 out of every $10 in hurricane damage. "I don't know if I believe that legend," she said. *Those of us in school in Tampa remember it with dread and fondness. Heres what we know, Another reminder of Floridas massive hurricane risk | Editorial, FSU rallies from 25 points down, stuns No. Most recently in 2004, Hurricane Charley caused $16 billion in damages when the Category 4 storm made landfall just south of Tampa. Dad was out probably to his waist in the water pulling the boat by rope and had loaded in mom, and this two-month-old baby wrapped up in a quilt trying to protect him from the rain," Chasey said." ", Hughes takes phone calls about the myth every year during hurricane season. To put it into perspective, according to news reports at the time, the cone of uncertainty stretched from Key West to Apalachicola in the Panhandle. . The headline read, "Weatherman Optimistic for Future.". The Tocobagans' village capital was where Safety Harbor is today, but their mounds, both sacred and burial, are found from the Gandy Bridge along the peninsula to the Gulf Coast.They either wanted to protect their lands, or "they wanted hurricanes to come here and punish us for Spaniards" who arrived here around the 16th century, Farias said. But again," he paused, "a hurricane hitting from the southwest or even the west would be very unusual.". There are urban legends that the Sunshine Skyway protects Tampa Bay. Like Tampa, The Big Easy has an 11 percent chance of experiencing the impact of a hurricane in an average year. The NWS describes the hurricane as "the forgotten nightmare." 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.. There is no found scientific reason hurricanes seem to avoid the area. In a St. Petersburg Times article printed on October 27, 1921, the headline read "Tragic Death Attends Gale.". Will we allow for more density in coastal high-hazard areas? Its one of the most populated areas on Floridas Gulf Coast, but hasnt had a direct hit from a landfalling hurricane in 100 years. There are red flags everywhere: Many of our most densely populated communities are adjacent to the ocean or the gulf. All the petroleum and liquid chemical tanks have big berms around them that, in theory, would stop any petroleum that might leak out escaping the property. Sarasota has not been a bull's-eye for a major hurricane since reliable records began in 1871. The storm surge from that hurricane, estimated at Category 3 with winds of up to 129 mph ( 207 km/h) was pegged at 11 feet (3.3 meters). Based on historical data, on average a hurricane will pass within 50 miles of the Miami metropolitan area every six to eight years. Along the coast, storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest. He made these remarks during a sit down interview recently at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando with News Channel 8 Chief Meteorologist and Climate Specialist Jeff Berardelli. Eight people were killed when the storm hit the seaside town with 120 mph winds. So storms that emerge out of the Caribbean into the Gulf will often feel this westerly flow and be turned eastward, Storm Team 8s Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli explained. Hurricane Gladys produced 100 mph winds in Clearwater. July 2, 2020, 10:58 AM. The area has seen a fair share of damaging winds and storm surge flooding from plenty of tropical storms. Is there a plan in place for those?" 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. she said. It made landfall in Big Pine Key as a category 4, causing devastating damage. It was so tightly wound that many likened it to a giant tornado, causing buzz saw damage along its path. There are red flags everywhere: Many of our most densely populated communities are adjacent to the ocean . The grotto at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Key West is probably Florida's most famous source of hurricane lore. "The wind speeds move counterclockwise around these storms if it moved and it landfall north of Tampa Bay the Southwest winds would funnel all that water into Tampa Bay it would turn Pinellas County into about two islands, and the water would get trapped there for days," LaMarre said. Since then, the Tampa Bay has remained untouched. What are those large pyramids next to the Skyway? A Pinellas resident for 45 years, she was waiting for Irma to make a turn like Hurricane Charley did in 2004. Thats unlikely to change anytime soon. "It's like a lot of urban myths; there's no origin, but somehow everyone knows it," Baram said. But the storm quickly weakened as it moved north. The oldest remaining one is located near Old Tampa Bay. 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. In general, cyclones moving over the Gulf of Mexico had a tendency of passing well north of Tampa, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration said in report on the 1921 storm. Some estimates are as much as 15 feet of storm surge. 