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. There's a 23-foot mound here at Sacred Lands in the Jungle Prada neighborhood, south of Park Street N and 22nd Avenue N. 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. 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. Although the timeline is somewhat unclear, the tribe had been completely wiped out some time before 1800. Yet for years storms seemed to bypass the region somewhat inexplicably. Its unclear why the mounds were built, although many believe they were for burials. Streetcar in New Orleans (Flickr Photo/faungg's photos). With reverse storm surge, especially in larger storms like Ian, the opposite happens, explained Pastelok. Or, the ancient American Indian burial grounds scattered throughout the county are keeping the storms at bay. The members of the Editorial Board are Editor of Editorials Graham Brink, Sherri Day, Sebastian Dortch, John Hill, Jim Verhulst and Chairman and CEO Conan Gallaty. Still, the Hurricanes have used players like Gostisbehere effectively in years past. 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. ", 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. "Given all the development across Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, the Tampa Bay area, the devastation would be catastrophic. "It gets passed down from neighbor to neighbor.". Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History, told the Tampa Bay Times after Hurricane Irmas near miss in 2017 that many people still believe it. Ben Gamel has a familiar feeling in joining Rays, Rays get quick feel for new rules in exhibition opener, Bastille concert Monday in St. Petersburg canceled due to Hurricane Irma. It would not have taken too much of pattern a shift for that to happen. Tuesday, October 25, 1921, was the last time Tampa Bay got hit by a major hurricane. 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. Elev8 Fun is a family-friendly entertainment concept that is coming to How To Save Money While Preparing for Hurricane Season, Prepare for Hurricane Season: Learn New Hillsborough Evacuation Zones, Ready Pinellas Emergency Planning App Updated for 2022 Hurricane Season, Expect a Competitive Shopping Season, Despite Few Available Homes, Gasparilla International Film Festival Draws Hundreds of Submissions, City Taking Next Steps in Expanding Tampa Riverwalk, New Research Measures the Quality of Work and Life in the Tampa Bay region, Ranked: The Worlds Most and Least Powerful Passports in 2023. Another reminder of Floridas massive hurricane risk | Editorial. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. "I don't know if I believe that legend," she said. In 1848, one-third of the famous mound was washed away by a hurricane. We havent done enough to fortify coastal areas against sea-level rise. The previous year, a much-weakened Tropical Storm Eta made landfall about 130 miles north of Tampa in November 2020. 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. All of these hurricanes would have had devastating impacts on Tampa Bay but veered off course and missed. The adjacent Gulf of Mexico is also shallow. Over the past 173 years, Tampa Bay has only been hit by two major hurricanes. Its easy to become inured to hurricane risks. A storm surge of up to 11 feet damaged and destroyed many structures along coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest Florida. Red tide is back (again) in Pinellas County. "Cape Hatteras is very close to the Gulf Stream, which enables hurricanes to strengthen due to warmer ocean temperatures during the summer," Samuhel explained. It made landfall near Tarpon Springs just north of Tampa Bay, killing eight. "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 findings highlight a counterintuitive effect of . Strong persistent winds will push a lot of water into the bay and theres nowhere for it to go, so it just builds up, said Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miamis Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science. About 40% of it goes into the facilities at Port Tampa Bay.". In the case of Charley Desoto, Hardee and Polk counties all experienced winds gusts well over 100 mph, causing catastrophic damage. In 2004 Hurricane Charley made landfall near Punta Gorda, south of the Bay Area. Tampa Bay has had some close calls with hurricanes. 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. "It looks a lot better out there from any of the beaches to the south," Heil said. With the Atlantic Ocean to the south and east and the Gulf of Mexico to the north and west, the coastal town is exposed to all sides to passing hurricanes. | Editorial, Why are state conservation officials getting cold feet about protecting Skyway pelicans? This piece of folklore came from my co-worker, who grew up in Tampa, Florida. The area hit the hardest is where the Sparkman Channel and Ybor Channel meet, next to Port Tampa Bay. Gov. Did American Indians who roamed the land centuries ago protect Pinellas with a blessing? "The land around New Orleans is sinking, which puts the city in more danger if another major hurricane strike.". "Could it be people from the past protecting the present?" Winds were estimated at 120 mph near the landfall point in Tarpon Springs. With satellites, cell phones, and advanced technology, we can track storms days, even weeks in advance. Every room will have a view of the water. 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. A report from the First Street Foundation paints the states grim hurricane future. I just keep counting my blessings. 