(AP) — For the first time in a century, Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg appear to be the most likely target for the first direct hit by a major hurricane since 1921. 

The National Hurricane Center is predicting storm surge in Tampa Bay and surrounding waters of between 5 and 10 feet above normal tide conditions and rainfall of between 10 and 15 inches because of Hurricane Ian.

Officials in the area began issuing evacuation orders Monday for a wide swath of Tampa, with the St. Petersburg area soon to follow. The evacuations could affect 300,000 people or more in Hillsborough County alone.

The last time Tampa Bay was hit by a major storm was Oct. 25, 1921.

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