why is tampa protected from hurricanes

That has been our story for nearly a hundred years now," Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History, told AccuWeather. "Thank goodness for the Tocobagans is all I have to say.". This is no joke. 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. Many people think the mounds could be providing supernatural protection from hurricanes," a recent article by AccuWeather said. "I think it's kind of cool. ", Joel, however, is less skeptical. Like Tampa, The Big Easy has an 11 percent chance of experiencing the impact of a hurricane in an average year. A World Bank study a few years before that placed Tampa as the seventh-most vulnerable city to major storms on the entire globe. There are urban legends that the Sunshine Skyway protects Tampa Bay. On Nov. 14, 1993, during Founder's Day she talked about her memories of the storm. The two which affected the Bay Area were Charley and Irma. The highest storm surge was in the downtown Tampa and Tarpon Springs areas. Because the system was so tight, it was able to remain intense far inland, even into southern and eastern portions of the Bay Area. By Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System. Not able to get out. HURRICANE IRMA: Find all of our coverage here. She stocked up on hurricane supplies and is planning to put shutters on her house. ", Ybor City Tampa Bay, Florida, on Jan. 19, 2019. 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. Waves from the Bay almost reached the streets of Ybor City. On October 25, 1921, the Tampa Bay Area suffered the most destructive hurricane to hit the area since the 1800s. "Every spaghetti line had the thing going into St. Petersburg. Sarasota has not been a bull's-eye for a major hurricane since reliable records began in 1871. "It gets passed down from neighbor to neighbor.". The storms are coming. A family was rushing to higher ground as the storm surge came in. There are red flags everywhere: Many of our most densely populated communities are adjacent to the ocean or the gulf. Where would everyone go? In the Tampa Bay Area, only 2 of the above catastrophic hurricanes impacted the area - Charley and Irma. Tampa Bay is shallow and many low-lying neighborhoods get flooded during a strong rainstorm. On October 25, 1921, the Tampa Bay Area suffered the most destructive hurricane to hit the area since the 1800s. Those figures are based on a Tampa . But, luckily, the area has avoided a major landfalling hurricane for nearly a hundred years. By 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. One gives credit to nature's fortunate placement of dunes off the coast. Many people think the mounds could be providing supernatural protection from hurricanes. There are red flags everywhere: Many of our most densely populated communities are adjacent to the ocean . Or, the ancient American Indian burial grounds scattered throughout the county are keeping the storms at bay. 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. 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Most recently in 2004, Hurricane Charley caused $16 billion in damages when the Category 4 storm made landfall just south of Tampa. And it could be bad. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. In 1848, one-third of the famous mound was washed away by a hurricane. One, we are very worried about hurricanes. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Port Tampa Bay follows the United States Coast Guard's guidance as storms approach. "I love that story.". "I've heard that one," she said. 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. 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However, legend has passed down from Tampa resident to Tampa resident whatever the mounds were for, they somehow offer protection from hurricanes. "Tampa Bay is very surge-prone because of its orientation." The National Hurricane Center is predicting storm surge in Tampa Bay and surrounding waters of between 5 and 10 feet above normal. However, only a few have survived the development the area has undergone in modern times. Its unclear why the mounds were built, although many believe they were for burials. However, only a few have survived the development the area has undergone in modern times. The city hasnt suffered a direct hit by a strong hurricane since the 1921 Tampa Bay Hurricane, the first major hurricane to hit the city, but 68 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed within 60 miles of the city according to Hurricane City. More than 40% of St. Petersburg is in the coastal high-hazard area. On the western edge of St. Petersburg, Doris and Erik Anderson live on Sacred Lands. Large burial mounds remaining from Tocobaga civilization are still present today, with the oldest one located overlooking Old Tampa Bay. The findings highlight a counterintuitive effect of . 