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Chip Weiner
Joe & Sons Olive Oils on Bay to Bay Boulevard boarded up in advance of the storm and left a message for the city of Tampa.
Like many others in Florida, people and businesses in South Tampa prepared for the worst. News stories leading up to hurricane Irma late last week created visions of mass destruction from a possible category 4 hurricane. News reports along with recent images from the impact of hurricane Harvey on Houston created a mild panic days in advance of the approaching storm. It appears we dodged the bullet this time.
With numerous warnings about the intensity of the storm it’s hard to say why people prepared the way that they did. For example along toney Bayshore Boulevard only 25 to 30% of the homes were boarded up. Many of the businesses in South Tampa made no preparation. Some only put plywood over the windows in case of high winds and ignored the threat of flooding, while others sandbagged their doors and other openings to prevent flood damage but did not do anything to prevent wind damage.
Here’s what South Tampa look like on Monday, 12 hours after the eye of the storm had passed.
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Chip Weiner
Some businesses boarded up their windows, others like Traveling Corks wine bar attempted to mitigate possible damage from floodwaters
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Chip Weiner
There were several downed small trees in most of the visited neighborhoods like this one on W. Davis Blvd.
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Chip Weiner
By midday winds were still blowing in over 30 miles an hour after Irma had gone north of the bay area pushing higher than normal seas into Hillsborough Bay. This dock is at the Seaport close to Davis Island Yacht Club
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Chip Weiner
Tampa Electric is reporting that it could be days for electricity is restored for some customers. A large oak tree took down this power wire.
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Chip Weiner
Officials urged caution about downed power lines as people moved back into their homes after evacuation. These wires were on Davis Islands in South Tampa.
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Chip Weiner
12 hours after the storm Hillsborough Bay was still choppy. Officials expect winds to continue to blow at above normal rates for at least the next 24 hours.
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Chip Weiner
The only visible damage along Channelside Drive were palm fronds in the road. The same was true for most of downtown Tampa.
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Chip Weiner
Few businesses were open by noon Monday following the storm. Those that were, like this Metro Market at North Boulevard and Kennedy Boulevard, got crowded quickly as people attempted to buy gasoline and more importantly a cup of coffee! No power means no coffee for a lot of people.
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Chip Weiner
It's hard to say why some businesses protected themselves against water (sandbags) but not against wind (plywood). Here Buddy Brew in Hyde Park was prepared for the storm surge from Hillsborough Bay which at one time was predicted to be 8 to 12 feet above normal tides.
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Chip Weiner
Others in Hyde Park Village prepared for the wind with no apparent concern or precautions for flooding.
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Chip Weiner
This parking garage in Hyde Park was nearly full 12 hours after the passing of,. Many residents took precaution to get their cars as high above ground as possible due to the potential of a storm surge.
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Chip Weiner
The Ballast Point section of South Tampa was left with standing water and debris in the roads. This photo was taken at Interbay and Bayshore Boulevard.
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Chip Weiner
Also in the Ballast Point area a large oak tree snapped two poles pulling down large power lines in front of the Bayshore United Methodist Church on MacDill Avenue
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Chip Weiner
The day after the storm passed many gas stations were still out of fuel. As of midday officials were working on reopening the port so that fuel could be distributed around the area.
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Chip Weiner
Some businesses decided early what to do. Datz Restaurant and Dough Bakery on MacDill Avenue closed for the weekend wishing Tampa luck.
click to enlarge Chip Weiner
Some businesses boarded up their windows, others like Traveling Corks wine bar attempted to mitigate possible damage from floodwaters
