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. "If and when Tampa is hit by a hurricane from the southwest, it wont take much of a hurricane to cause severe and catastrophic damage due to storm surge. However, only a few have survived the development the area has undergone in modern times. "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.". SARASOTA COUNTY -- Marcus Joel heard it from a co-worker. While railroad stocks dominated in the 19th century, industries within technology A new 92-room waterfront hotel is scheduled to open this summer on Tampa Bay. 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. Also lurking in the waves and wind are the impacts of climate change and the higher sea levels scientists say it is causing. The Gulf of Mexico is a warm body of water that is a breeding ground for hurricanes. On certain days, the park opens for public tours. I think were in the perfect spot, Bonita Bay resident Chris Williams told the Post. Hurricane-force winds can destroy mobile homes and buildings. 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. A hundred years of good luck? In Pinellas County, home to nearly 1 million people and bordered almost entirely by water, 1 in 5 built properties is at risk of flooding from Category 1 hurricanes. The last time Tampa Bay was hit by a major storm was Oct. 25, 1921. On October 25, 1921, the Tampa Bay Area suffered the most destructive hurricane to hit the area since the 1800s. 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. 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. Over the past century, there have been several close calls. "On the Port Resiliency Index, developed by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the Port scored 95%.". Tampa Bay has had some close calls with hurricanes. Central Florida. 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 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. This causes the hurricane to become downgraded as it moves inland. In that time, they traveled to historical societies, museums, and areas hit the hardest by the storm. 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. Cape Hatteras is positioned 280 miles farther east than Palm Beach, Florida, (easternmost location of the Florida coast). Or, the ancient American Indian burial grounds scattered throughout the county are keeping the storms at bay. "The Spaniards called them gentle giants and said they were. 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. manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. The story goes something like this, with the emphasis on "something.". That was the 1921 Tampa Bay Hurricane. "I've had Realtors call and ask if it's true so they can advertise it," he said. 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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. Paluska asked Dr. Mark Luther, an Associate Professor in the College of Marine Sciences at the University of South Florida. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. "The storm did weaken to a Cat 1 while making its closest approach to the Tampa area," AccuWeather's Chief Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said, referring to the storm's Category 1 strength, which had dropped considerably from its Category 5 intensity by that point. A safe haven for so many families caught off guard by the winds and surge. 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. The Tampa Bay History Center is built on top of the fort's infirmary. In fact, historians have no idea which tribes even lived in Sarasota County. 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. The 1921 storm sent a storm surge all the way into downtown Tampa into Ybor. The storm surge pushed a wall of water inland, with waves from the bay almost breaking in the streets of Ybor City. 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. We keep building in the most storm-prone areas. The conversation must grow louder. On the western edge of St. Petersburg, Doris and Erik Anderson live on Sacred Lands. 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. So we are very fortunate we have not been hit by a major hurricane in close to a hundred years.". 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. I have no idea. The others from the hazards of the fallen debris like live wires. Did the Native Americans Hurricane-Proof Manatee County? But it wasn't a catastrophic hit, and thus belief in something otherworldy protecting the area from a hurricane's worst wrath persists. But the legend grows each year that goes by without a destructive storm battering the Tampa Bay area. The popular refrain in you hear in Tampa Bay is that the area has not been directly hit by a major hurricane in over 100 years. But it was damaged to varying degrees by hurricanes in 1926, 1944 and 1950, as well as Donna in 1960 and Charley in 2004. Paluska and ABC Action News photographer Reed Moeller worked on this report for several weeks. The gap in knowledge is likely part of what keeps the myth in circulation, said Uzi Baram, associate professor of anthropology at New College in Sarasota. Hurricane Katrina (2005) is a prime example of the damage and devastation that can be caused by surge. Hurricane Ian could threaten all of that development. Storm surge maps are constantly updated. Was Florida red tide made worse by Hurricane Ian? About 40% of it goes into the facilities at Port Tampa Bay.". Even so, some of those facts are slow to sink in. The third strike against the myth: If the American Indians did believe Sarasota was protected, more of them might have lived here. Editorials are the institutional voice of the Tampa Bay Times. That has been our story for nearly a hundred years now," Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History, told AccuWeather. However, most showed the aftermath. 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. Unfortunately, where the hurricane of 1921 hit just north of Tampa Bay was a worst-case scenario. We got a tour of the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center. Regardless of luck, hurricane mythology is popular in other places, too. "Every spaghetti line had the thing going into St. Petersburg. Can we build even stronger buildings, and should we? The central wastewater treatment plant, Howard Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, is in the middle of Port Tampa Bay. 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However, that doesnt stop locals from looking for answers. 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. These include high winds, heavy rains, a storm surge, and tornadoes. "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. Hurricane Gladys produced 100 mph winds in Clearwater. 