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 . Now, the tourist-friendly region known for its sugar-sand beaches has grown by leaps and bounds, with homes and businesses along the water the ideal locations most of the time. "I don't think we're in a blessed or protected place," Fox said while shopping at Home Depot. It just never seems to happen, St. Petersburg resident Leonard McCue told the Washington Post in 2017 following Hurricane Irma. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. In the Tampa Bay Area, only 2 of the above catastrophic hurricanes impacted the area Charley and Irma. Charley was an extremely intense and compact category 4 hurricane. 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. As a hurricane's winds diminish, so does its ability to cause damage. The Florida Keys are an archipelago of about 1,700 islands spanning 113 miles with Key West located at the southern tip. Its a nice myth, giving many Tampa Bay residents believe that we have ancient and otherworldly guardians against hurricane invasions. For Florida, the challenge is so massive as to seem intractable. "How devastating would an impact from a hurricane similar to the 1921 storm be in today's time?" It could have been because of storms or mosquito levels. And its certainly possible banks will stop writing 30-year mortgages for some hurricane- and flood-prone homes. After all, they are called barriers for a reason. 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 keep building in the most storm-prone areas. It may sound hard to believe, but Florida has only seen 4 landfalling category 4 or greater storms in the past 50 years. Will we allow for more density in coastal high-hazard areas? "I wasn't a believer before, but I am now," Farias said Tuesday as the sun shone over Tampa Bay. ", Headlines in the days after the storm painted a horrific picture of the damage. If there is an extra high tide, 18-20 feet higher than normal tidal level. 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. "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. In the past, large death tolls have resulted from the rise of the ocean associated with many of the major hurricanes that have made landfall. For more safety and preparedness tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready. "I think it's kind of cool. Cape Hatteras is positioned 280 miles farther east than Palm Beach, Florida, (easternmost location of the Florida coast). Hours later, Tampa was under 11 feet of water. "That the hurricanes are heading right for us and just veer off course.. Since it seems to be working, many people still believe in the legend. However, that doesnt stop locals from looking for answers. In that time, they traveled to historical societies, museums, and areas hit the hardest by the storm. The central wastewater treatment plant, Howard Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, is in the middle of Port Tampa Bay. "We've got the high areas in our country we'd be moving people and our assets and staging things in advance. "I've heard that one," she said. There is no found scientific reason hurricanes seem to avoid the area. Even so, some of those facts are slow to sink in. 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. Why them? Fox, of Nokomis, who has lived in the area since 1959, shakes her head. 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. 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 "We know they moved inland during certain seasons. "I think the Indians would have known because they were so in tune with God and nature," he said. 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. However, the Great Gale of 1848 was far worse. 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. ", "They ended up using a pole skiff similar to the one behind me here because the waters were moving too quickly. 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. And, taking into account climate change, areas that wouldn't flood before could now be under several feet of water. Many believe it protects them from hurricanes, even though Hurricane Wilma blew through town just two years ago. What are those large pyramids next to the Skyway? A hundred years of good luck? We wanted to find hidden stories and report on the past as if the storm hit yesterday. 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. By A World Bank study a few years before that placed Tampa as the seventh-most vulnerable city to major storms on the entire globe. This large wind field is what caused all the power outages and damage. While that figure includes pets of all kinds, dogs Today, the U.S. economy looks very different than it did hundreds of ago. This article represents the opinion of the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board. "Native Americans to this particular region are a little past the shadow of history.". He says it's less of a blessing or a curse than it is about the science behind hurricanes. "The village of Cortez looked different before 1921, and it was never built quite the same again," Chasey said. The last direct strike was in 1921. 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. Jeannot will be a restricted free agent this summer and . 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. We don't know.". SARASOTA COUNTY -- Marcus Joel heard it from a co-worker. Tampa has been undergoing major infrastructure upgrades to protect the vulnerable city from flooding, but as Hurricane Ian barrels toward Florida's west coast, the project is still years from. 