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Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It’s Terrifying

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Last week, Hurricane Irma shocked the world by decimating the island nations of the Caribbean. Now that the powerful storm has made landfall in the US and the Bahamas, a terrifying rare phenomenon is occurring that has left residents in absolute disbelief – and it could be the sign of something much worse to come.

Tropical force winds have already left more than 2.6 million homes without power, but those winds have started blowing toward the center of the storm, and have consequentially drawn the waters of beaches in both Florida and the Bahamas away from their shores. According to Washington Post weather editor Angela Fritz, Irma’s low pressure is the cause, which acts as a “sucking mechanism — it sucks the air into it, and when it’s really low, it can change the shape of the surface of the ocean.” The sight is definitely bizarre, but it’s also worrying. When a shoreline recedes enough to reveal the ocean floor, it’s often a sign that the water will rush back rapidly with destructive momentum.

The environmental impact of Irma is already being felt by Floridians, both human and animal alike. Two manatees had to be rescued yesterday after the low tide left them stuck in mud and unable to return to the ocean. Follow the entire story below, and find out how you can help here.

Hurricane Irma has reached Florida and the Bahamas, and a rare phenomenon is taking place in both places

Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

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Image credits: deejayeasya

Beaches have become ‘dry’ as tropical winds have pulled their ocean tides far away from the shore

Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

Image credits: deejayeasya

Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

Image credits: Piznack

This is due to the storm’s low pressure, which acts as a “sucking mechanism” according to weather specialists

Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

Image credits: keonavanessa

Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

Image credits: jillianmele

Two of Florida’s marine residents recently felt the already-worrying environmental impacts of Irma

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Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

Image credits: ManateeSheriff

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Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

Image credits: Marcelo Clavijo

Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

Image credits: Marcelo Clavijo

Irma Makes The Ocean Disappear From Florida And Bahamas Beaches And It's Terrifying

Image credits: Marcelo Clavijo

One Bahamian forecaster took to Facebook to explain the bizarre sight in greater detail

hurricane-irma-sucks-ocean-away-bahamas-florida-22

hurricane-irma-sucks-ocean-away-bahamas-florida-23

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hurricane-irma-sucks-ocean-away-bahamas-florida-24

If you still can’t believe it, see it for yourself on video below:

If you are in an area currently affected by Hurricane Irma, please follow the guidance of all relevant authorities. Find out how you can help the victims here.

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What do you think ?

John L 7 years ago

Saving those two Manatee was a wonderful act of kindness, and helped preserve their dwindling numbers. This alone should be a major story, all on its own.

74points

EmptySoul 7 years ago

No matter how big the tragedy is, its amazing to see, that good people will always come out and help others, be it other humans or animals. No doubt they have their own sorrows to cope with, but still they are their to say "we are here, don't worry." Awesome.

31points

Zori the degu 7 years ago

There's only one good thing about hurricanes: they unite people and heroes are born out of them, heroes like the people you described, who would help whenever someone's in need.

17points

Load More Replies...

Zori the degu 7 years ago

That's plainly weird. I've never seen anything like that before. I wonder how long would it take for the ocean to return in the destructive way, described above? Days? Weeks? I do hope scientists would be able to predict it on time because those poor people already went through many awful things in a really short time. By the way, it's awesome that they managed to safe the two manatees because order Sirenia is critically endangered worldwide and every specimen of these unusual sea "mermaids" is priceless.

10points

Tiari 7 years ago

Look at footage from the 2004 tsunami. You can find the same effect there, the water was sucked away from he shores, although for different reasons.

2points

Load More Replies...

Vlad Horobet 7 years ago

I wonder if the water will come back suddenly with force and high waves or slowly. This is an amazing phenomena.

5points

John L 7 years ago

My understanding is that it will not return with force, but more gradual, just as it left earlier.

9points

Load More Replies...

Daria B 7 years ago

Hope it won't return in the form of a huge a*s tsunami. But at this point, it's better to be prepared.

2points

Christine Musal 7 years ago

It comes back with force. I have seen it, it's called storm surge and it kills more people than the hurricane itself.

0points

Cat Meow 7 years ago

What wonderful human beings! I hope they and everyone else who stayed in Irma's path is safe. As for the water: Goes to show how powerful Irma is/was. It's rarely been documented that a hurricane could do this.

4points

Johnrolce 7 years ago

There is no global warming...

3points

Vanessica Bloxgirl 7 years ago

From a beautiful land to a dry depressing one, I have got to admit up what the people did to save the manatees is amazing as they are endangered.. It's sad that there will be more hurricanes soon.. I hope this place flourishes.

