Section: Local Weather

News

The MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater in Tampa loses its roof due to Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton's winds tore down portions of the shell roof of the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater. The concert hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds, operated by Live Nation, has a 135,000-square-foot roof that covers about 10,000 seats, or half the venue's capacity. Parts of the roof appeared to have fallen onto the seats. According to […]

By Andrew Jack

October 11, 2024October 11, 2024

News

“It was cruel.” A Ruskin man survived Hurricane Milton in his sailboat.

RUSKIN – Lenny Lopez has lived on boats for 46 years. His current home for 26 years is a 42-foot sailboat named Velella. Both Velella and Lopez have weathered several major storms, including Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago and others offshore while traveling to Mexico and Grenada. That's why Lopez said he saw no […]

By Andrew Jack

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024

News

Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld will all close before Milton

ORLANDO – Orlando's tourism machine ground to a halt Tuesday as at least three major theme parks and the main airport announced their closures ahead of Hurricane Milton's turn to hit Florida as a major storm. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld will all close their theme parks and respective entertainment properties on Wednesday, […]

By Andrew Jack

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024

News

What do I do? How to Deal with the Aftermath of Hurricane Milton

After Hurricane Milton crosses Florida on Wednesday and Thursday, you may face a new set of challenges – some of them life-threatening. Here's how to handle some of the situations you may encounter. I'm stuck in my home or my neighborhood. What do I do? City and county officials have warned that law enforcement will […]

By Andrew Jack

October 9, 2024October 9, 2024

News

Strong Hurricane Milton is approaching the storm-plagued Gulf Coast

Tampa Bay residents woke up Wednesday to the middle of a nightmare scenario as Hurricane Milton moves ever closer to the Gulf Coast. As the potential landfall area shrinks tonight or early Thursday, storm-weary residents are preparing for the worst. The span can reach up to 15 feet. The power could be out for weeks. […]

By Andrew Jack

October 9, 2024October 9, 2024

News

Time is running out for Tampa Bay to prepare for Milton

Hurricane Milton could cause unprecedented destruction in the Tampa Bay area, and officials warn that today is the last day to prepare. Meteorologists expect it to be an extremely dangerous hurricane that could bring a storm surge of 10 to 15 feet across Tampa Bay. Tropical storm-force winds could reach the Tampa Bay area as […]

By Andrew Jack

October 8, 2024October 8, 2024

News

They survived Hurricane Helene. Now they have one piece of advice before Milton: evacuate.

By the time Nancy Parker realized she wanted to leave home and seek safety, it was too late. Hurricane Helene's storm surge ripped through her Bay Pines neighborhood, leaving streets impassable. Boats crashed into nearby mobile homes, tearing down their walls. Cars floated down the street, flooding it and totaling it. There was rubble everywhere. […]

By Andrew Jack

October 7, 2024October 7, 2024

News

Thanks to Helene, school is still closed for some Tampa Bay students

MADEIRA BEACH — When Pinellas County students return to school Monday, children from two schools flooded by Hurricane Helene will not be there. “Two of our schools suffered severe damage,” Principal Kevin Hendrick said Sunday during a news conference outside Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8. “It will take months to repair both schools.” Children at Madeira […]

By Andrew Jack

October 1, 2024October 1, 2024

News

Where did Helene hurt Tampa Bay the worst?

Sand piled up along Gulf Boulevard looked like snow banks. Boats were pulled ashore into downtown Gulfport. And the water flooded the streets of the Davis Islands even after the sun rose and the surf receded elsewhere in Tampa Bay. Emergency managers, sheriffs and meteorologists shared the same message Friday: Hurricane Helene delivered what the […]

By Andrew Jack

September 27, 2024September 27, 2024

News

Access to all Pinellas barrier islands will remain closed Friday morning

No one was allowed access to the Pinellas barrier Friday morning, including evacuated residents, officials said. Clearwater city officials said in a news release early Friday morning that “access to Clearwater Beach remains closed until further notice.” The warning, sent just after 3 a.m., said streets, businesses and homes were “inundated with several feet of […]

By Andrew Jack

September 27, 2024September 27, 2024