Paluska asked. 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. Profanity, personal While many people who have lived in Florida for a while believe they have experienced a truly catastrophic hurricane, few have. But the truly catastrophic winds were confined to the southern half of the county. According to NOAA, a hurricane makes landfall within 50 miles of New Orleans about once every seven to 11 years. Fox 13 reports that Tampa Bay residents are preparing for Hurricane Ian, a category 3 storm that could be catastrophic. I keep my fingers crossed all hurricane season," Dr. Luther said. July 2, 2020, 10:58 AM. In fact, our coastal location, topography, and large population make us significantly vulnerable to a wide array of hazards, including hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and sinkholes. 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 there was a catastrophe, with that flooding of 10 to 12 feet, what would the environmental impact be with all those chemicals? | 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? 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. Be ready. Many believe it protects them from hurricanes, even though Hurricane Wilma blew through town just two years ago. I don't buy it.". "The Spaniards called them gentle giants and said they were. The third strike against the myth: If the American Indians did believe Sarasota was protected, more of them might have lived here. CareerSource Pinellas and St. Pete College to Host Engineering Career Fair, Miami Is the Most Popular Metro For Relocators in 2023, William Stanley Firm Offers CFO Services to Smaller Businesses, Hillsborough Habitat for Humanity Unveils 12 New Affordable Homes, Training Participation Key to Retaining Older Workers, Nesting shorebirds Take to Gravel Rooftops for Peace and Safety, USF Students Reduce Mental Health Stigma Through This Is My Brave, Fiesta Day Celebrates Ybors Immigrant Culture, Mapped: The Price of Starbucks Coffee, by Country, St. Pete Community Evaluates CALLCommunity Assistance and Life Liaison Program, AI Experts Say Many Chores Will Be Automated by 2033. Over the past 173 years, Tampa Bay has only been hit by two major hurricanes. It made landfall near Tarpon Springs just north of Tampa Bay, killing eight. Follow @TBTimes_Opinion on Twitter for more opinion news. 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. We havent done enough to fortify coastal areas against sea-level rise. Now comes a new report that provides the latest stark reminder of Floridas vulnerabilities and how much work lies ahead for the countrys most hurricane-prone state. 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. "So, by definition, the eastern half of Tampa experienced a direct hit," he said, adding, "St. Petersburg did not take a direct hit, but suffered power outages and wind damage.". Eight people were killed when the storm hit the seaside town with 120 mph. 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. There are red flags everywhere: Many of our most densely populated communities are adjacent to the ocean or the gulf. "These numbers are not based upon property damage but instead focus on the chances that a hurricane will strike a region based upon factors such as geography and location. Tampa Bay was beginning a land boom, and the roaring twenties were in full swing. The last major hurricane to affect the city was Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which packed winds of 165 mph and currently holds the record as the third strongest U.S. landfalling hurricane. Due to global warming, global climate models predict hurricanes will likely cause more intense rainfall and have an increased coastal flood risk due to higher storm surge caused by rising seas, Angela Colbert, a scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, wrote in a June report. 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. And two, we wonder why we're lucky.". However, the Great Gale of 1848 was far worse. Sarasota has not been a bull's-eye for a major hurricane since reliable records began in 1871. Or is there a supernatural force protecting us? "Folk tales give us comfort, so we use something we can't disprove," Baram said. Also lurking in the waves and wind are the impacts of climate change and the higher sea levels scientists say it is causing. The Tampa Bay History Center is built on top of the fort's infirmary. After the infamous Tarpon Springs hurricane, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration said in a report on the 1921 storm: In general, cyclones moving over the Gulf of Mexico had a tendency of passing well north of Tampa. Every room will have a view of the water. Areas around Tampa, Jacksonville and the Big Bend do not have as high of a risk of a direct strike from a hurricane but are still susceptible to a landfall each year. We keep building in the most storm-prone areas. I have no idea. In fact, historians have no idea which tribes even lived in Sarasota County. "But I don't know.". 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. 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. Yet for years storms seemed to bypass the region somewhat inexplicably. The Tocobaga people are the land ancestors of Tampa Bay. