Those turned out to be false. 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. "Cape Hatteras is very close to the Gulf Stream, which enables hurricanes to strengthen due to warmer ocean temperatures during the summer," Samuhel explained. Large burial mounds remaining from Tocobaga civilization are still present today, with the oldest one located overlooking Old Tampa Bay. Many of the 347,645 people living in the area have homes along the coast, making residents susceptible to storm surge. The main ingredients for fertilizer. 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Its unclear why the mounds were built, although many believe they were for burials. Outside of that radius, the winds are significantly lighter and not nearly as damaging. Calusa Protective Spell-Tampa. And next week, forecasters are predicting yet another one within striking distance. I keep my fingers crossed all hurricane season," Dr. Luther said. "Do they want to protect their burial mounds," Farias wondered in the interview. Located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Cape Hatteras has a 15 percent chance of feeling the impacts of a hurricane in any given year. The oldest remaining one is located near Old Tampa Bay. A number of other explanations for the relative safety have surfaced, most of them questionable. In that time, they traveled to historical societies, museums, and areas hit the hardest by the storm. It appears Hurricane Ian will give that legend a test in the coming days. Local legend has it that mounds built by the Tocobaga tribe hundreds of years ago, protected the area from major storms for centuries. Built in 1922, residents are known to line up there to pray. The Tampa Bay area hasn't suffered a direct hit from a hurricane since 1929. The Tampa-St. Petersburg area has an 11 percent chance of feeling the impacts of a hurricane in any given year. 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He made these remarks during a sit down interview recently at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando with News Channel 8 Chief Meteorologist and Climate Specialist Jeff Berardelli. We spent hours at the John F. Germany Public Library in downtown Tampa combing through newspapers on microfilm. And it could be bad. Winds were estimated at 120 mph near the landfall point in Tarpon Springs. 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. But the population was not unusually high. Along the coast, storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. Red tide is back (again) in Pinellas County. One, we are very worried about hurricanes. war and disease brought by a Spanish explorer, Supernatural forces at play? "Thank goodness for the Tocobagans is all I have to say.". The article went on to say, "the tropical storm which was reported Monday to be moving towards St. Petersburg, failed to reach here with any force Monday night, according to the local weather bureau.". This article represents the opinion of the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board. 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. As the Gulf Coast just south of Tampa Bay recovers from the devastation left from Hurricane Ian, many Tampa Bay residents are breathing an uneasy sigh of relief. It's been more than a century since a major storm like Ian has struck the Tampa Bay area, which blossomed from a few hundred thousand people in 1921 to more than 3 million today. 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. Turn them in to HCSO Valentines. And two, we wonder why we're lucky.". Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or But many still believe the blessing protects us. Im a skeptic. Storm Team 8s Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli explained. "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. I have no idea. Some hold the belief that Sarasota is protected from hurricanes because the Native Americans who first settled there knew that it was safe from the elements. "Folk tales give us comfort, so we use something we can't disprove," Baram said. The tribe lived in small villages between what is now Safety Harbor and the Gandy area, from 900 to the 1500s, but died out from disease and violence from Spanish settlers in the 17th century, according to Pinellas Countys website. Heres what we know. Another, to the magic powers of Siesta Key's white sand beaches and underwater crystals. Today, that number is almost 395,000. However . All of these hurricanes would have had devastating impacts on Tampa Bay but veered off course and missed. On October 25, 1921, the Tampa Bay Area suffered the most destructive hurricane to hit the area since the 1800s. However, only a few have survived the development the area has undergone in modern times. However, many people lost power and much of the state was still affected. The others from the hazards of the fallen debris like live wires. "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.". Profanity, personal Did American Indians who roamed the land centuries ago protect Pinellas with a blessing? The most obvious reason weve avoided major hurricane problems sheer dumb luck. It just never seems to happen, St. Petersburg resident Leonard McCue told the Washington Post in 2017 following Hurricane Irma. In Tampa, 1 in 9 could see flooding from Category 1 storms. The last one hit more . The faded ink had several names at the top that were illegible. 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. "I've had Realtors call and ask if it's true so they can advertise it," he said. And its certainly possible banks will stop writing 30-year mortgages for some hurricane- and flood-prone homes. It was so tightly wound that many likened it to a giant tornado, causing buzz saw damage along its path. "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. 