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 explained that Irma "was a Cat 1 when it passed just east ofdowntown Tampa with a tropical-storm-force wind field of over 300 miles. The main ingredients for fertilizer. 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. Hurricane Ian could threaten all of that development. Thats unlikely to change anytime soon. Hurricane Irma is the most recent in 2017. Its almost like when a myth becomes history, Farias said. This map shows hurricanes that have passed with 100 miles of St. Petersburg, Florida since 1960. 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. 13 Miami, Why would Florida Republicans want to name a road after Rush Limbaugh? Those Tocobagan mounds can only hold back so many storms. What are those large pyramids next to the Skyway? A picture hangs in the museum showing boats outside the brick schoolhouse. Hurricane Irma is the most recent in 2017. I don't buy it.". Is Tampa Safe from Hurricanes? Charley was an extremely intense and compact category 4 hurricane. Some estimates are as much as 15 feet of storm surge. What are those large pyramids next to the Skyway? Can birds tell when a hurricane is coming? Or is there a supernatural force protecting us? Tampa is also located on the coast, which makes it vulnerable to the storm surge that can accompany a hurricane. 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. With climate change and sea-level rise, Dr. Luther says a storm similar to the 1921 hurricane would be even worse. 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. A myth has grown over the last century that Native American mounds are protecting the Tampa Bay area from major hurricanes. "The Port of Tampa would have lots of water in it. A hundred years of good luck? 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. Officials in the area began issuing evacuation orders Monday for a wide swath of Tampa, with the St. Petersburg area soon to follow. Although the timeline is somewhat unclear, the tribe had been completely wiped out some time before 1800. It derailed the railroad in that area which was obviously a significant impact to travel commerce and people coming into the area. There is no found scientific reason hurricanes seem to avoid the area. For more safety and preparedness tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready. "The Spaniards called them gentle giants and said they were. The petroleum facilities would be out of business for days at a time. Tampa Skyline (Flickr Photo/Sonny Side Up!). Every room will have a view of the water. Even still, a slight irritation in the throat is something he and . 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. Unlock AccuWeather Alerts with Premium+, "When you plot all the possible tracks of storms from these forecast models, it can look like spaghetti if the forecast goes out too far hence the name "spaghetti plots," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jesse Ferrell said. Since it seems to be working, many people still believe in the legend. 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. Storm survivor Ethel Swanson was 7-years-old when the storm hit. MaryAnn Kruse, a volunteer at the Oldsmar Historical Society housed inside the historic Oldsmar Bank, showed us a piece of debris from the storm. 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. "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.". Neighbors rescued them. 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. 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. Even if the hurricane makes . It's 11-foot storm surge flooded downtown Tampa and turned St. Petersburg into an. Tampa Bay has had some close calls with hurricanes. 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 adjacent Gulf of Mexico is also shallow. "As time goes on, it comes true.". 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. "Something about this being sacred ground or something? And while the area has been hit by multiple damaging storms since then, Tampa Bay has somehow avoided the big one. We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Local legend has it that mounds built by the Tocobaga tribe hundreds of years ago, protected the area from major storms for centuries. The 1921 storm sent a storm surge all the way into downtown Tampa into Ybor. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Tampa Bay didn't come out of the storm largely unscathed because of Native American rituals and a Caribbean land configuration that amounts to a blockade against hurricanes, scientists said.. Tocobagan Indian Mounds have been found in Safety Harbor and near the Gandy. Officially the storm remained a major hurricane into Polk County, but was weakening as it moved northeast towards Orlando. We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Its no wonder that actuaries get cross-eyed looking at Floridas property insurance risk. Also lurking in the waves and wind are the impacts of climate change and the higher sea levels scientists say it is causing. Even so, some of those facts are slow to sink in. "We know they moved inland during certain seasons. Winds were estimated at 120 mph near the landfall point in Tarpon Springs. Hurricane-force winds can destroy mobile homes and buildings. Hurricane Easy in 1950 produced 38.70 inches of rain in Yankeetown within 24 hours. 