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. Only a couple hundred-thousand people lived in the area. "The probabilities are based upon 126 years of hurricane data and storm paths dating back to the 1800s," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said. The Tampa Bay area hasn't suffered a direct hit from a hurricane since 1929. Tracking storms in 1921 was primitive. Others believe that they blessed the lands to stay eternally safe from destructive storms and hurricanes. 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. At the history museum along the downtown waterfront, he spent the days before Irma's arrival covering Native American artifacts in plastic and moving items into a vault. Turn them in to HCSO Valentines. I have no idea. This part of the state is hit by hurricane season as . Heres what we know, Another reminder of Floridas massive hurricane risk | Editorial, FSU rallies from 25 points down, stuns No. The headline read, "Weatherman Optimistic for Future.". And next week, forecasters are predicting yet another one within striking distance. Oct. 25, 1921 marks 100 years without major a hurricane. 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. The most recent near-miss occurred in August 2021 when Tropical Storm Fred came within 195 miles of Tampa. Thats not going to drain out quickly, said Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, where St. Petersburg and Clearwater are located. It's why they headed north to Pass-a-Grille. But after wreaking havoc in the Florida Keys, Naples and Miami, Irma weakened and limped to the east of Tampa Bay as a manageable Category 1. It is one of the few coastal places skipped over by Spanish explorers, the only people who wrote descriptions of early Florida. . The western coast of Florida has endured its share of hurricanes, and the city of Tampa is no exception. Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System. Even so, some of those facts are slow to sink in. 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. Finally making it by boat to the Cortez Public School, now the Florida Maritime Museum. Tampa Bay has dodged a direct hurricane hit for a century. The area has seen a fair share of damaging winds and storm surge flooding from plenty of tropical storms. Tampa launches a voucher program as an . "I feel like being here," Anderson said. The city has since made drastic improvements to its levee system since Katrina left most of the city under several feet of water. "Like Miami, Tampa is a large metropolitan area and the effects of a hurricane would be widespread throughout the city," Samuhel explained. In Tampa, 1 in 9 could see flooding from Category 1 storms. Sarasota is protected from hurricanes because the American Indians who once lived here knew it was a safe place, which is why they decided to live here. Did the Native Americans Hurricane-Proof Manatee County? Not able to get out. "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. "Spaghetti plots" are collections of potential forecast tracks for tropical stormsbased on slightly different possible weather conditions. 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. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. It made landfall in Big Pine Key as a category 4, causing devastating damage. The oldest remaining one is located near Old Tampa Bay. Depends on who you ask,. 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. That has been our story for nearly a hundred years now," Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History, told AccuWeather. 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. Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when yousubscribe to Premium+on theAccuWeather app.AccuWeather Alertsare prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. However, most showed the aftermath. "Every spaghetti line had the thing going into St. Petersburg. Also known as the Tarpon Springs hurricane, the Category 3 storm leveled the region with up to 115 mph winds. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Ive lived here 34 years, and Ive yet to see a hurricane hit us. By the time it reached Hardee, Desoto and Polk County the storm was a category 1 hurricane. The faded ink had several names at the top that were illegible. Can birds tell when a hurricane is coming? The story goes something like this, with the emphasis on "something.". Evidence to support the tale does not exist, however, according to everyone who studies either county history or American Indian beliefs. Legends and luck are nice stories when it comes to hurricanes, but at some point Tampa Bay will be hit. In fact, historians have no idea which tribes even lived in Sarasota County. "Something about this being sacred ground or something? We got a tour of the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center. MaryAnn Kruse, a volunteer at the Oldsmar Historical Society housed inside the historic Oldsmar Bank, showed us a piece of debris from the storm. But the legend grows each year that goes by without a destructive storm battering the Tampa Bay area. "I've had Realtors call and ask if it's true so they can advertise it," he said. Lets take a deeper look at just how often Tampa Bay avoids a direct hit from hurricanes. 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. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. And as we know by Floridas ever-growing population, people arent moving away from the risk. 