Gulfport rides out Tropical Storm Colin -- literally

GULFPORT (FOX 13) - Tropical Storm Colin left parts of Gulfport flooded and blew seawater high into the air Monday. Shore Boulevard filled up by mid-afternoon Monday, up to two feet in some areas, while sand bags stood guard at front doors.

Daring drivers were no match for the rising water, keeping tow truck drivers soggy but busy.

Those living on boats had a rocky day on the water. A couple of them lost anchors and drifted ashore.

"I'm concerned about the people out there but they knew what was coming so you've just got to prepare," said Matt Bottorff. "I hope nobody gets hurt."

The powerful surf did attract plenty of cell phone cameras as neighbors got a closer look at the storm.

"Here we are in our little town of Gulfport watching it get all wet," said Dawn Marie.

Despite the whipping wind and a few broken umbrellas, people just saw it as another day in Florida.

"Nothing to it," said Michael Garcia. "It's kind of a calm storm. It's not a bad one. I've seen much worse than this."

The floodwater pushed seaweed and debris past the sidewalk, toward businesses. And, while some shut down as a precaution, others threw caution to the wind, in celebration the season.

"We are attempting to kayak right now. It's a little shallow, we are waiting for more rain actually," said Sawyer Bates from his kayak on Shore Boulevard.

In Gulfport style, people weren't about to let a tropical storm get them down.

"You've gotta make the best of it," said Bottorff. "There's no thunder, there's no lightning, we are not swimming in the water; we are just having a good time."