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. Thats because the worst of the winds and surge in a hurricane are often confined to a very small radius around the center of the storm. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 shined the light on how devastating a tropical system can be for the city of New Orleans. Over the past 173 years, Tampa Bay has only been hit by two major hurricanes. The mounds were used as temples, homes and burial grounds. Im convinced that geographically were incapable of being hit with a storm. 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. These catastrophic storms were Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Hurricane Charley in 2004, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Michael in 2018. A myth has grown over the last century that Native American mounds are protecting the Tampa Bay area from major hurricanes. Not since the Tarpon Springs hurricane struck the region in 1921 has Tampa Bay been directly hit by a major storm. But, luckily, the area has avoided. Is Tampa protected from hurricanes? "The Mississippi River is almost 30 feet above the city level just to put in perspective of how low New Orleans is in terms of elevation," Samuhel said. "It really tells us two things. 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 most recent near-miss occurred in August 2021 when Tropical Storm Fred came within 195 miles of Tampa. "The signature storm for the West Coast of Florida, especially the Tampa Bay area, is the October 25, 1921 storm. Many of the 347,645 people living. He says it's less of a blessing or a curse than it is about the science behind hurricanes. Others believe that they blessed the lands to stay eternally safe from destructive storms and hurricanes. Sept. 27, 2022. Just how vulnerable? Dr. Luther said there are also chemicals for the phosphate industry and refined ammonium stored at the port. In this aerial image, the city of Tampa, Fla., is seen Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. 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). The story goes something like this, with the emphasis on "something.". Built in 1922, residents are known to line up there to pray. "I feel like being here," Anderson said. With satellites, cell phones, and advanced technology, we can track storms days, even weeks in advance. It's why they headed north to Pass-a-Grille. Eight people were killed when the storm hit the seaside town with 120 mph winds. Ron DeSantis took note of the regions vulnerability in a Monday afternoon news conference in Largo, Florida. Fox, of Nokomis, who has lived in the area since 1959, shakes her head. The Tampa-St. Petersburg area has an 11 percent chance of feeling the impacts of a hurricane in any given year. We spent hours at the John F. Germany Public Library in downtown Tampa combing through newspapers on microfilm. Even so, some of those facts are slow to sink in. This causes the hurricane to become downgraded as it moves inland. "I told you about that blessing.". Another, to the magic powers of Siesta Key's white sand beaches and underwater crystals. How much should we rebuild on barrier islands? 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. 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 . 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This part of the state is hit by hurricane season as . ", Kottlowski said a direct hitoccurs when a hurricane "passes to within a distance equal to the cyclone's radius of maximum wind," which for Hurricane Irma at that stage was 23 miles. The 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. "Could it be people from the past protecting the present?" Did American Indians who roamed the land centuries ago protect Pinellas with a blessing? 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. Hundreds of years before them, so did the Tocobagan tribe, which built mounds along the Pinellas peninsula. 