All articles tagged with #clearwater beach
Clearwater Beach in Pinellas County, Florida is expecting a record number of tourists for spring break, with visitors drawn to the sunny weather and beach atmosphere. Despite cooler temperatures, thousands of people have flocked to the area for vacation, with many opting for a more relaxed atmosphere compared to Miami Beach. Clearwater police have increased patrols to manage the crowds.
The 4-year-old son of Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson was critically injured after being hit by an SUV on Clearwater Beach. The boy, Toby Swanson, was struck by a valet driver's vehicle and airlifted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Erik Swanson has left the team to be with his family, and the boy remains in critical condition. The team's manager expressed support for the Swanson family, and the incident is under investigation by Clearwater police.
Tornadoes were reported in western Florida, causing damage near Clearwater Beach and Crystal River. The storms resulted in debris in the streets, a vehicle's windshield being pierced, roof damage, and downed power lines. No injuries were reported. Citrus County schools will be closed as a result of the damaging storms. Northern and central parts of Florida could experience more severe storms throughout the day.
The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa in Florida ignored an evacuation order issued by Pinellas County ahead of Hurricane Idalia and provided false information to guests, stating that there was no evacuation order in place. The hotel sent emails and slid notices under guests' doors, misinforming them about the situation. The Hyatt declined to explain their actions and deferred questions to local authorities. Clearwater Fire and Rescue's division chief of emergency management criticized the hotel's negligence, stating that they put people's lives in danger. The hotel was also found to have violated a longstanding rule that requires hotels built with additional density to evacuate guests when the National Weather Service issues a hurricane watch.