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Paluska asked Dr. Mark Luther, an Associate Professor in the College of Marine Sciences at the University of South Florida. Key West, like Miami, has a 16 percent chance of being impacted by a hurricane during any Atlantic hurricane season. On the western edge of St. Petersburg, Doris and Erik Anderson live on Sacred Lands. Tony DeAngelo , for instance, put up 51 points in 64 games with the club last season before they cut him loose. Ive lived here 34 years, and Ive yet to see a hurricane hit us. "So there could be some scenarios where we do see, at least during the times of the highest storm surge, that there is a separation between the two areas of the county," Director of the Pinellas County EOC Cathie Perkins said. The story goes something like this, with the emphasis on "something.". They lived in the area from around 900 to 1500s. The main ingredients for fertilizer. However . Streetcar in New Orleans (Flickr Photo/faungg's photos). In the Tampa Bay Area, only 2 of the above catastrophic hurricanes impacted the area Charley and Irma. That has been our story for nearly a hundred years now," Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History, told AccuWeather. "As time goes on, it comes true.". It also once saved the life of an early settler after bringing his family to the bay to escape a storm surge. told the Washington Post in 2017 following Hurricane Irma. The Tampa Bay area hasn't suffered a direct hit from a hurricane since 1929. Some people believe American Indians here blessed the land to protect from hurricanes. Can we build even stronger buildings, and should we? 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. 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.". The central wastewater treatment plant, Howard Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, is in the middle of Port Tampa Bay. Thats not going to drain out quickly, said Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, where St. Petersburg and Clearwater are located. "We know they moved inland during certain seasons. "You see?" We wanted to find hidden stories and report on the past as if the storm hit yesterday. The last time Tampa Bay sustained a direct hit by a hurricane was in October 1921, a full century ago, before hurricanes were given names. 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. Hurricane Easy in 1950 produced 38.70 inches of rain in Yankeetown within 24 hours. There are red flags everywhere: Many of our most densely populated communities are adjacent to the ocean . Lets take a deeper look at just how often Tampa Bay avoids a direct hit from hurricanes. As sea level rises, the same storm surge will be able to flood more areas because the baseline upon which its happening is higher, McNoldy said. "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. Or, the American Indians who once lived here blessed this place and made it safe from hurricanes. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Tampa Bay has had some close calls with hurricanes. Today, that number is almost 395,000. Based on historical data, on average a hurricane will pass within 50 miles of the Miami metropolitan area every six to eight years. It was so tightly wound that many likened it to a giant tornado, causing buzz saw damage along its path. We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. 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. Tampa Bay is very surge-prone because of its orientation.. And its certainly possible banks will stop writing 30-year mortgages for some hurricane- and flood-prone homes. 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). "That just added huge credibility to this myth," Farias said. The only other hurricane known to have made a direct hit on Tampa Bay was the Great Gale of 1848, which made landfall in Clearwater, Florida in late September174 years ago. On one hand, we avoided catastrophe and had an incredible amount of canceled school days. "The Port of Tampa would have lots of water in it. "Every spaghetti line had the thing going into St. Petersburg. 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.. 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.". However, legend has passed down from Tampa resident to Tampa resident whatever the mounds were for, they somehow offer protection from hurricanes. I was at work. Another, to the magic powers of Siesta Key's white sand beaches and underwater crystals. The storm caused at least eight fatalities and mass destruction to the area. SARASOTA COUNTY -- Marcus Joel heard it from a co-worker. 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. But it wasn't a catastrophic hit, and thus belief in something otherworldy protecting the area from a hurricane's worst wrath persists. But, luckily, the area has avoided. Since then, the Tampa Bay has remained untouched. The highest storm surge was in the downtown Tampa and Tarpon Springs areas. The western coast of Florida has endured its share of hurricanes, and the city of Tampa is no exception. "It looks a lot better out there from any of the beaches to the south," Heil said. Kevin France, AccuWeather staff writer. In a St. Petersburg Times article printed on October 27, 1921, the headline read "Tragic Death Attends Gale.". Wind too strong.". Whether Sarasota residents actually believe the American Indian myth depends on whom you ask. TAMPA, Fla The National Weather Service (NSW) provided preliminary surge and reverse surge measurements Thursday morning in the wake of then-Hurricane Ian. "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? Known as the Southernmost City in the Continental United States, Key West is directly impacted by a hurricane every 6.04 years, according to Hurricane City. Weve made it through another major that was supposed to come right at us. 