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 of us in school in Tampa remember it with dread and fondness. | Editorial, Why are state conservation officials getting cold feet about protecting Skyway pelicans? Although a major hurricane is long overdue in Miami, the city has dealt with its share of intense hurricanes in the past. By the time it reached Hardee, Desoto and Polk County the storm was a category 1 hurricane. Its no wonder that actuaries get cross-eyed looking at Floridas property insurance risk. "Their value, however, is that, in the short term, they usually show a 'path' of likely tracks for tropical storms, giving residents of those areas within the path more time to prepare.". The storm caused roughly $5 million in damage at the time. All of these hurricanes would have had devastating impacts on Tampa Bay but veered off course and missed. The mounds were used as temples, homes and burial grounds. 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. Calusa Protective Spell-Tampa. "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. No one spared the storm's wrath from Tampa to Tarpon Springs to Oldsmar to the Village of Cortez. "We know they moved inland during certain seasons. There is no found scientific reason hurricanes seem to avoid the area. Why here? Where would everyone go? 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. It derailed the railroad in that area which was obviously a significant impact to travel commerce and people coming into the area. A storm surge of up to 11 feet damaged and destroyed many structures along coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest Florida. For more safety and preparedness tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready. Since it seems to be working, many people still believe in the legend. 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 petroleum facilities would be out of business for days at a time. Many people think the mounds could be providing supernatural protection from hurricanes," a recent article by AccuWeather said. Oct. 25, 1921 marks 100 years without major a hurricane. 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." Tampa Skyline (Flickr Photo/Sonny Side Up!). Top 5 US cities most vulnerable to hurricanes. This is vividly illustrated below in category 5 Hurricane Andrew, in which the most intense winds were confined to the eyewall near Homestead, Kendall and Coral Gables, a fair distance south of Miami and very far south of Ft Lauderdale. Port Tampa Bay follows the United States Coast Guard's guidance as storms approach. "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. 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. The adjacent Gulf of Mexico is also shallow. They also make sure the petroleum tanks themselves are at least halfway full. It was so tightly wound that many likened it to a giant tornado, causing buzz saw damage along its path. "I like to believe those things are true," Farias mused. When asked about a myth spreading around town, county archaeologist Dan Hughes jumped in: "Let me guess. Eight people were killed when the storm hit the seaside town with 120 mph. In Tampa, 1 in 9 could see flooding from Category 1 storms. One gives credit to nature's fortunate placement of dunes off the coast. "It really tells us two things. Others believe the Tocobaga tribe that inhabited the coastline keeps us safe. "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. Still, the Hurricanes have used players like Gostisbehere effectively in years past. ", Joel, however, is less skeptical. The Predators will receive: Jeannot, 25, comes to Tampa Bay as he finishes up a two-year contract that carries an $800K average annual value. The bottom line is, most people who live in the state have never experienced the full wrath of major hurricane. "Cape Hatteras is very close to the Gulf Stream, which enables hurricanes to strengthen due to warmer ocean temperatures during the summer," Samuhel explained. Many of the other cities in the region have experienced similar explosive growth. Thats not going to drain out quickly, said Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, where St. Petersburg and Clearwater are located. This article represents the opinion of the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board. Heres what we know. Finally making it by boat to the Cortez Public School, now the Florida Maritime Museum. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. "That'll be good," LaMarre said. I keep my fingers crossed all hurricane season," Dr. Luther said. The Saffir Simpson hurricane scale categorizes these storms as catastrophic damage producers. It made landfall near Tarpon Springs just north of Tampa Bay, killing eight. The Post, in fact, found that people are moving to counties categorized as high risk for hurricane-force winds at six times the rate of other counties. Those Tocobagan mounds can only hold back so many storms. The area has seen a fair share of damaging winds and storm surge flooding from plenty of tropical storms. And, that is how they came straight up the streets of Cortez to this very schoolhouse we are standing in right now.". A number of other explanations for the relative safety have surfaced, most of them questionable. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, FL Strawberry Festival prepares for big crowds, new, IRB leaders concerned over short-term rental debate, LIVE: NASA, SpaceX to launch Crew-6 from FL to ISS, Scientists report finding 5K black holes, more, Pro-Am race aims to raise funds for concussion research, Pinellas murder victims parents make plea for help, Cleanup continues after Manatee Co. train derailment, Lightning make roster moves ahead of NHL trade deadline, Teens death leads to safety changes in Pinellas, 2022 Hurricane Guide: Prepare your family before a storm, Volunteers help veteran trying to feed homeless, City of Tampa removes speed hump in front of mans, Trustees eliminate diversity office at New College, More than 4K complaints filed against insurers after, Bank accounts frozen years ago finally released to, Cyber criminals increasingly targeting hospitals, Top NFL draft prospect charged in fatal crash, Buccaneers to release veteran running back, Death of former star swimmer under police investigation, Penguins score 6 in 2nd period, beat Lightning 7-3, Jake Paul takes first boxing defeat by split decision, Turning 50? "Thank goodness for the Tocobagans is all I have to say.". Not able to get out. However, legend has passed down from Tampa resident to Tampa resident whatever the mounds were for, they somehow offer protection from hurricanes. In this aerial image, the city of Tampa, Fla., is seen Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. These catastrophic storms were Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Hurricane Charley in 2004, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Michael in 2018. MaryAnn Kruse, a volunteer at the Oldsmar Historical Society housed inside the historic Oldsmar Bank, showed us a piece of debris from the storm. It 's true so they can advertise it, '' Farias mused Hatteras positioned! At Floridas property insurance risk Bay area mythology is popular in other places,.. 95 %. `` 's worst wrath persists follows the United States coast guard 's as. %. `` time Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board as temples, homes and grounds..., however, that doesnt stop locals from looking for answers the College of Marine at... 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