Water levels are dropping in Tampa Bay. Photos from the Tampa Times:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/weather/hurricanes/hurricane-irma-is-so-strong-its-pulling-water-from-tampa-bays-shores/2336958
From Twitter from a meterologist, about the people walking on the Tampa Bay seafloor: It’s like if you see a tiger while you’re holding a steak, and you say, “I’m going to go pet it.”
I’ve been impressed by Chris Cuomo. I really never thought of him as a Location reporter.
These wind battered reporters – sheesh – theater of the absurd
I’m so glad it’s been downgraded. I know it’s still very dangerous, but hopefully the devastation will be less.
^^thought that was so cool @Gator88NE! Love President Fuchs.
Plus he told them no school on Wednesday. I guess they had on it good authority. 
Cat 1!!! That’s the 2 am forecast for Tampa when the eye hits us. Currently down to a cat 2 around Sarasota area. It is currently 14 mph (was 6 for awhile) and still going north. Our part of Tampa (NE) may yet end up out of the NW corner where the weather is worst. Still predicting power outages due to downed trees on power lines. It is still bigger than the state- all except the far NW counties. Worse weather on the east side of the state than here so far- as far north as Jacksonville. Usually nearby counties would help out an affected area- but the whole state is being hit. I’m impressed with the preparations and proactive work done locally. The Tampa area has had the hurricanes go everywhere else for many decades, unlike other parts who are more used to them.
Still a hurricane but compared to when it hit the Keys at cat 4, and higher elsewhere- so much better. City/county here there should be no loss of water even if the power goes.
Outside, under cover on lanai, it is nicely cool and breezy for a change. Our good windows muffle a lot of the wind noise. Local ABC (ch 11) weather coverage is excellent- lots of good detail. Other local stations are also doing 24/7 no commercial coverage. The chief meteorologist is saying it will be so loud we won’t be able to sleep. Irma started near Africa 3 weeks ago and this past week the stresses of preparing for an unknown track/intensity has been wearing. Late morning it will be gone.
Just something interresting, we have a bloomsky weather camera/station. I wanted to see what weather stations in the tampa area were reporting. The weather stations have a weather camera and usually report temp/ wind speed/rainfall/hummity… So I went to www.BloomSky.com and clicked on the map link and found several weather stations still reporting on line in the coastal central FL area. I started to click on several and was surprised to see the insides of peope homes! Some look they were intentionally set up inside (one was inside looking through a glass door to the back yard and pool) most were at odd angles in garages, cloests, or living rooms.
I asked DH about this because it seemed so strange and he said it’s kind of difficult to actually turn off the camera in these units. Most of these folks likely just brought the units inside to protect them and I doubt they know that anyone on the internet can see in their living rooms! At least those folks still have power and internet!
I really want to know how the various people interviewed before the storm on Key West fared. Like the Hemingway House. Haven’t found anything yet.
I just read on Twitter that all 54 cats, and I guess the caretaker, are OK. Tweet was from Orlando Sentinel.
I still want to know how the Key West woman on the phone is doing.
And Doris.
Someone from Hemingway House is on Tv now. House still standing. No electricity or water. Running three generators to preserve food. Will take shelter again tonight.
When the water levels fell in the bays, the manatees were stranded. Rescue efforts were successful:
http://www.fox13news.com/news/hurricane-irma/rescuers-brave-hurricane-irmas-fury-to-save-manatees
The two flamingos at the Key West Butterfly House were put in a laundry room and are okay. The Key Deer are reported to be good swimmers.
Are things settling down in the Ft. Myers area yet? Seems like they really got pounded.
Thinking about you @wis75. Was really worried about Tampa.
Thank you @wis75 for that info. I’m really worried about our house in Tampa. We’re in a mandatory evacuation area so I’m watching the storm surge numbers carefully. I’m planning to get back to Tampa as soon as I can after this passes. My first 2 flight bookings have already been canceled. I’m really hoping I can get some information about the condition of my house tomorrow. My neighbors have evacuated so I have to wait until friends in other neighborhoods can get over to my neighborhood.
Just got an email that my generator is running. Wasn’t expecting to lose power this early.
Roommate’s condo complex in Clearwater has a camera facing the beach area. The water is still missing. It’s just bizarre to see.