Hurricane Ian's aftermath

Sunken Gardens flamingos doing fine; Tampa Bay airports reopen; Rays miss chance to clinch

 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Friday, September 30, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Hey, everybody. Forecasters expect a sunny day and clear skies tonight (high of  80, low of 62).  In case you were wondering, the Sunken Gardens flamingos are fine. We also take a look at the Tampa Bay area airports reopening today, and the Rays missing out on their first chance to clinch a playoff spot after losing last night in Cleveland.  [JEFFEREE WOO | Times] Ian largely spared Tampa Bay with minimal damages. It’s a different story for our neighbors to the south. Businesses and beachfront owners from Clearwater Beach to Pass-a-Grille were among the first to be evacuated in Pinellas County’s Zone A. But after Hurricane Ian shifted south, the area’s beachfront towns avoided the worst of it.    The storm left Tampa Bay soggy, disheveled and breathing a sigh of relief.    Locals found fallen trees blocking streets, branches dropped on cars — but, thankfully, not the widespread destruction they’d feared from one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the U.S.   Officials reported at least 17 hurricane deaths Thursday. That number is expected to increase.     Most of the 2.5 million residents in evacuation zones along the path of Ian heeded warnings and left, local emergency leaders say. But some chose to stay and shelter in place. Among them: 31 people on an unidentified barrier island in Charlotte County.   Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared Sanibel had been “hit with really biblical storm surge.” The Pine Island community is grappling with the aftermath of the storm. And one Lee County beachfront resident compared Ian to a horror movie.   Ian was more brutal than some residents of Fort Myers Beach ever imagined. Daybreak on Thursday revealed devastation — another slice of salt-streaked Florida forever altered by a storm.   As that own lies decimated, with many areas unreachable due to flooding and power outages, families wait anxiously for news.   We continue monitoring Ian as it makes its way toward South Carolina. Follow live updates here.  AROUND THE BAY Widespread power loss: Hurricane Ian caused more than a half-million outages across Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Crews are still working to restore power.   Shelter experiences: Several evacuees said they found the spaces where they sought refuge to be a fine alternative to riding out the storm at home.   Returning to class: Tampa Bay area schools plan to reopen Monday after Ian.   Local connectors reopen: The Sunshine Skyway started welcoming motorists again Thursday. See the status of other bridges and roads around the region.   Some stores are back: In the wake of the storm, certain Tampa Bay Publix locations are reopening earlier than expected.   Update on airports: Tampa International and St. Pete-Clearwater International will reopen today.   Tide returns: As Ian neared Florida on Wednesday, wind pulled water away from Tampa Bay in what’s called “reverse storm surge.” Now, it’s back.   “Mother nature came”: After nearly 11 years and over 20,000 wishes, the Dalí Museum’s beloved Wish Tree was brought down by the storm.   CEO offers apology: The head of a Clearwater marketing agency apologized to employees Wednesday after asking them to work through Hurricane Ian.   DeSantis pushes back: President Biden told reporters that Ian “could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history.” The 1928 storm that hit the state killed more than 2,500 people. Ian isn't likely to get close to that, the governor said. BRIGHT SPOT 🦩 [Courtesy of Sunken Gardens] Sunken Gardens flamingos, still in a St. Petersburg bathroom, are doing fine An Instagram post of the birds hunkering down during Hurricane Ian took off online. Read the latest on this now-viral flock.  Need a mental break? Play a game! 👾 ARCADE SOLITAIRE SUDOKU SEE ALL OPINION AND COMMENTARY Lessons from the storm: The Times Editorial Board breaks down three things the Tampa Bay area can learn from Hurricane Ian.   When will it be Tampa Bay? After the storm pivoted for southwest Florida, relief mutated into wretched guilt, writes columnist Stephanie Hayes. She reflects on the state's Faustian Bargain. Dive deeper into your favorite local subjects 📨 Our free email newsletters bring the best of the Tampa Bay Times to your inbox every week. Explore all of them here. SPORTS Rays fall to Guardians: Tampa Bay failed to clinch a playoff spot Thursday when it let a one-run lead get away in the eighth inning.   Training facility damaged: Rays officials are assessing the extent of Hurricane Ian's impact on their Port Charlotte complex.   Donations for victims: The Bucs have made it clear the storm-ravaged bay area remains foremost in their hearts. That's why they're contributing financially to those affected by Ian. So is Tom Brady.   Game on for Tampa: Sunday night's Bucs-Chiefs matchup will be played as scheduled at Raymond James Stadium.   "Can't let it happen again": As he prepares to return from his one-game suspension, Mike Evans reflects on his role in a scuffle with Saints nemesis Marshon Lattimore.   Lightning fall to Predators: Tampa Bay lost its second preseason game, but the team is more concerned with getting regular-season ready than winning exhibition contests.    College football viewing guide: FSU and USF have big games coming up.   5 pressing questions: Are the Seminoles for real? And which QBs will find some consistency? We examine where some of the state's major programs stand. TODAY'S TALKER [Courtesy of World Central Kitchen] World Central Kitchen starts feeding communities impacted by Hurricane Ian In the following days, the relief organization will team up with Tampa Bay chefs and volunteers to crank out 15,000 cold meals and 10,000 hot meals each day in parts of southwest Florida.   How to help: There are ways to donate or volunteer to support people recovering from the storm. We made a list. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Carly Thompson, Anila Lijo, Mari Faiello and Amy Gehrt. Did someone forward this to you? Get DayStarter in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. Contact us Privacy policy Terms, conditions & copyright Standard of accuracy © 2022 • All Rights Reserved Tampa Bay Times • 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, add custserv@elist.tampabay.com to your address book. You are receiving this email because you signed up for the "DayStarter" newsletter from the Tampa Bay Times. If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe from this email.