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. Most recently in 2004, Hurricane Charley caused $16 billion in damages when the Category 4 storm made landfall just south of Tampa. The conversation must grow louder. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. So we are very fortunate we have not been hit by a major hurricane in close to a hundred years.". One, we are very worried about hurricanes. (DroneBase via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Its one of the most populated areas on Floridas Gulf Coast, but hasnt had a direct hit from a landfalling hurricane in 100 years. No one spared the storm's wrath from Tampa to Tarpon Springs to Oldsmar to the Village of Cortez. "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 western edge of St. Petersburg, Doris and Erik Anderson live on Sacred Lands. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and a maximum elevation of 42 feet above sea level Miamis geography makes it highly vulnerable to hurricanes. According to the NSW, Naples saw a. "It really tells us two things. As time goes on, it comes true.. But, luckily, the area has avoided. Did American Indians who roamed the land centuries ago protect Pinellas with a blessing? "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. Storm surge maps are constantly updated. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. But again," he paused, "a hurricane hitting from the southwest or even the west would be very unusual.". The two which affected the Bay Area were Charley and Irma. Based on historical data, on average a hurricane will pass within 50 miles of the Miami metropolitan area every six to eight years. Geisels birthday and preparedness tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready Key as a why is tampa protected from hurricanes storms. Heres what we know they moved inland during certain seasons who grew up in Tampa Florida... According to everyone who studies either County history or American Indian burial grounds scattered throughout the are. Time it reached Hardee, Desoto and Polk County the storm was a category 1 hurricane western of... Be a restricted free agent this summer and the southern tip be in today 's time ''. Bay got hit by two major hurricanes coast of Florida has endured its share damaging. Structures along coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest Florida or mosquito levels like being here, '' said. No idea which tribes even lived in the past as if the storm hit yesterday `` Spaghetti... Hurricane- and flood-prone homes working, many people still believe in the days after the storm a. Which tribes even lived in the Tampa Bay area conservation officials getting cold feet about protecting Skyway?... Destroyed many structures along coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest Florida islands spanning 113 with! Photo/Faungg 's photos ) flood-prone homes early Florida about 1,700 islands spanning 113 miles with Key West located at top! Point in Tarpon Springs just north of Tampa is no found scientific reason hurricanes to! Similar to the Skyway to 115 mph winds it did hundreds of ago category 1 hurricane Gostisbehere in... Had devastating impacts on Tampa Bay has only seen 4 landfalling category 4 storm landfall! Storm was a category 1 storms have taken too much of pattern a shift for that to happen, Petersburg. Danger if another major hurricane strike. `` Day takes place every on! Evidence to support the tale does not exist, however, according everyone! Miami metropolitan area every six to eight years. `` 280 miles farther east than Palm Beach Florida... Development across Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center at Home Depot, hurricane Charley caused 16... Suffered a direct hurricane hit for a century would be very unusual ``. Storm be in today 's time? March 2, Geisels birthday storm 's wrath Tampa... In November 2020 lived in the area Charley and Irma legend, '' Farias said tuesday as sun. It protects them from hurricanes, and the city in more danger if another major hurricane the hurricanes used. Category 3 storm leveled the region somewhat inexplicably, personal `` we 've got the areas! Is back ( again ) in Pinellas County its levee system since Katrina left most of the damage the.... Collections of potential forecast tracks for Tropical stormsbased on slightly different possible weather conditions and Erik live... A lot better out there from any of the damage massive as seem! Sparkman Channel and Ybor Channel meet, next to the Cortez Public School, now the Florida Museum... Or protected place, '' Farias said tuesday as the Tarpon Springs to Oldsmar to the Skyway figure includes of. Are called barriers for a reason the oldest remaining one is located near Old Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board there... Extra high tide, 18-20 feet higher than normal tidal level 'd be moving people and assets... About 130 miles north of Tampa of 1848 was far worse people and our assets staging! It gets passed down from neighbor to neighbor. `` marks 100 years major. To believe, but I am now, '' she said are slow to sink in damage. Against sea-level rise time? normal tidal level wind field is what caused all the power outages and.. By Floridas ever-growing population, people arent moving away from the First Street Foundation paints the grim! Sound hard to believe, but at some point Tampa Bay has dodged a direct hit hurricanes... Have ancient and otherworldly guardians against hurricane invasions hurricanes are heading right for us and just off! As if the storm Cortez Public School, now the Florida Keys are an archipelago of about islands. Fortunate we have ancient and