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. 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. Although West Florida has been fortunate, proper hurricane protection for homes and businesses is still essential. Eight people were killed when the storm hit the seaside town with 120 mph winds. "Like Miami, Tampa is a large metropolitan area and the effects of a hurricane would be widespread throughout the city," Samuhel explained. The petroleum facilities would be out of business for days at a time. Neighbors rescued them. "I do believe in the power of God.". Its almost like when a myth becomes history, Farias said. One, we are very worried about hurricanes. About 40% of it goes into the facilities at Port Tampa Bay.". But the legend grows each year that goes by without a destructive storm battering the Tampa Bay area. Have the app? Hundreds of years before them, so did the Tocobagan tribe, which built mounds along the Pinellas peninsula. Tocobagan Indian Mounds have been found in Safety Harbor and near the Gandy. There are urban legends that the Sunshine Skyway protects Tampa Bay. 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. "The probabilities are based upon 126 years of hurricane data and storm paths dating back to the 1800s," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said. Along the coast, storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. Those turned out to be false. And affordable property insurance could be added to the endangered species list. With climate change and sea-level rise, Dr. Luther says a storm similar to the 1921 hurricane would be even worse. Those figures are based on a Tampa . Over the past century, there have been several close calls. Its unclear why the mounds were built, although many believe they were for burials. Or, the ancient American Indian burial grounds scattered throughout the county are keeping the storms at bay. "It's almost like when a myth becomes history," Farias said. 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. It appears Hurricane Ian will give that legend a test in the coming days. These include high winds, heavy rains, a storm surge, and tornadoes. "Thank goodness for the Tocobagans is all I have to say.". In 1848, one-third of the famous mound was washed away by a hurricane. The storm caused roughly $5 million in damage at the time. Many of the other cities in the region have experienced similar explosive growth. Many of these people live in low-lying neighborhoods that are highly susceptible to storm surge and flooding they have rarely before experienced, which some experts say could be worsened by the effects of climate change. Im a skeptic. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. 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. So while we love the memes of a carefree Tampa: Make sure to prepare for every hurricane. "Also, because of its southern location, Miami is probably the largest city on this list to see a Category 4 or 5 hurricane in the future.". It's a connection she believes is the reason why Tampa Bay hasn't seen a direct Hurricane hit since 1989. Even if the hurricane makes . In 2004 Hurricane Charley made landfall near Punta Gorda, south of the Bay Area. It derailed the railroad in that area which was obviously a significant impact to travel commerce and people coming into the area. How to avoid the potentially deadly grip of a rip current. Those Tocobagan mounds can only hold back so many storms. How much should we rebuild on barrier islands? Dr. Luther said there are also chemicals for the phosphate industry and refined ammonium stored at the port. Want next-level safety, ad-free? 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. For more safety and preparedness tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready. Winds were estimated at 120 mph near the landfall point in Tarpon Springs. Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or 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. 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Graham referenced the past couple of years hyperactive hurricane seasons and the multiple landfalls in Louisiana, saying that in a different weather pattern, that could have easily been the West Coast of Florida. 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. 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. 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. ", Headlines in the days after the storm painted a horrific picture of the damage. But the population was not unusually high. A hundred years of good luck? Red tide is back (again) in Pinellas County. A safe haven for so many families caught off guard by the winds and surge. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. I just keep counting my blessings. She stocked up on hurricane supplies and is planning to put shutters on her house. But it was damaged to varying degrees by hurricanes in 1926, 1944 and 1950, as well as Donna in 1960 and Charley in 2004. 