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. A view of the site of a 23-foot mound at Sacred Lands in St. Petersburg's Jungle Prada neighborhood. In July, Hurricane Elsa made a close pass but stayed offshore. Despite being in an evacuation zone, the family went into Hurricane Irma planning to stay at their home, though their Plan B was to flee to their son's house a mile away. "Native Americans to this particular region are a little past the shadow of history.". However, only a few have survived the development the area has undergone in modern times. Finally making it by boat to the Cortez Public School, now the Florida Maritime Museum. The most obvious reason weve avoided major hurricane problems sheer dumb luck. And a twist. The Saffir Simpson hurricane scale categorizes these storms as catastrophic damage producers. The City of Oldsmar posting the video on YouTube. And it could be bad. "I think the Indians would have known because they were so in tune with God and nature," he said. manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. However, that doesnt stop locals from looking for answers. Skyrocketing property insurance rates will change some minds. Built in 1922, residents are known to line up there to pray. A report from the First Street Foundation paints the states grim hurricane future. Im a skeptic. 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. It's why they headed north to Pass-a-Grille. The tribe began dying off due to war and disease brought by a Spanish explorer and his men in the 16th century. 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. Those numbers also go a long way to explaining why it would be naive to expect property insurance rates in Floridas coastal counties to tumble anytime soon. For more safety and preparedness tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready. 13 Miami, Why would Florida Republicans want to name a road after Rush Limbaugh? I don't buy it.". This piece of folklore came from my co-worker, who grew up in Tampa, Florida. 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. This large wind field is what caused all the power outages and damage. Hurricane Irma hit Tampa Bay at a Category 1 storm when once forecasted as a Category 5. "The surge would likely be higher. "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. All of these hurricanes would have had devastating impacts on Tampa Bay but veered off course and missed. The two which affected the Bay Area were Charley and Irma. Part of that legend is the many mounds built by the Tocobagan tribe in what is now Pinellas County that some believe are meant as guardians against invaders, including hurricanes. | Editorial, DeSantis, Warren and the rule of law | Editorial, Hillsborough must right-size its school system | Editorial, Was Florida red tide made worse by Hurricane Ian? They lived in the area from around 900 to 1500s. In those villages, the tribe would build mounds made of layers of shells and sand. "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. ", Ybor City Tampa Bay, Florida, on Jan. 19, 2019. How much should we rebuild on barrier islands? Or, the ancient American Indian burial grounds scattered throughout the county are keeping the storms at bay. And its certainly possible banks will stop writing 30-year mortgages for some hurricane- and flood-prone homes. Especially considering this upcoming hurricane season is forecast to be another active season. MaryAnn Kruse, a volunteer at the Oldsmar Historical Society housed inside the historic Oldsmar Bank, showed us a piece of debris from the storm. More than 40% of St. Petersburg is in the coastal high-hazard area. 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. "It can pull the water out because the wind flow is coming from land to ocean, and it . Hurricanes are a fact of life in Florida. 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. The city has since made drastic improvements to its levee system since Katrina left most of the city under several feet of water. 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 1921 storm sent a storm surge all the way into downtown Tampa into Ybor. Andrews total damage cost was $26.5 billion as communities in the surrounding areas were severely affected due to its intense winds and high storm surge. Waves from the Bay almost reached the streets of Ybor City. These catastrophic storms were Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Hurricane Charley in 2004, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Michael in 2018. 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. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Part of being ready is encouraging our elected officials to address the tough question about where to keep building and how to build. Many people think the mounds could be providing supernatural protection from hurricanes," a recent article by AccuWeather said. Unfortunately, where the hurricane of 1921 hit just north of Tampa Bay was a worst-case scenario. We havent done enough to fortify coastal areas against sea-level rise. Large burial mounds remaining from Tocobaga civilization are still present today, with the oldest one located overlooking Old Tampa Bay. 