3points

Zori the degu 7 years ago

I have the distinct impression that you got down-voted because people didn't get your point, your sentences' contents are a bit confusing...

5points

Load More Replies...

Min Lee 7 years ago

The time has come... Now is the time for unity

2points

Jenny Draughon 7 years ago

Its called a surge it's. Not extremely rare like the article says. People from other places just don't know or hear about it.

0points

Load More Replies...

Lidee Moril 7 years ago

Too bad for the Floridans, but at least America has the funds to build everything up again, unless your much loved president spends all that money on that stupid and useless wall. I care more for the victims of the South Asian floods......the people that lack a voice because everyone is so focused on a country that's able to care for itself (especially with its current president).

1point

Roseann Madia 7 years ago

this is not the first time this has happened.. i experienced it in the early 90's with a hurricane on Tampa Bay, while in Longboat Key. The shoreline was sucked out about half a mile, but then it returned a few days post storm

1point

Ronald Ferreira 7 years ago

wheres the tresures

0points

Roman Cathrin 7 years ago

Beautiful story to save the Manatee as it looks so worn out from the storm. How did they manage to get it to deep enough water? I am not familiar with the water requirements for these special mammals. I hope they can be saved.

0points

endelbendel 7 years ago

You can get swallowed by that muck.

0points

Anna Salerno 7 years ago

This is an amazing phenomenon. I have never even heard of this before!

0points

Charles Laster 7 years ago

Eerie sight!

0points

Graviti Eddings 7 years ago

I can't stop crying cos of the manatees they look so sad

0points

Dexter Gumbs 7 years ago

these is the signs of times to come its a wake up call to everybody in the world today- at any given mopment irt can have a tidal wave(tsunami) between bahamas and florida we done know.and mother name could have a surprise in store of us human biens in the world today we just got to be on de alert if nature act up again

0points

Gabriel Espinosa 7 years ago

What's so terrifying? It's a natural phenomenon. This is not anything supernatural. Don't listen to these fools. This is typical cyclonic behavior. Irma was so powerful she was sucking ocean water up into her cyclonic activity as she passed by the shorelines, of course the water would begin to recede, but it came right back after the Old hag passed on.

0points

Karen Naylor 7 years ago

AM THANKFUL FOR THE CREATURES THEY SAVED BUT THIS ARTICLE HAS LEFT ME WITH QUESTIONS. LIKE WHEN WILL THE WATER BE BACK? IF IT COMES BACK AS A WAVE IT IS GOING TO BE ONE VERY TALL WAVE. (CAPS ARE EASIER FOR MY CRIPPLED HANDS TO TYPE WITH)

0points

Izamar Hernandez 7 years ago

I think it has something to do with the plate tectonics

0points

Karen Naylor 7 years ago

BLESS YOUR HEARTS.

0points

Jenny Draughon 7 years ago

It's called a surge...it isn't really rare either I'm from Florida and it happens with the storms it sucks it out like a tsunami then pushes it back in. That's why people say they're worried about the surge cus the ocean water comes pushing it's way through the cities

0points

Tih Nicastro 7 years ago

I would never walk on the empty ocean floor!

0points

TC 7 years ago

I know people can say that weather is changing. And it is. Wether climate is a serious issue today. I hope international politicians realise. Especially those from Texas and New York...

-2points

Lúthien Sîrfalas 7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Almedin Bostan 7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Jenny Draughon 7 years ago

That happens all over. Lots of people getting killed and dying. Not just over there and not just Muslims

0points

Load More Replies...

John L 7 years ago

Saving those two Manatee was a wonderful act of kindness, and helped preserve their dwindling numbers. This alone should be a major story, all on its own.

74points

EmptySoul 7 years ago

No matter how big the tragedy is, its amazing to see, that good people will always come out and help others, be it other humans or animals. No doubt they have their own sorrows to cope with, but still they are their to say "we are here, don't worry." Awesome.

31points

Zori the degu 7 years ago

There's only one good thing about hurricanes: they unite people and heroes are born out of them, heroes like the people you described, who would help whenever someone's in need.

17points

Load More Replies...

Zori the degu 7 years ago

That's plainly weird. I've never seen anything like that before. I wonder how long would it take for the ocean to return in the destructive way, described above? Days? Weeks? I do hope scientists would be able to predict it on time because those poor people already went through many awful things in a really short time. By the way, it's awesome that they managed to safe the two manatees because order Sirenia is critically endangered worldwide and every specimen of these unusual sea "mermaids" is priceless.

10points

Tiari 7 years ago

Look at footage from the 2004 tsunami. You can find the same effect there, the water was sucked away from he shores, although for different reasons.

