With Hurricane Ian churning off the coast, sights and occasion planners throughout the Tampa Bay space are making choices quickly on whether or not to observe by with plans for the festivals, reveals and fall gatherings that had been deliberate for this weekend.
Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, Clearwater Aquarium and ZooTampa all introduced they’d be closing in preparation. On Monday, most others had been saying they’re in a wait-and-see mode to search out out what the weekend will maintain after the storm passes. When you’ve got tickets or plans for any occasion this weekend, it’s greatest to test the occasion’s web site or Fb web page earlier than heading out.
Listed below are a few of the occasions we do find out about:
Busch Gardens: The Tampa theme park shall be closed on Tuesday and stay closed by Thursday. Visitors are inspired to test their website and observe their social media channels for updates on park reopening. Admission tickets already bought have been prolonged by Dec. 31.
The Florida Aquarium: The Tampa aquarium and its administrative places of work shall be closed beginning at 3 p.m. right now in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. A small group of important personnel will stay to make sure the security of the animals, aquarium officers stated. “Our first precedence is security,” stated Chief Working Officer Andrew Wooden. “We now have secured the power and brought all precautions to make sure the security of our workers and animals.”
Directors haven’t decided when it can reopen. Updates shall be posted on the aquarium’s web site at flaquarium.org and throughout social media channels.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park: The zoo shall be closed Tuesday by Thursday, ZooTampa officers introduced.
ZooTampa has a climate coverage “which incorporates transferring bigger animals into their night time homes, that are constructed to face up to main storms, and smaller mammals and birds into ancillary buildings,” the announcement stated. The ability might also institute a storm workforce made up of animal care professionals, veterinary workers, upkeep and a security workforce made up of EMTs and safety personnel.
The zoo will submit updates on park hours and operations on its web site and social media channels.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium: The aquarium shall be closed Tuesday by Thursday. “Preparations are underway to guard the well being and security of our animals and the workers on website,” aquarium officers stated.
The Straz Heart for the Performing Arts: The Straz Heart shall be closed Tuesday by Friday. Performances of the Straz produced “Avenue Q,” Opera Tampa’s “Spanish Nights” and Jobsite Theater’s “Picasso on the Lapin Agile” are affected by the closing. Climate allowing, reveals will resume Saturday.
Mahaffey Theater: The St. Petersburg performing arts constructing shall be closed beginning Tuesday till additional discover. “Within the occasion we’re unable to proceed with this weekend’s occasions, all ticketholders shall be notified through e-mail and occasion present pages shall be up to date with present data,” Mahaffey introduced.
Piertoberfest: The German-style pageant on the St. Pete Pier has been postponed. An actual date hasn’t been picked however is predicted to be in October, a spokesperson stated. Discover updates and tickets at piertoberfest.com. $15, $75 VIP. Spa Seashore Park, 600 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.
SoHo Artwalk: Saturday’s SoHo Artwalk has been postponed. A brand new date and time is but to be decided.
Scream-A-Geddon: The Halloween scare park in Dade Metropolis shall be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. A spokesperson stated they are going to assess reopening for the weekend after the storm passes. The haunted homes, set on 20 acres within the backwoods of Pasco County, are at 27839 Saint Joe Street. screamageddon.com.
Tampa Bay Boat Present: The Tampa Bay Occasions has postponed the massive boating occasion, which is able to showcase space boat sellers and producers, with craft from yachts to cruisers, kayaks to standup paddle boards, together with a number of distributors for the newest in boating and fishing provides and equipment. It was beforehand scheduled to happen Friday by Sunday on the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. One other date has not been introduced. 727-893-8134.
Morean courses: The Morean Arts Heart in St. Petersburg has canceled courses at its amenities on Tuesday and Wednesday and stated there shall be make-up courses on the finish of the session.
R.I.S.E. and Shine Breakfast: United Manner Suncoast has postponed Tuesday’s inaugural R.I.S.E. and Shine Breakfast. Greater than 300 individuals had been anticipated to collect at Armature Works to listen to from United Manner Worldwide CEO Angela Williams and United Manner Suncoast CEO Jessica Muroff. Now the group is working with Armature Works to discover a new date, a spokesperson stated.
“We acknowledge that the group’s focus must be on storm preparation, together with getting ready shelters, securing properties and stocking up on provides,” Muroff stated. The group additionally introduced it can droop operations at its places of work by Thursday, however workforce members will monitor calls remotely from their properties.
If the storm impacts its five-county area, United Manner Suncoast additionally will work with companions to marshal volunteer assist. For data, see unitedwaysuncoast.org
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2022 Tampa Bay Occasions Hurricane Information
IT’S STORM SEASON: Prepare and keep knowledgeable at tampabay.com/hurricane.
RISING THREAT: Tampa Bay will flood. Here’s how to get ready.
DOUBLE-CHECK: Checklists for building all kinds of hurricane kits
PHONE IT IN: Use your smartphone to protect your data, documents and photos.
SELF-CARE: Protect your mental health during a hurricane.
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PART 2: Even weak hurricanes can cause huge storm surges. Experts say people don’t understand the risk.
PART 3: Tampa Bay has huge flood risk. What should we do about it?
INTERACTIVE MAP: Search your Tampa Bay neighborhood to see the hurricane flood risk.
