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. Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest. "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.". If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. The likelihood of storms making a direct hit on the Gulf Coast increases in September and even more in October, during the second half of the hurricane season, when cooler air moves south, and jet-stream winds, which blow around the Earth from east to west, take storm systems with them. Its almost like when a myth becomes history, Farias said. But many still believe the blessing protects us. 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. "Typically, when tropical systems get caught in the jet stream off the East Coast of the U.S., they tend to curve out to sea, but because of the location of Hatteras, hurricanes tend to clip that region before affecting anywhere else on the East Coast.". In fact, historians have no idea which tribes even lived in Sarasota County. Everything underwater, massive flooding," Dr. Luther said. 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. And two, we wonder why we're lucky.". "I don't know if I believe that legend," she said. That has been our story for nearly a hundred years now," Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History, told AccuWeather. "I do believe in the power of God.". In this aerial image, the city of Tampa, Fla., is seen Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. 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In the case of Charley Desoto, Hardee and Polk counties all experienced winds gusts well over 100 mph, causing catastrophic damage. Lisa Parker draws a blank when asked where she heard it, but she knows she did. TAMPA, Fla The National Weather Service (NSW) provided preliminary surge and reverse surge measurements Thursday morning in the wake of then-Hurricane Ian. 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. It is one of the few coastal places skipped over by Spanish explorers, the only people who wrote descriptions of early Florida. The headline read, "Weatherman Optimistic for Future.". Most storms move south to north and south of Tampa is Marco Island," which is where Irma made landfall. If it has anything to do with Indians and hurricanes, it's not true. 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. "But it was still a hurricane and caused lots of damage.". Neighbors rescued them. Paluska asked. Others believe that they blessed the lands to stay eternally safe from destructive storms and hurricanes. It was so tightly wound that many likened it to a giant tornado, causing buzz saw damage along its path. Many people think the mounds could be providing supernatural protection from hurricanes," a recent article by AccuWeather said. In any given year, there are some U.S. cities that are at higher risk than others to experience the impacts of a 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. "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 (1.5 and 3. 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 photos were taken during the event. In Tampa, 1 in 9 could see flooding from Category 1 storms. The evacuations could affect 300,000 people or more in Hillsborough County alone. Some estimates are as much as 15 feet of storm surge. This includes the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane which was remembered as one of the most intense U.S. hurricanes based on pressure and maximum wind speeds," Samuhel said. The area has seen a fair share of damaging winds and storm surge flooding from plenty of tropical storms. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Will we allow for more density in coastal high-hazard areas? 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. Today, that number is almost 395,000. "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. 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. Even so, some of those facts are slow to sink in. 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. "Every spaghetti line had the thing going into St. Petersburg. Hurricane Irma hit Tampa Bay at a Category 1 storm when once forecasted as a Category 5. Breathing issues are possible at some beaches. How much should we rebuild on barrier islands? It was a formidable storm, but nowhere near as strong as it could have been. Lisa Sinatra, an assistant principal at Dixie Hollins High who helped out at the shelter at St. Petersburg High, also put her faith in the legend. And its certainly possible banks will stop writing 30-year mortgages for some hurricane- and flood-prone homes. TAMPA, Fla. Tuesday, October 25, 1921, was the last time Tampa Bay got hit by a major hurricane. 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. But the population was not unusually high. Storm Team 8s Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli explained. The western coast of Florida has endured its share of hurricanes, and the city of Tampa is no exception. For Florida, the challenge is so massive as to seem intractable. Thats unlikely to change anytime soon. 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. Hurricane Easy in 1950 produced 38.70 inches of rain in Yankeetown within 24 hours. This is no joke. "I've heard that one," she said. "I think the Indians would have known because they were so in tune with God and nature," he said. Local legend has it that mounds built by the Tocobaga tribe hundreds of years ago, protected the area from major storms for centuries. How to avoid the potentially deadly grip of a rip current. 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 adjacent Gulf of Mexico is also shallow. 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. 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. We asked. Was Florida red tide made worse by Hurricane Ian? Historians pinpoint the very 'worst year' ever to be alive, Drone footage shows spectacular view of ghost town frozen in time, 'Once-in-a-lifetime' moment caught on video by kayaker. There are two version of the Native American folklore: either the knowledge that Sarasota was a safe haven was passed through generations of Native peoples or their burials places provided the protection from hurricanes. "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. 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. But millions of people love living near Floridas beaches and turquoise waters. 