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Hurricane Ian In Photos: FL Residents Prepare For Major Storm Ahead

Tampa area residents and businesses get ready to battle Hurricane Ian, the worst storm anticipated to hit the Bay area in over a century.

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Local business begin to board up in preparation for Hurricane Ian.
Local business begin to board up in preparation for Hurricane Ian. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch )

ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay area in Florida has not faced a storm like Hurricane Ian in more than a century. The storm's impact could be detrimental, with more than 3 million people residing in the area who have yet to experience the type of flooding and storm surges that experts predict will occur.

“Tampa Bay is very surge-prone because of its orientation,” said Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm surge in Tampa Bay and surrounding waters is predicted to be between 5 and 10 feet above normal tide conditions and rainfall of between 10 and 15 inches is expected.

Stay up-to-date by viewing all Hurricane Ian coverage on Patch here.

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Take a look at photos below showing how local residents and businesses are preparing to battle the harsh conditions of Hurricane Ian.

Local stores and small business, such as this 7-Eleven on Madeira Beach, were seen boarded up on Tuesday afternoon in preparation of Hurricane Ian. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
In this aerial image, the city of Tampa is seen on Monday. Hurricane Ian was growing stronger as it barreled toward Cuba on a track to hit Florida's west coast as a major hurricane as early as Wednesday. (DroneBase via AP)
Another aerial view taken in Tampa on Monday. (DroneBase via AP)
Workers at the Saltwater Hippie Beach Bar in Madeira Beach were seen boarding up windows in preparation of what's to come. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
The Gulfport Beach Bazaar was seen boarded up Tuesday afternoon. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
Lisa Bromfield and Mike Sernett work to place a sheet of plywood on the front windows of a store in downtown Gulfport in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Ian in South Pasadena, Florida. (Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)
Even franchise hotspots like Office Depot and CVS aren't taking any chances. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
The Museum of Fine Arts, which calls St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront home, closed its doors and prepared with sandbags Tuesday. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
Some places decided to have some fun with the situation. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
Locals were seen buying generators and other safety precautions ahead of the storm. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
A St. Petersburg police car is seen directing traffic near Northeast Park for those in need of sand for sandbags in preparation of the storm. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
Many places have already run out of necessities, such as water. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
Cars line up for gas ahead of the storm. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)

Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Chaotic gas lines at a local Wawa. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
A local Sam's Club gas station was inundated with cars as well. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
Basic grocery staples like eggs were scarce. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
Bread, too. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
A look at empty shelves of water as people stock up ahead of the Hurricane Ian. (Tiffany Razzano/Patch)
A woman takes photos while waves crash against a seawall as Hurricane Ian passes through George Town, Grand Cayman island, on Monday. Hurricane Ian is quickly gaining monstrous strength as it moves over oceans partly heated up by climate change. (AP Photo/Kevin Morales, File)

The Associated Press contributed to this post.

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