The Tampa Bay was spared from the catastrophic consequences of Hurricane Milton. Despite many fearing the worst due to emergency warnings, this area did not suffer damage, only minor effects from the phenomenon such as fallen trees or poles, but there was no tragedy. By Thursday morning, the water was returning to its normal levels.
But why, despite being part of the coast, was Tampa Bay spared? Part of the answer seems to lie in the fact that in this area a reverse storm surge occurred.
Despite the forecast of gigantic storm surges with historic 15-foot waves, the opposite occurred in this area, with reverse storm surges being recorded.
A storm surge is when a storm or hurricane pushes water towards the coast causing tragic flooding along the coast, but when these surges are reversed, it is the opposite, the water recedes.
USA Today presented the explanation from several meteorologists. One of them, Paul Pastelok from AccuWeather, emphasized on the reverse storm surge, explaining that these pull water "because the wind flow comes from land to ocean" and pushes it. This can occur with any hurricane on the east coast of the United States or in the Gulf.
Tampa and more explanation about its "luck" with Hurricane Milton
The aforementioned media outlet indicated that, generally, storms that make landfall in southern Tampa are less catastrophic. In the southern Siesta Key and Sarasota areas, tide gauges recorded high levels, but they dropped around this bay.
"Due to Milton arriving at the coast with its circulation center just over 20 miles to the south, the particularly vulnerable Tampa Bay narrowly avoided the most catastrophic storm surge," reads USA Today.
Alex DaSilva, a hurricane expert at AccuWeather, mentioned that Tampa Bay has not experienced a direct hit from a hurricane since 1921, a streak that was maintained with Hurricane Milton.
He pointed out that in reality, "there is no geographical or topographical reason, nor meteorological reason for this streak of Tampa. They were very, very lucky", he stated.
Another point in favor of Tampa Bay against Hurricane Milton is that this phenomenon made landfall when it was in its "cone of uncertainty", with last-minute fluctuations.
"Fortunately for Tampa, it made landfall to the south, near Sarasota," he said.
Why do reverse storm surges occur?
Ernie Jillson, a meteorologist from the Meteorological Service, explained that reverse cyclonic surges can occur near and to the right of the location where a hurricane or storm makes landfall.
“The bays are more susceptible because they are like a bowl of water... They are protected by land on all sides except for one, that is why they are so susceptible to being emptied,” detailed.