And based on this NOAA map of where the flooding is likely to be most severe at each level of a hurricane's strength, the threat of Hurricane Irma's wrath is freaking us out a little.
This map also shows the areas most vulnerable to flooding as well as sea-level rise.
Given how it's surrounded by water on nearly all sides, Pinellas County will likely become a pair of islands isolated from the rest of the region, essentially, and the barrier islands could be under more than nine feet water. (Here's a map of evacuation zones there.)
On Monday, Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency.
The cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg are also now offering sand bags for residents who don't plan to evacuate ahead of the storm's landfall, which is projected to occur on Sunday.
St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman is giving a press conference Wednesday at 1 p.m. to discuss the city's preparation and response to the storm
As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center says Irma's wind speed has been clocked at 185 miles per hour.
As of Wednesday morning, the storm's projected track jogged east, though experts warn that it isn't set in stone.
Stay safe, guys.
This article appears in Aug 31 – Sep 7, 2017.