CRYSTAL RIVER, FL (352today.com) – Coastal communities on Florida’s Nature Coast are already beginning to feel the impact of Hurricane Idalia as the storm spins northward. As of early Tuesday afternoon, rain from Idalia’s outer bands was falling and beginning to cover roads in low-lying areas like the city of Crystal River.

The city posted a photo on its Facebook page showing water rising over Kings Bay Drive and SE Paradise Point Rd. And, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office shared photos of the high tide rolling in – remarking that it was still the calm before the storm.

If manatees attract visitors to Crystal River, the threat of Idalia turns them away. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
Sandbags blocked the entrance to the Crystal River Welcome Center at the Visitors & Convention Bureau and the note on the door indicated they hoped Idalia would be gone and they could get back to business by Thursday morning. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
On Monday, Aug. 28, Idalia was already proving to be an unwelcome guest at the welcome center in Crystal River. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
A stout manatee statue provides a photo op for visitors stopping by the Crystal River welcome center. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
Ed’s Watch & Jewelry repair on U.S. Hwy 19 in Crystal River was in the process of boarding up on Monday, Aug. 28. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
Traffic flowed smoothly at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 19 and Citrus Ave. in downtown Crystal River on Monday, Aug. 28. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
Time stands still in downtown Crystal River’s business district where most shops and restaurants were already closed on Monday afternoon, Aug. 28, ahead of Idalia’s arrival. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
A pair of bronzed manatees at Crystal River’s town square greet visitors to the coastal community. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
Manatees attract tourists from near and far who want to explore the waters of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in hopes of an encounter with the slow-moving, aquatic mammals. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
A dapper manatee greets guests who check into the Crystal Manatee in Crystal River. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
The park at the Third Street Pier was noticeably quiet on Monday, Aug. 28, ahead of Hurricane Idalia’s projected landfall on Wednesday on the Nature Coast. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
The sign at the Roger Goettelmann Memorial Fishing Pier in Crystal River. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
The calm before the storm at the Roger Goettelmann Memorial Fishing Pier in Crystal River on Monday, Aug. 28. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
The water of Kings Bay is smooth as glass on Monday, Aug. 28, less than two days before Idalia’s forecasted landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
Several businesses offer adventures to experience Crystal River’s manatees. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Crystal River is the only wildlife refuge dedicated to the protection of the West Indian manatee. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
Manatee tour boats sit idle on Monday in Kings Bay. Excursions involving the aquatic mammals are a big part of Crystal River’s economy. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today
The docks over Kings Bay at the Roger Goettelmann Memorial Fishing Pier in Crystal River caution boaters to watch out for the community’s beloved manatees. Courtesy: Denise Vickers/352today

But just one day earlier, the gleeful grimaces of manatees – in the form of murals, statues, and sculptures – that dot the city scenery appeared unaffected by the impending threat from Idalia.

Crystal River touts itself as the manatee capital of the world. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Crystal River is the only wildlife refuge dedicated to the protection of the West Indian manatee. The warm Gulf waters and spring-fed rivers are an ideal habitat for the gentle creature. Crystal River is actually a network of about 40 natural springs originating in King’s Bay and emptying into the Gulf.

The manatees attract tourists from near and far who want to explore the waters of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in hopes of an encounter with the slow-moving, aquatic mammals.  Several businesses offer various excursions ranging from pontoon and paddleboard tours to adventures above water with kayaks or underwater with snorkels.

On Monday, Idalia was already proving to be an unwelcome guest in this tourist destination as businesses were boarding up or already closed in preparation for Idalia’s arrival. Sandbags blocked the entrance to the Crystal River Welcome Center at the Visitors & Convention Bureau and the note on the door indicated they hoped Idalia would be gone and they could get back to business by Thursday morning.

The area near the Roger Goettelmann Memorial Pier was mostly quiet Monday afternoon except for one group taking steps to protect a boat and one kayak company waiting for their clients to finish their cruise. The young man waiting to load their boats into the company van said he and his co-workers had spent the day securing their fleet.

A sign on the dock cautions boaters to watch out for their manatee friends, we can only hope Idalia will be kind to this community.