2points

Load More Replies...

Vlad Horobet 7 years ago

I wonder if the water will come back suddenly with force and high waves or slowly. This is an amazing phenomena.

5points

John L 7 years ago

My understanding is that it will not return with force, but more gradual, just as it left earlier.

9points

Load More Replies...

Daria B 7 years ago

Hope it won't return in the form of a huge a*s tsunami. But at this point, it's better to be prepared.

2points

Christine Musal 7 years ago

It comes back with force. I have seen it, it's called storm surge and it kills more people than the hurricane itself.

0points

Cat Meow 7 years ago

What wonderful human beings! I hope they and everyone else who stayed in Irma's path is safe. As for the water: Goes to show how powerful Irma is/was. It's rarely been documented that a hurricane could do this.

4points

Johnrolce 7 years ago

There is no global warming...

3points

Vanessica Bloxgirl 7 years ago

From a beautiful land to a dry depressing one, I have got to admit up what the people did to save the manatees is amazing as they are endangered.. It's sad that there will be more hurricanes soon.. I hope this place flourishes.

3points

Zori the degu 7 years ago

I have the distinct impression that you got down-voted because people didn't get your point, your sentences' contents are a bit confusing...

5points

Load More Replies...

Min Lee 7 years ago

The time has come... Now is the time for unity

2points

Jenny Draughon 7 years ago

Its called a surge it's. Not extremely rare like the article says. People from other places just don't know or hear about it.

0points

Load More Replies...

Lidee Moril 7 years ago

Too bad for the Floridans, but at least America has the funds to build everything up again, unless your much loved president spends all that money on that stupid and useless wall. I care more for the victims of the South Asian floods......the people that lack a voice because everyone is so focused on a country that's able to care for itself (especially with its current president).

1point

Roseann Madia 7 years ago

this is not the first time this has happened.. i experienced it in the early 90's with a hurricane on Tampa Bay, while in Longboat Key. The shoreline was sucked out about half a mile, but then it returned a few days post storm

1point

Ronald Ferreira 7 years ago

wheres the tresures

0points

Roman Cathrin 7 years ago

Beautiful story to save the Manatee as it looks so worn out from the storm. How did they manage to get it to deep enough water? I am not familiar with the water requirements for these special mammals. I hope they can be saved.

0points

endelbendel 7 years ago

You can get swallowed by that muck.

0points

Anna Salerno 7 years ago

This is an amazing phenomenon. I have never even heard of this before!

0points

Charles Laster 7 years ago

Eerie sight!

0points

Graviti Eddings 7 years ago

I can't stop crying cos of the manatees they look so sad

0points

Dexter Gumbs 7 years ago

these is the signs of times to come its a wake up call to everybody in the world today- at any given mopment irt can have a tidal wave(tsunami) between bahamas and florida we done know.and mother name could have a surprise in store of us human biens in the world today we just got to be on de alert if nature act up again

0points

Gabriel Espinosa 7 years ago

What's so terrifying? It's a natural phenomenon. This is not anything supernatural. Don't listen to these fools. This is typical cyclonic behavior. Irma was so powerful she was sucking ocean water up into her cyclonic activity as she passed by the shorelines, of course the water would begin to recede, but it came right back after the Old hag passed on.

0points

Karen Naylor 7 years ago

AM THANKFUL FOR THE CREATURES THEY SAVED BUT THIS ARTICLE HAS LEFT ME WITH QUESTIONS. LIKE WHEN WILL THE WATER BE BACK? IF IT COMES BACK AS A WAVE IT IS GOING TO BE ONE VERY TALL WAVE. (CAPS ARE EASIER FOR MY CRIPPLED HANDS TO TYPE WITH)

0points

Izamar Hernandez 7 years ago

I think it has something to do with the plate tectonics

0points

Karen Naylor 7 years ago

BLESS YOUR HEARTS.

0points

Jenny Draughon 7 years ago

It's called a surge...it isn't really rare either I'm from Florida and it happens with the storms it sucks it out like a tsunami then pushes it back in. That's why people say they're worried about the surge cus the ocean water comes pushing it's way through the cities

0points

Tih Nicastro 7 years ago

I would never walk on the empty ocean floor!

0points

TC 7 years ago

I know people can say that weather is changing. And it is. Wether climate is a serious issue today. I hope international politicians realise. Especially those from Texas and New York...

-2points

Lúthien Sîrfalas 7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Almedin Bostan 7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Jenny Draughon 7 years ago

That happens all over. Lots of people getting killed and dying. Not just over there and not just Muslims

0points

Load More Replies...

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