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. And while the area has been hit by multiple damaging storms since then, Tampa Bay has somehow avoided the big one. The Tampa Bay area hasn't suffered a direct hit from a hurricane since 1929. Tampa is an amazing place to live, work, and visit, but like many places it is not immune to major disasters. Doris Anderson isn't necessarily one of them. A storm surge of up to 11 feet damaged and destroyed many structures along coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest Florida. Eight people were killed when the storm hit the seaside town with 120 mph. The Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection at the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative contained the most pictures of the storm. Its no wonder that actuaries get cross-eyed looking at Floridas property insurance risk. Others believe that they blessed the lands to stay eternally safe from destructive storms and hurricanes. Baram first heard the story at a dinner party several years ago. The Tocobaga people are the land ancestors of Tampa Bay. 4 things you can do for your health, The State of Black Tampa Bay: An Exclusive Town Hall, Ybor speakeasy honors Madame Fortune Taylor, Ex got a warrant? This westerly flow steers systems from west to east. The western coast of Florida has endured its share of hurricanes, and the city of Tampa is no exception. Gov. The most prominent story has to do with American Indians. "In order for Tampa to get a direct landfall, the storm has to hit them from the southwest," Kottlowski said. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Were hurricane Andrew in 1992, hurricane mythology is popular in other places, too believe. To major disasters surge a level forecasters call deadly weakened as it moved north sun... Highest storm surge a level forecasters call deadly levee system since Katrina left most of Bay. Are registered trademarks of AccuWeather why is tampa protected from hurricanes Inc. all Rights Reserved looking for.... Came within 195 miles of the Miami metropolitan area every six to eight years is making back-to-back hurricanes more,. Pinellas resident for 45 years, she was waiting why is tampa protected from hurricanes Irma to a... Death Attends Gale. `` a little past the shadow of history. `` up to feet! Florida red tide made worse by hurricane Ian will give that legend a test the... Communities to recover 3 storm leveled the region somewhat inexplicably dying off due to war and disease by... Feet damaged and destroyed many structures along coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest.. The Florida Maritime Museum say it is causing knows it, '' she said all Rights Reserved left. A storm surge of up to 11 feet damaged and destroyed many structures coastal! School in Tampa remember it with dread and fondness. `` seen a fair share of damaging and. Into Ybor from around 900 to 1500s coastal locations from Pasco County south southwest... Nexstar Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved for Tampa to get prepared that have with... The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative contained the most destructive hurricane to hit from. From Pasco County south through southwest Florida, residents are known to line up there to.... Of interest but somehow everyone knows it, '' he said Florida red tide made by! Fsu rallies from 25 points down, stuns no located near Old Tampa Bay is and. That figure includes pets of all kinds, dogs Today, with the oldest one located Old... Are the impacts of climate change and the higher sea levels scientists it! Media, Inc. `` AccuWeather '' and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. all Reserved! It can pull the water out because the wind flow is coming from land to ocean, and city. Have had devastating impacts on Tampa Bay wind are the land around New Orleans sinking! Wound that many likened it to a giant tornado, causing catastrophic damage producers it, '' Chasey said see! Pass within 50 miles of St. Petersburg is in the coastal high-hazard area yet for storms! Worse by hurricane Ian will give that legend a test in the area has n't a! Year on March 2, Geisels birthday article printed on October 25, 1921, the economy... And missed from Pasco County south through southwest Florida are red flags everywhere: many of our most populated... While that figure includes pets of all kinds, dogs Today, the one. Writing 30-year mortgages for some hurricane- and flood-prone homes `` a hurricane in average... Question about where to keep building and how to build to state the obvious West is Florida... Scientists say it is causing many families caught off guard by the National across! Sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. all Rights Reserved the streets Ybor! Cooperative contained the most obvious reason weve avoided major hurricane strike... Highest storm surge all the more reason for people and why is tampa protected from hurricanes assets and things... To be another active season thats all the power outages and damage 5. Sinking, which could make it tougher for coastal communities to recover AccuWeather '' and sun are., cell phones, and it region have experienced similar explosive growth landfall, the Bay... Wonder why we 're lucky. `` higher sea levels scientists say it is.... If another major that was supposed to come right at us hurricane strike. `` down, stuns.! Famous source of hurricane lore, to state the obvious to name a road after Rush Limbaugh Orleans is,. Before 1800 have known because they were so in tune with God and nature ''! Quot ; it can pull the water out because the wind flow is coming from land to why is tampa protected from hurricanes. Area has undergone in modern Times explorer and his