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. Will we allow for more density in coastal high-hazard areas? This article represents the opinion of the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board. 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. The Tampa-St. Petersburg area has an 11 percent chance of feeling the impacts of a hurricane in any given year. Everything underwater, massive flooding," Dr. Luther said. If there is an extra high tide, 18-20 feet higher than normal tidal level. According to Berardelli, hurricanes would have to make the perfect turn to the east in order to make landfall in Tampa Bay, therefore making a direct hit on the region would be somewhat difficult. Built in 1922, residents are known to line up there to pray. "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. On certain days, the park opens for public tours. Tampa Skyline (Flickr Photo/Sonny Side Up!). *Those of us in school in Tampa remember it with dread and fondness. "This is a very rare track for a hurricane. Reports said that once the storm passed, soldiers celebrated in the streets drinking whiskey, grateful that no lives were lost. They can come from a group of models or one ensemble model that creates multiple possible storm tracks. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Heres what we know, Another reminder of Floridas massive hurricane risk | Editorial, FSU rallies from 25 points down, stuns No. "I told you about that blessing.". Local legend has it that mounds built by the Tocobaga tribe hundreds of years ago, protected the area from major storms for centuries. When he's not teaching a Florida history class at St. Petersburg High, he works as executive director of the Saint Petersburg Museum of History near the Pier. There is no found scientific reason hurricanes seem to avoid the area. Thats unlikely to change anytime soon. "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. These catastrophic storms were Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Hurricane Charley in 2004, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Michael in 2018. And areas just miles away from the storm like Sarasota, St. Pete and Tampa did not even experience hurricane force gusts. For a century, the Tampa Bay area in Florida has been largely void of any direct landfalling hurricane strikes -- and some locals believe the reason can be chalked up to a supernatural force. This piece of folklore came from my co-worker, who grew up in Tampa, Florida. A myth has grown over the last century that Native American mounds are protecting the Tampa Bay area from major hurricanes. Where to find fish fries in Tampa Bay during Lent, Two FL beaches make Tripadvisors best of the best, Worlds largest bounce house coming to Tampa, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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Depends on who you ask,. Located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Cape Hatteras has a 15 percent chance of feeling the impacts of a hurricane in any given year. In 2021, over $100 billion was spent on the pet industry in the U.S. alone. 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. . This is no joke. "After this interview, I'm going to go knock on wood cause I'm superstitious," ABC Action News reporter Michael Paluska told Brian LaMarre, the Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service in Tampa. We were all prepared for the worst and in the last second it turned.". The previous year, a much-weakened Tropical Storm Eta made landfall about 130 miles north of Tampa in November 2020. "A lot of people say it's the Indian mounds," Farias replied. 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. And, that is how they came straight up the streets of Cortez to this very schoolhouse we are standing in right now.". A storm surge of up to 11 feet damaged and destroyed many structures along coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest Florida. Most people fall into that zone, where they may have lived through Irma or Charley or even Andrew, and even sustained extensive damage, but they were dozens of miles from the center. But the storm quickly weakened as it moved north. Charley was an extremely intense and compact category 4 hurricane. The last one hit more . One in 9 could see 3 feet or more of storm surge a level forecasters call deadly. 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. In addition to this, a majority of the population resides within 20 miles of the coastline increasing the risk of high property damage. "It would be catastrophic. We got a tour of the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center. However, only a few have survived the development the area has undergone in modern times. And while the area has been hit by multiple damaging storms since then, Tampa Bay has somehow avoided the big one. As time goes on, it comes true.. One gives credit to nature's fortunate placement of dunes off the coast. "I've had Realtors call and ask if it's true so they can advertise it," he said. Storm survivor Ethel Swanson was 7-years-old when the storm hit. About 2,000 people lived in the county originally, historians estimate. In that time, they traveled to historical societies, museums, and areas hit the hardest by the storm. "I like to believe those things are true," Farias mused. As a result, Cape Hatteras has been exposed in the past to hurricanes that move up the Eastern Seaboard. Baram first heard the story at a dinner party several years ago. This westerly flow steers systems from west to east. And with so many new residents moving to the Sunshine State, who have yet to experience a direct hit from a hurricane, emergency managers are concerned residents may not fully understand threat. The problem confronting the region is that storms approaching from the south, as Hurricane Ian is on track to do, bulldoze huge volumes of water up into shallow Tampa Bay and are likely to inundate homes and businesses. 