A resident places wooden boards to protect a house in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Monday. Juan Manuel Barrero Bueno/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesOfficials in St. Petersburg, Florida, are warning residents about storm surge from Hurricane Idalia. “We are preparing as if we could get a direct hit,” Rob Gerdes, administrator for St. Petersburg, during a press conference. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch cautioned his citizens that after Idalia potentially passes over the community, the danger will not be over. And even when it is past us we are still going to see storm surge,” Welch said.

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Persons: Juan Manuel Barrero Bueno, Rob Gerdes, Ken Welch, ” Welch, Crews, ” Jeff Baker Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Idalia, St, Petersburg, Duke Energy, Census Locations: St . Petersburg , Florida, Petersburg, Idalia, Tampa, St, St . Petersburg, Midwest