As Floridians keep a close watch on hurricane updates and gather supplies in anticipation of potential storms, some yearn for the sweet comfort of the Hurricane cakes once sold by Publix Bakeries.

The colorful confections were decorated to resemble a swirling storm.

An online petition at Change.org is asking Publix to  “Bring Back Hurricane Cakes.”

“The Hurricane cakes sold by Publix Supermarkets have long been a source of comfort during stormy times - quite literally. Every year, as the hurricane season would roll around, these special cakes provided a glimmer of pleasure amidst the tension of pre-storm preparations,” wrote petition starter Jason Franklin.

“For many of us, the memories of hunkering down at home during massive storms are marked not only by worry, but also by the shared experience of enjoying these cakes in our candle-lit living rooms, as we waited for the power to come back. It may sound simple, but these cakes transformed nerve-wracking days into bearable moments of respite.

“However, this tradition has inexplicably ceased, and we find ourselves facing stormy weather without our beloved Hurricane cakes. We are grieving, not just the loss of a product, but the loss of a shared tradition that made turbulent times a little bit easier to handle.

“Despite the emotional attachment and the demand, there has been no official statement from Publix Supermarkets explaining the discontinuation of these cakes. This lack of transparency adds to our disappointment.

“We ask Publix Supermarkets to reconsider this decision and to reimplement the production and sale of Hurricane cakes, thereby keeping alive a vital tradition of solace during storm season. Bring back our beloved Hurricane cakes – and a sense of community that they represent.

“Your signature can help us restore a piece of savoriness amidst stormy times. Please sign this petition if you’d like to see Hurricane cakes back on the shelves of Publix Supermarkets.”

The petition was posted online at www.change.org on Aug. 10. As of Aug. 21, it has 33,130 signatures.