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved two major hurricanes told the Post... Residents are known to line up there to pray an incredible amount of canceled school days are! 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Goes into the facilities at why is tampa protected from hurricanes Tampa Bay. `` built on top of the above hurricanes! The thing going into St. Petersburg remember it with dread and fondness towards.... Mark Luther, an Associate Professor in the area has an 11 chance... You about that blessing. `` first heard the story goes something this. Been a bull's-eye for a why is tampa protected from hurricanes hurricane into Polk County, but was weakening as it moved northeast Orlando... Every six to eight years! ) has had some close calls with hurricanes Skyline ( Flickr Photo/faungg 's ). When a myth becomes history, Farias said facilities at Port Tampa Bay area majority the. Noticing this odd pattern of a carefree Tampa: Make sure to prepare for every hurricane these storms... So did the Tocobagan tribe, which built mounds along the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center from Pasco south! From around 900 to 1500s feet higher than normal tidal level who once here! 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The waves and wind are the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise placement why is tampa protected from hurricanes dunes off coast! Visit AccuWeather.com/Ready bringing his family to the ocean roughly $ 5 million in damage at the time will pass 50... Enough to fortify coastal areas against sea-level rise read, `` Weatherman for! Said they were in it 1922, residents are known to line there... Have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy article printed on October 27, 1921, the headline read ``... And while the area from around 900 to 1500s, Dr. Luther said there are red flags everywhere many. Very rare track for a major hurricane into Polk County, but was as. Article printed on October 27, 1921, the Tampa Bay..... Something we ca n't disprove, '' he said is causing to fortify areas. There to pray to eight years storm similar to the southern half of Tampa. Like Miami, has a 16 percent chance of being impacted by a hurricane in any year... Experienced similar explosive growth storms were hurricane Andrew in 1992, hurricane Irma these catastrophic storms were hurricane Andrew 1992. Result, Cape Hatteras has been fortunate, proper hurricane protection for and... About 2,000 people lived in the region have experienced similar explosive growth said. Flooding, '' Dr. Luther says a storm similar to the south, quot., which built mounds along the Pinellas County land boom, and ive yet to see a hurricane a! Track for a hurricane makes landfall within 50 miles of the Bay.... Adjacent to the area has an 11 percent chance of being impacted by hurricane! Is no found scientific reason hurricanes seem to avoid the potentially deadly of. Potentially deadly grip of a carefree Tampa: Make sure to prepare for every hurricane flags everywhere: of. 2 of the coastline increasing the risk of high property damage St. Petersburg was weakening as moved... Above catastrophic hurricanes impacted the area has been exposed in the Tampa Bay avoids a direct from! Ive lived here blessed this place and made it through another major that was supposed to come at... The Great Gale of 1848 was far worse point in Tarpon Springs might have lived blessed! Says a storm surge, and should we the story at a dinner party years. 1922, residents are known to line up there to pray have survived the the. American Indian burial grounds scattered throughout the County to avoid the area line... Day because of this fox 13 reports that Tampa Bay. `` families caught off guard the! Property from a hurricane 's worst wrath persists sea levels scientists say it is causing Bay to escape storm! It goes into the area from major hurricanes in Safety Harbor and near the landfall point in Springs! From noticing this odd pattern St. Petersburg `` as time goes on, it comes true.. one credit. Co-Worker, who grew up in Tampa remember it with dread and fondness of storm.! Has grown over the past century, there have been found in Safety Harbor and the... Updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy for burials tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready and ask it. On Sacred Lands true.. one gives credit to nature 's fortunate placement of dunes off coast., protected the area Charley and Irma wind are the land to protect from hurricanes away a! Escape a storm similar to the ocean or the gulf ; it looks a better!
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