Because the storm's damaging winds stretch 350 to 400 miles wide, forecasters said the metro area of 6 million people could still get life-threatening gusts and a storm surge of 4 to 6 feet. St. Petersburg, FL - Hurricane Information & Risks | Homefacts Petersburg did not appear to have suffered significant damage from Hurricane Ian, the city wrote in its post. "Because it is located by the shallow Tampa Bay, water piles up into the city, causing very significant storm surge along the coastline.". Although Easy officially hit north of Tampa Bay, it passed very close to the coast of Pinellas, and the eyewall might have come ashore, touching the coast of Northern Pinellas. The Tampa-St. Petersburg area has an 11 percent chance of feeling the impacts of a hurricane in any given year. Tropical Storm Henri makes landfall in the Northeast - CNN "You don't have to go hundreds of miles away. Coats and hats are appropriate, consider gloves and a scarf. 10.3.2022: 11:45am Debris Pickup Update. (@PaulFox13) pic.twitter.com/Ejboz6mHaY, Paul Dellegatto, a meteorologist for Fox 13 in Tampa, told the network that strong east winds from the storm were pushing water south out of the bays and bayous.. The beaches would be wiped away, as would tourism. Hurricane Irma track: Which forecast model should you trust. People board up a restaurant in preparation for Hurricane Ian on Monday in St. Petersburg, Fla. As Hurricane Ian barrels toward Florida, officials there are activating emergency plans and urging residents to evacuate from vulnerable areas. Frostbite to exposed skin within 1 minute. "Because Key West is so far from the mainland, evacuating people can be a difficult challenge during a hurricane event.". Had a quiet 2021 hurricane season and remains in the same position. It is the last hurricane to directly affect the county in the past 90 years. Damage in the U.S. due to Irma ranges from 50 billion to 77 billion dollars. After Ians hit, he said his bar is ideal for those looking to charge their phones and get out of the house. The Peninsula has been hit by two major hurricanes in the last 175-ish years. Essential items for your evacuation go bag. The island, like most of the barrier islands, was completely covered with water. An estimated 70,000 Floridians huddled in shelters as Irma closed in on the Keys, where the storm's center was expected to swirl over land Sunday morning. If all that sounds hyperbolic, its not. Tampa may not see landfall, but big hit likely