Irma changed the shape of the ocean, sucking water away near the Bahamas coastline

A temporary event that shows the hurricane’s strength

A temporary event that shows the hurricane’s strength

On an uncertain and crazy path, Hurricane Irma -even temporarily- changed the shape of the ocean! The waters were pulled away for many meters, and the unprecedented phenomenon was observed in some islands in the Bahamas, as well as in Florida’s coastline and the Gulf of Mexico. At St. Petersburg’s marina, the boats looked as if they have crashed on a reef.

Angela Fritz, Washington Post meteorologist, explains that the hurricane’s strength and its low pressure are responsible for this rare sight. ‘Basically, Hurricane Irma is so strong and its pressure is so low, it’s sucking water from its surroundings into the core of the storm, where water is drawn upward.’ The phenomenon was this time even more intense, as before Irma’s arrival at Tampa’s coastline, the winds were blowing from the north to the east, shoving the water away from the shore. However, the situation will be restored as the storm moves on.

Source: Washington Post