Gulfport’s waterfront bar and restaurant, O’Maddy’s, known for operating in the face of many storms, has closed its doors in advance of Hurricane Ian-related winds and storm surge.
Cathy Salustri
In advance of strong winds and possible storm surge, The Gabber Newspaper surveyed an eerily quiet downtown Gulfport, Florida. A lone fire alarm – City of Gulfport staff told The Gabber they suspect it came from the likely vacant Diplomat building in Town Shores – was the only human sound in downtown. Here are a few photos of what Gulfport looked like shortly before 9 a.m. on Sept. 28.
Hurricane Eddie’s, closed for the storm, in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
Scout Hall, as ready as it can be, in downtown Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
The Gulfport Casino in downtown Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
Steps from Boca Ciega Bay, Paw Paws Pet Boutique is boarded up in advance of Hurricane Ian. Shop owners have harsh words for the storm: “Bark Off Ian – No Treat For You!”
Cathy Salustri
Shops along Beach Boulevard, boarded up, in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
Gulfport History Museum in Gulfport, Florida
Cathy Salustri
Along the water in Gulfport, Florida, this vacant apartment building – possibly slated for redevelopment by a new owner – is boarded up against possible hurricane-force winds.
Cathy Salustri
Caddy’s in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
Shops along Beach Boulevard, boarded up, in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
Beach Boulevard, looking north, in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
Qi Crystal Energy, a shop on Gulfport, Florida’s Beach Boulevard, boarded up in advance of Hurricane Ian.
Cathy Salustri
O’Maddy’s, closed and braced for Hurricane Ian, in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
Chase Park in Gulfport, Florida
Cathy Salustri
Neptune Grill in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
No ice cream for Ian at Let It Be Ice Cream in Gulfport, Florida. The shop, on Gulfport’s popular Beach Boulevard, is steps from Boca Ciega Bay.
Cathy Salustri
A sign saying O’Maddy’s is closed in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
Williams Pier in Gulfport, Florida, closed in advance of Hurricane Ian.
Cathy Salustri
Beach Boulevard shops boarded up in advance of hurricane-force winds in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
Neptune Grill in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
O’Maddy’s in Gulfport, Florida, closed in advance of Hurricane Ian.
Cathy Salustri
The Tiki at Shore and 56th in Gulfport, Florida.
Cathy Salustri
Power outages will likely come to Gulfport; the question is when and for how long. Report outages in one of three ways: text OUT to 57801, report it online (be advised, Duke wants you to have your account number handy to do this, so get it now, while you can), or call Duke at 800-228-8485.
The City of Gulfport’s Information Call Center is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. until further notice. Call 727-893-1000 and you will speak with a live person. Pinellas County continues to operate its County Information Center. Reach the CIC at 727-464-4333. Hearing impaired accessibility: bit.ly/PinellasChat
Both Pinellas County and The Gabber newspaper encourage residents and visitors to get their forecast updates at the National Hurricane Center, which releases updated forecasts and advisories at 2 a.m., 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., and 11 p.m.
Team Gabber brought back the print version of the newspaper, and we’ve redesigned our website to make it easier for you to get the news. We’re not out of the woods yet, and every little bit helps pay our reporters, printer, and other expenses. Support local news and families — donate now to keep The Gabber Newspaper serving the community it loves!