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. Turn them in to HCSO Valentines. 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" Editorials are the institutional voice of the Tampa Bay Times. 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. Because the system was so tight, it was able to remain intense far inland, even into southern and eastern portions of the Bay Area. 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. It just never seems to happen, St. Petersburg resident Leonard McCue told the Washington Post in 2017 following Hurricane Irma. We havent done enough to fortify coastal areas against sea-level rise. They can come from a group of models or one ensemble model that creates multiple possible storm tracks. Its easy to scream retreat! but most Florida residents live within 20 miles of the coast. If there is an extra high tide, 18-20 feet higher than normal tidal level. "I like to believe those things are true," Farias mused. 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. Over the past century, there have been several close calls. So we are very fortunate we have not been hit by a major hurricane in close to a hundred years.". 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. With satellites, cell phones, and advanced technology, we can track storms days, even weeks in advance. What are those large pyramids next to the Skyway? Hurricane Ian could threaten all of that development. "We know they moved inland during certain seasons. ", On October 27, 1921, a report in the Tampa Daily Times predicted the 100-year streak of good luck that followed. Even if the hurricane makes . Tampa Skyline (Flickr Photo/Sonny Side Up!). It was so strong that it caused damage to coastal structures which were miles away from Pasco County south through southwest Florida and even destroyed ships smashing them against docks after pulling them off their moorings. The 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. *Those of us in school in Tampa remember it with dread and fondness. Meaning anyone north of Miami did not bear the brunt of the storm. Weve made it through another major that was supposed to come right at us. 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. 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. 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. 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. Ron DeSantis took note of the regions vulnerability in a Monday afternoon news conference in Largo, Florida. A safe haven for so many families caught off guard by the winds and surge. Thats not going to drain out quickly, said Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, where St. Petersburg and Clearwater are located. "I wasn't a believer before, but I am now," Farias said Tuesday as the sun shone over Tampa Bay. The mounds were used as temples, homes and burial grounds. It's a connection she believes is the reason why Tampa Bay hasn't seen a direct Hurricane hit since 1989. "It would be catastrophic. The most prominent story has to do with American Indians. In 2021, over $100 billion was spent on the pet industry in the U.S. alone. A storm surge of up to 11 feet damaged and destroyed many structures along coastal locations from Pasco County south through southwest Florida. The Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection at the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative contained the most pictures of the storm. "The surge would likely be higher. A family was rushing to higher ground as the storm surge came in. 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. One in 9 could see 3 feet or more of storm surge a level forecasters call deadly. The findings highlight a counterintuitive effect of . Did American Indians who roamed the land centuries ago protect Pinellas with a blessing? 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.. And while the area has been hit by multiple damaging storms since then, Tampa Bay has somehow avoided the big one. 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. Hurricanes are a fact of life in Florida. VIDEO: Man casually rides jet ski near Sarasota as Hurricane Ian moves in. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. One, we are very worried about hurricanes. So, for everyone watching this report or reading this article, whether you believe in jinxes, superstitions, curses or the supernatural, do us a favor and knock on some wood for good luck. Yet for years storms seemed to bypass the region somewhat inexplicably. By the time it reached Hardee, Desoto and Polk County the storm was a category 1 hurricane. "I think it's kind of cool. The Tocobaga people are the land ancestors of Tampa Bay. Its easy to become inured to hurricane risks. Tampa launches a voucher program as an . 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 Tampa Bay area hasn't suffered a direct hit from a hurricane since 1929. Tampa Bay is shallow and many low-lying neighborhoods get flooded during a strong rainstorm. But it was damaged to varying degrees by hurricanes in 1926, 1944 and 1950, as well as Donna in 1960 and Charley in 2004. Here are some major hurricanes the past 60 years that have just avoided us: In 2004 alone, there were FOUR hurricanes set to hit the area. The Gulf of Mexico is a warm body of water that is a breeding ground for hurricanes. Also known as the Tarpon Springs hurricane, the Category 3 storm leveled the region with up to 115 mph winds. Kevin France, AccuWeather staff writer. 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. 2023 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved. We were all prepared for the worst and in the last second it turned.". Fox 13 reports that Tampa Bay residents are preparing for Hurricane Ian, a category 3 storm that could be catastrophic. "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. Just how vulnerable? Only a couple hundred-thousand people lived in the area. 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 . The oldest remaining one is located near Old Tampa Bay. Another reminder of Floridas massive hurricane risk | Editorial. Some people believe American Indians here blessed the land to protect from hurricanes. 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. 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