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. On Sundays, the park opens for public tours. It made landfall near Tarpon Springs just north of Tampa Bay, killing eight. While many people who have lived in Florida for a while believe they have experienced a truly catastrophic hurricane, few have. Many of the other cities in the region have experienced similar explosive growth. And a twist. Some people believe American Indians here blessed the land to protect from hurricanes. "The probabilities are based upon 126 years of hurricane data and storm paths dating back to the 1800s," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said. Nevertheless it managed to produce extensive damage and power outages. The Tampa Bay History Center is built on top of the fort's infirmary. Strong rainstorm told you about that blessing. `` coverage here, 2022 known to line up there to.! Present today, with the oldest one located overlooking Old Tampa Bay area from major storms for centuries comes... Light on how devastating a tropical system can be for the city of New Orleans can! Largo, Florida area which was obviously a significant impact to travel commerce and people into! A Monday afternoon news conference in Largo, Florida, especially the Tampa Bay history Center is on. Scripps Media, Inc. all rights reserved fortunate placement of dunes off the coast, which it. Land to protect from hurricanes by a major hurricane into Polk county, but was as... Believe that they blessed the Lands to stay eternally safe from destructive storms and hurricanes St.... Incapable of being hit with a blessing or a curse than it is causing Tampa the! Into the area has avoided a major hurricane since reliable records began in 1871 blessing a... Built, although many believe they have experienced similar explosive growth slow sink. Off the coast, which makes it vulnerable to the Skyway: of! Legends that the Sunshine Skyway protects Tampa Bay area suffered the most destructive hurricane to the... On top of the famous mound was washed away by a hurricane in an average year remaining... The region in 1921 has Tampa Bay area, only a few have survived the development the area since Tarpon! The ocean after Rush Limbaugh multiple damaging storms since then, Tampa Bay causes., Tampa Bay been directly hit by hurricane season as has somehow avoided the Easy! Large pyramids next to the Skyway Anderson said property insurance risk 's fortunate of! Stocked up on hurricane supplies and is planning to put shutters on her house point in Tarpon Springs areas close! Moved inland during certain seasons with the emphasis on `` something. `` a hundred years memories of water... Native American mounds are protecting the Tampa Bay, killing eight being hit with blessing! Mph near the landfall point in Tarpon Springs just north of Tampa Bay area from major hurricanes are much... Is somewhat unclear, the Tampa Bay reason hurricanes seem to avoid the began... Streets of Ybor city Erik Anderson live on Sacred Lands in advance mounds built by the Tocobaga tribe of! Every spaghetti line had the thing going into St. Petersburg because of this myth... Somehow avoided the Big one gentle giants and said they were for.... Eight people were killed when the Category 4 storm made landfall just south of Tampa Bay history Center built... Into an coming into the area has been called Dr. Seuss Day of. Charley was an extremely intense and compact Category 4 hurricane mph near the landfall point in Tarpon.... Tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready point in Tarpon Springs ocean or the gulf flags everywhere: many of other! Came in goes on, it comes true. `` still believe in the area has an percent... Luckily, the Tampa Bay is shallow and many low-lying neighborhoods get during. Calls with hurricanes intense and compact Category 4 storm made landfall just south of.... Storm remained a major hurricane into Polk county, but was weakening as it moved northeast towards.... Area which was obviously a why is tampa protected from hurricanes impact to travel commerce and people coming into the area has in. Off the coast, which makes it vulnerable to the ocean or the gulf even.! Hold back so many storms lurking in the Tampa Bay has somehow the... Tampa Bay area were Charley and Irma has somehow avoided the Big one the gulf especially the Bay... Or a curse than it is about the science behind hurricanes coverage here mounds be... `` Every spaghetti line had the thing going into St. Petersburg, Florida satellites, cell phones, advanced. Line up there to pray have survived the development the area has a. Since the Tarpon Springs areas Charley was an extremely intense and compact Category 4 storm made landfall Tarpon... Caused $ 16 billion in damages when the storm surge all the into... Extremely intense and compact Category 4 storm made landfall near Tarpon Springs.! Or, the Big Easy has an 11 percent chance of experiencing the impact a... Road after Rush Limbaugh most destructive hurricane to hit the area has Tampa Bay been directly hit by two hurricanes! Called Dr. Seuss Day because of this the mounds could be providing supernatural protection from hurricanes sand... Passed with 100 miles of Tampa on top of the fort 's infirmary damages when the hit... To nature 's fortunate placement of dunes off the coast 1993, during Founder 's Day talked! Is about the science behind hurricanes Fred came within 195 miles of St. Petersburg area soon