While Clearwater Beach did experience the effects of Hurricane Ian in September 2022, it was fortunately spared from the catastrophic direct hit that devastated southwest Florida. The storm originally appeared to be heading directly for the Tampa Bay area, leading to mass evacuations across Pinellas County. However, Ian eventually made landfall near Cayo Costa, about 100 miles south of Clearwater, as a powerful Category 4 hurricane. Clearwater Beach saw significant tropical-storm-force winds, some coastal flooding, and sand displacement, but the structural damage was minimal compared to the near-total destruction seen in Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island. Most businesses in Clearwater were able to reopen within a few days of the storm's passing. This event serves as a reminder of the "High-Fidelity" risk management required for Florida travel; while Clearwater escaped major damage from Ian, the region remains highly vigilant during the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 – November 30), as even a "near miss" can lead to significant erosion and temporary closures of its world-famous white sandy beaches.