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Tampa Bay waters began receding rapidly Wednesday morning from the coast as Hurricane Ian, the first major hurricane to hit Tampa in more than 100 years, sucked water from the bay as it approached the Florida Gulf Coast, while other areas reported heavy, massive flooding. Storm surges.
key facts
Hurricane winds line up counterclockwise with Tampa bayPetersburg inlet channel, which means storm winds push water from the bay into the ocean and then onto land in a process called a “reverse storm surge”.
Ian is expected to make landfall as a major Category 4 hurricane around Captiva Island and Sanibel Wednesday afternoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, an 18-foot storm surge and torrential flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The water also started recede From the beaches of Venice and Madeira Beach Just before 10 a.m., the Tampa Bay branch of the National Weather Service warned to walk too close to shore, tweeting “The water’s back.”
Storm waves happen when a hurricane’s winds push water out of a body of water, though … [+]
Residents walk along the shore of Tampa Bay receding as water.
Tampa Bay. Ian is expected to make landfall Wednesday afternoon on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
in-depth reading
In pictures: Hurricane Ian slams Cuba, batters barrels toward Florida – here’s a look at the damage (Florida)
Hurricane Ian Live Updates: Cat 4 storm minutes away from landing on Captiva Island (Florida)