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. "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. "The Spaniards called them gentle giants and said they were. The petroleum facilities would be out of business for days at a time. The most recent major hurricane was Irma, making landfall in the Florida Keys as a category four storm. The two which affected the Bay Area were Charley and Irma. Storm surge maps are constantly updated. So while we love the memes of a carefree Tampa: Make sure to prepare for every hurricane. It's certainly possible some of the pipelines could be damaged.". 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. There are a number of serious hazards that come along with hurricanes striking a coastal area. In any given year, there are some U.S. cities that are at higher risk than others to experience the impacts of a hurricane. Tampa is also located on the coast, which makes it vulnerable to the storm surge that can accompany a hurricane. These include high winds, heavy rains, a storm surge, and tornadoes. We got a tour of the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center. 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. In the Tampa Bay Area, only 2 of the above catastrophic hurricanes impacted the area - Charley and Irma. A hundred years of good luck? Have the app? For centuries, the Tocobaga tribe inhabited the coastline of Tampa Bay, surviving on a diet consisting mostly of fish and shellfish. Im convinced that geographically were incapable of being hit with a storm. But, luckily, the area has avoided. The only other hurricane known to have made a direct hit on Tampa Bay was the Great Gale of 1848, which made landfall in Clearwater, Florida in late September174 years ago. "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 2004 Hurricane Charley made landfall near Punta Gorda, south of the Bay Area. Although West Florida has been fortunate, proper hurricane protection for homes and businesses is still essential. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The mounds were used as temples, homes and burial grounds. "Something about this being sacred ground or something? Or, the American Indians who once lived here blessed this place and made it safe from hurricanes. 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 . It also once saved the life of an early settler after bringing his family to the bay to escape a storm surge. Is there a plan in place for those?" How about spending more on preventing crime? Depends on who you ask,. "Because it is located by the shallow Tampa Bay, water piles up into the city, causing very significant storm surge along the coastline.". ", Joel, however, is less skeptical. "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. On Sundays, the park opens for public tours. And affordable property insurance could be added to the endangered species list. Breathing issues are possible at some beaches. Downed power lines in Ybor City, the trolley line washed away along Bayshore Boulevard, flooded homes in Hyde Park, and docks and boats washed ashore along where the current Tampa Riverwalk now runs. 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. In the case of Charley Desoto, Hardee and Polk counties all experienced winds gusts well over 100 mph, causing catastrophic damage. As a result, Cape Hatteras has been exposed in the past to hurricanes that move up the Eastern Seaboard. 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. Amid all the science, a local legend has it that blessings from Native Americans who once called the region home have largely protected it from major storms for centuries. It derailed the railroad in that area which was obviously a significant impact to travel commerce and people coming into the area. "On the Port Resiliency Index, developed by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the Port scored 95%.". One gives credit to nature's fortunate placement of dunes off the coast. Reports said that once the storm passed, soldiers celebrated in the streets drinking whiskey, grateful that no lives were lost. CareerSource Pinellas and St. Pete College to Host Engineering Career Fair, Miami Is the Most Popular Metro For Relocators in 2023, William Stanley Firm Offers CFO Services to Smaller Businesses, Hillsborough Habitat for Humanity Unveils 12 New Affordable Homes, Training Participation Key to Retaining Older Workers, Nesting shorebirds Take to Gravel Rooftops for Peace and Safety, USF Students Reduce Mental Health Stigma Through This Is My Brave, Fiesta Day Celebrates Ybors Immigrant Culture, Mapped: The Price of Starbucks Coffee, by Country, St. Pete Community Evaluates CALLCommunity Assistance and Life Liaison Program, AI Experts Say Many Chores Will Be Automated by 2033. But as seen below on this FEMA map, the swath of damage was very narrow. This part of the state is hit by hurricane season as . 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. The area hit the hardest is where the Sparkman Channel and Ybor Channel meet, next to Port Tampa Bay. And two, we wonder why we 're lucky. `` the magic powers of Siesta Key 's sand... Mounds remaining from Tocobaga civilization are still present today, with the oldest one located Old... Most of them questionable the most destructive hurricane to hit the hardest by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance the... Gorda, south of the state was still affected west would be unusual! Area - Charley and Irma west would be very unusual. ``, Supernatural at. It was so tightly wound that many likened it to a giant tornado causing. Sand beaches and underwater crystals Punta Gorda, south of the pipelines could added. 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