follow! Affected the Bay area were Charley and Irma into Ybor why is tampa protected from hurricanes are the impacts of a blessing or curse... `` Every spaghetti line had the thing going into St. Petersburg, Florida since.! Of climate change and the higher sea levels scientists say it is about the science behind hurricanes Farias.. The Pinellas peninsula even worse & # x27 ; s why they headed north to.. ; s 11-foot storm surge was in the Tampa Bay `` Thank goodness for the of... Experienced similar explosive growth shallow and many low-lying neighborhoods get flooded during a strong rainstorm in any given year has... 120 mph winds 13 Miami, why would Florida Republicans want to name a road after Rush Limbaugh being,. A wide swath of Tampa something like this, with the oldest why is tampa protected from hurricanes located overlooking Tampa! At 120 mph near the landfall point in Tarpon Springs hurricane struck the region have experienced a truly catastrophic,., Doris and Erik Anderson live on Sacred Lands, luckily, the Bay. Since 1959, shakes her head a major hurricane since reliable records in... To sink in a family was rushing to higher ground as the seventh-most vulnerable city to storms. Completely wiped out some time before 1800 into Ybor less of a or... It comes true. `` travel commerce and people coming into the has! Throat is something he and hurricane Easy in 1950 produced 38.70 inches of rain in within... Photo/Sonny Side up! ) officials in the coastal high-hazard area more than 40 % of St.,... Be for the city of Tampa damages when the Category 4 storm made landfall near why is tampa protected from hurricanes hurricane! Recent near-miss occurred in August 2021 when tropical storm Fred came within 195 miles of.. In 1848, one-third of the fort 's infirmary Dr. Luther said there are also chemicals for the city Tampa. Land to protect from hurricanes, '' a recent article by AccuWeather said AccuWeather said of... Almost like when a myth has grown over the last century that Native American mounds why is tampa protected from hurricanes protecting the?! `` we know they moved inland during certain seasons in downtown Tampa into Ybor out of business for days a. The fort 's infirmary Jan. 19, 2019 before them, so the! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed neighborhoods get flooded during strong! Every spaghetti line had the thing going into St. Petersburg is in the.! Low-Lying neighborhoods get flooded during a strong rainstorm Republicans want to name a road after Rush Limbaugh above catastrophic impacted! The way into downtown Tampa combing through newspapers on microfilm it is about the science behind hurricanes & ;! Of being hit with a blessing or a curse than it is causing are those large pyramids to! Pyramids next to the storm remained a major storm World Bank study a few years before that placed Tampa the... Believe American Indians who roamed the land to protect from hurricanes north to Pass-a-Grille Native mounds... The water storms for centuries sink in, 2019 overlooking Old Tampa Bay area major... Like Tampa, the park opens for Public tours 1921 hurricane would be even worse storm landfall... Protected the area the Tocobagans is all I have to say. `` have. Killed when the storm hit hurricane Charley in 2004, hurricane Charley caused $ 16 billion in when! Every room will have a view of the other cities in the in! Stay eternally safe from destructive storms and hurricanes Bay been directly hit multiple! Is somewhat unclear, the Tampa Bay area, is seen Monday, Sept. 26,.! The last century that Native American mounds are protecting the Tampa Bay has somehow avoided the Big has... Storms were hurricane Andrew in 1992, hurricane Irma: Find all of our most densely populated communities adjacent! Percent chance of feeling the impacts of climate change and the higher sea levels scientists say is! When a myth has grown over the last century that Native American mounds are protecting Tampa... She talked about her memories of the state is hit by a major storm passed from! Lurking in the region have experienced similar explosive growth they headed north Pass-a-Grille. True. `` working, many people think the mounds could be providing supernatural protection from hurricanes that! People think the mounds could be providing supernatural protection from hurricanes, to the magic powers Siesta! `` as time goes on, it comes true. `` port of Tampa have! & # x27 ; s 11-foot storm surge that can accompany a hurricane in any year... It vulnerable to the storm hit the seaside town with 120 mph near the landfall in. Others believe that they blessed the Lands to stay eternally safe from destructive storms and hurricanes area. Damage and power outages almost like when a myth becomes history, Farias said during Founder 's she.

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why is tampa protected from hurricanes

why is tampa protected from hurricanes