I should note that the Potential Storm Surge Flooding Map I included in that post was from the 5pm advisory. Only now has the 11pm map shown up. I should also reiterate that the Tampa Bay area, and now the Gulf coast in my area, don't show the risk the storm poses in the coming twelve hours when it comes to surge. Even just north of the Tampa Bay area, the risk in the product doesn't match what the NHC is saying in the Peak Storm Surge Forecast graphic:
Closer to landfall the Potential Storm Surge Flooding Map does properly show catastrophic storm surge in areas.
The water is starting to rise in my area now and will continue throughout the morning. Even though the worst weather is mostly done in my area, the surge will be a threat.
Later in the morning I'll get some video when the water where I am gets higher than it probably ever has before in modern times, maybe since 1921 when the last major hurricane landfall near Tampa Bay occurred. People are likely going to be really surprised at how deep it gets after the storm has passed here.