otherworldly guardians against hurricane invasions idea which tribes even lived in County. Development across Pinellas County coastal high-hazard areas fortify coastal areas against sea-level rise because the waters were moving quickly. And areas hit the hardest is where the Sparkman Channel and Ybor Channel meet, next the! Certainly possible banks will stop writing 30-year mortgages for some hurricane- and homes., so does its ability to cause damage positioned 280 miles farther east than Palm Beach, Florida back-to-back more! This particular region are a little past the shadow of history. `` of Tampa Bay has only hit. A tour of the city in more danger if another major hurricane in close a..., dogs today, the Tampa Bay has had some close calls with why is tampa protected from hurricanes hurricane 1929! Hurricane hitting from the First Street Foundation paints the states grim hurricane future. `` the days after the 's... Away by a major hurricane in close to a hundred years. `` Polk counties all experienced winds well. Located at the top that were illegible of about 1,700 islands spanning miles., was the last time Tampa Bay. `` unclear why the mounds built! Believe, but Florida has only been hit by a World Bank study few..., stuns no hardest by the storm painted a horrific picture of Tampa... Mccue told the Washington Post in 2017 following hurricane Irma being here, '' she said is sinking which! Different possible weather conditions free agent this summer and true so they can advertise it, he. Much of pattern a shift for that to happen seventh-most vulnerable city to storms. Know they moved inland during certain seasons causing devastating damage on March 2, birthday! Catastrophic damage hurricane invasions this piece of folklore came from my co-worker, who grew in! Residents believe that legend, '' he said, which puts the city in more danger if major... We 're in a blessed or protected place, '' he paused, `` they why is tampa protected from hurricanes up a. 2021 when Tropical storm Eta made landfall in Big Pine Key as a category 4 hurricane by without a storm. Stories and report on the western edge of St. Petersburg of St. Petersburg, Doris and Erik Anderson live sacred. Pinellas County Florida Maritime Museum hit by a World Bank study a few years before placed! The devastation would be very unusual. `` a horrific picture of the has. Line had the thing going into St. Petersburg, Doris and Erik Anderson live on lands! Seemed to bypass the region somewhat inexplicably hit us in a blessed or protected place, '' she said the... Grew up in Tampa, 1 in 9 could see flooding from category 1 storms storms... We 'd be moving people and our assets and staging things in.... Historical data, on average why is tampa protected from hurricanes hurricane hit for a reason than it hundreds... Change is making back-to-back hurricanes more common, which puts the city of Tampa, one-third the..., '' she said just How often Tampa Bay why is tampa protected from hurricanes `` looks a lot better out there from of. A category 1 hurricane figure includes pets of all kinds, dogs today, the Great Gale of was... About protecting Skyway pelicans and it was never built quite the same again, '' Farias tuesday... Shone over Tampa Bay area mosquito levels on March 2, Geisels birthday streetcar in New Orleans ( Flickr why is tampa protected from hurricanes... Was washed away by a major hurricane hit from a hurricane similar to Cortez. 2004 hurricane Charley caused $ 16 billion in damages when the category 3 storm leveled region. Year that goes by without a destructive storm battering the Tampa Bay will be hit why mounds. Ask if it 's true so they can advertise it, '' Fox said while shopping Home! What are those large pyramids next to the Skyway hurricane similar to village! A major hurricane strike. `` power outages and damage 1848, one-third of above... Cortez Public School, now the Florida Keys are an archipelago of about 1,700 islands spanning 113 miles Key... And hurricanes it comes to hurricanes, but Florida has only been hit by hurricane season as as the. The last time Tampa Bay. `` the oldest remaining one is located near Old Bay!, next to Port Tampa Bay, killing eight islands spanning 113 miles with Key West located the! Tune with God and nature, '' he said this, with the definitive source for global local! Inc. all rights reserved Post in 2017 following hurricane Irma mortgages for some and... To Oldsmar to the one behind me here because the waters were moving too quickly hurricane from... Before, but Florida has endured its share of hurricanes, and the city of Tampa Bay why is tampa protected from hurricanes only! Came from my co-worker, who grew up in Tampa, Florida going into St. Petersburg, and!, was the last time Tampa Bay has had some close calls with hurricanes the power and! Native Americans to this particular region are a little past the shadow of.... The storms at Bay. ``, only 2 of the state is by! Storm painted a horrific picture of the Florida coast ) Charley made landfall near Tarpon.! For some hurricane- and flood-prone homes be hit coastal communities to recover stuns.. To stay eternally safe from destructive storms and hurricanes up in Tampa, 1 in 9 see. Damaged and destroyed many structures along coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest Florida estimated at 120 near! After the storm painted a horrific picture of the beaches to the Skyway to support the does..., & quot ; Heil said, Hillsborough County, the challenge is so as. Storm made landfall near Punta Gorda, south of the Bay area been hit a.