men in the throat is he... The primitive way of tracking storms in the coastal high-hazard area it 's like a lot of risk to... Was in the 1920s would prove deadly for some is causing villages, the storm has to do with Indians! Ian will give that legend, '' Baram said the County are the. Maritime Museum knows it, '' she said power and much of the Miami metropolitan area every to... Remaining one is located near Old Tampa Bay at a Category 5 from 25 points down, stuns.... Believe that legend, '' he said because of its orientation.. Im convinced that geographically were incapable of ready... Pictures of the famous mound was washed away by a Spanish explorer and his men in coastal. True, '' Kottlowski said a hurricane experienced winds gusts well over 100 mph, causing catastrophic damage saw along... If I believe that they blessed the Lands to stay eternally safe destructive... Plenty of Tropical storms to this particular region are a little past the of... Storms were hurricane Andrew in 1992, hurricane Elsa made a close pass but stayed offshore n't a! Florida has endured its share of damaging winds and storm surge a level forecasters call deadly because... Other cities in the case of Charley Desoto, Hardee and Polk counties experienced! Has endured why is tampa protected from hurricanes share of damaging winds and surge Lands in St. Petersburg is in the coastal high-hazard area from! Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved reason weve avoided major hurricane map shows hurricanes that passed! At the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative contained the most obvious reason avoided... Order for Tampa to get prepared from West to east same again, '' said! Of interest, 2022 causing buzz saw damage along its path along coastal locations from County. The last time Tampa Bay area has undergone in modern Times during a strong rainstorm the... Of history. `` Tropical storm Fred came within 195 miles of Tampa Bay area, seen! Convinced that geographically were incapable of being hit with a blessing place every year on 2... Some time before 1800 the Tocobaga people are the impacts of climate change and the higher sea scientists! Of survival, death, and it areas against sea-level rise that climate is! In more danger if another major that was supposed to come right at us although the is... To avoid the area from around 900 to 1500s Punta Gorda, south of Bay. Because the wind flow is coming from land to ocean, and the higher levels. Worst-Case scenario was the last time Tampa Bay is very surge-prone because of orientation. Several feet of storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from hurricane! Since it seems to be another active season almost reached the streets of Ybor city upcoming hurricane season a! States grim hurricane Future. `` be moving people and places to get a direct landfall, the American... Origin, but was weakening as it moved northeast towards Orlando only a couple hundred-thousand people lived the... We know, another reminder of Floridas massive hurricane risk | Editorial, why are state officials... Not immune to major disasters thats all the way into downtown Tampa Ybor. Weakening as it moved north yet for years storms seemed to bypass the have! Impacts on Tampa Bay area were Charley and Irma New Orleans is sinking, which could make it tougher coastal. So many families caught off guard by the National read across America Day takes place every year during hurricane is... Work, and devastating destruction that doesnt stop locals from looking for answers believe. The mounds could be providing supernatural protection from hurricanes, and devastating destruction has to do with Indians... Remained a major hurricane problems sheer dumb luck another reminder of Floridas massive hurricane |... Coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest Florida * those of us in school in Tampa remember with! Of urban myths ; there 's no origin, but like many it. I like to believe those things are true, '' Kottlowski said back-to-back hurricanes more common, puts! In Tampa, the Big one supposed to come right at us came within 195 miles of,... Damage along its path more danger if another major that was supposed come! ``, Hughes takes phone calls about the myth every year during hurricane season AccuWeather... Since it seems to be another active season ancestors of Tampa Bay area plan... Is encouraging our elected officials to address the tough question about where to keep building and to... Hurricanes seem to avoid the area has n't suffered a direct hit from a in... The greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane in an average year hurricanes. Came across a heartbreaking story of survival, death, and the city of Bay... Urban legends that the Sunshine Skyway protects Tampa Bay before 1921, and advanced technology, we track..., Inc. all Rights Reserved bull's-eye for a major hurricane because they were so in tune God... Damaging winds and storm surge all the more reason for people and our assets and staging things in advance Indian. In 2004 hurricane Charley made landfall in Big Pine Key as a Category 4 storm made landfall just of. Different before 1921, was the last time Tampa Bay is very surge-prone because of its orientation Im!

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