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These people braved massive waves for the 'gram

Hurricane Ian is on it's way to the west coast of Florida and is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane by Wednesday night,
Credit: Rob O'Neal/The Key West Citizen via AP
News crews, tourists and local residents take images as high waves from Hurricane Ian crash into the seawall at the Southernmost Point buoy, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Key West, Fla. Ian was forecast to strengthen even more over warm Gulf of Mexico waters, reaching top winds of 140 mph (225 kmh) as it approaches the Florida’s southwest coast. (Rob O'Neal/The Key West Citizen via AP)

KEY WEST, Fla. — High waves from Hurricane Ian began pummeling the sea walls in Key West on Tuesday.

But that didn't stop some people from going to the Southernmost Point buoy.

A surprising number of people were spotted posing for pictures in front of the massive crashing waves. Or maybe it's just surprising to me because that sounds like the last place I'd want to be during a hurricane. 

Credit: AP Photo/Mary Martin
Visitors to the Southernmost Point buoy brave the high waves from Hurricane Ian crash for photos, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Key West, Fla. Ian was forecast to strengthen even more over warm Gulf of Mexico waters, reaching top winds of 140 mph (225 kmh) as it approaches the Florida’s southwest coast. (AP Photo/Mary Martin)

A reporter with CBS Miami posted a video of people walking up to the buoy as water flows over the wall and around their feet.

She even captured this video of kids playing in the waves.

People watching the storm on the Southernmost Point webcam also posted screenshots of the crowd waiting for their perfect shot.

RELATED: Watch live: Florida webcams as Hurricane Ian approaches

Key West was under a tropical storm warning and storm surge watch throughout the day on Tuesday. 

According to the Hurricane Ian Joint Information Center for Monroe County, severe rain squalls with damaging wind are expected through Wednesday morning with possible storm surge flooding 1 to 3 feet above normal high tides in the keys.

Credit: Rob O'Neal/The Key West Citizen via AP
Visitors to the Southernmost Point buoy brave the high waves from Hurricane Ian crash for photos, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Key West, Fla. Ian was forecast to strengthen even more over warm Gulf of Mexico waters, reaching top winds of 140 mph (225 kmh) as it approaches the Florida’s southwest coast. (Rob O'Neal/The Key West Citizen via AP)

Ian is forecast to strengthen even more over warm Gulf of Mexico waters, reaching top winds of 140 mph as it approaches Florida’s southwest coast.

Hurricane and storm surge warnings are in effect for Tampa Bay ahead of increasingly likely impacts from Hurricane Ian. Significant impacts are anticipated — including major storm surge, damaging winds and flooding rainfall.

People living along and near the coast are urged to evacuate to safety. 

10 Tampa Bay is keeping you ahead of the storm: Download our free mobile app for real-time storm information and breaking alerts, and download 10 Tampa Bay+ on your Fire TV or Roku devices to stream live coverage. 

Several areas in the Tampa area have issued evacuation orders in anticipation of the storm's arrival.

Now is not the time to let your guard down. Make sure you have your plan in place and hurricane kit ready at hand. Check out our full list of hurricane hacks here.

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