How safe do you feel in Florida...

[flhurricaneguy]

i moved here 3 years ago and last year i went through the brunt of jeanne and frances and i still love florida, the tropics keeps it intersting.

[dizzyfish]

Born and raised in Tampa (except for a short stay in Pompano Beach) moved 2 years ago to New Port Richey (rural, not by the coast).
I love Florida. The mosquitos and love bugs bother me more than the hurricanes do.
Been through a lot of hurricanes and TS's - just stay prepared. I actually thought the west coast might get one this year - may still - who knows.

Peace

[NastyCat4]

I think that this year proved that ANY area in the coast is vulnerable to Hurricanes. Statistically, the Outer Banks, and the Louisiana coast have received more hits than South Florida. Look at Katrina and Rita--two of the most powerful storms hammering in history hammering Louisiana/Texas.

Yes, Florida is subject to hurricanes. So is Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina. In rare instances, even New England has had 'canes. The biggest doomsday senario is a direct hit on New York. So, everyone who lives on the coast should fear hurricanes.

[caribepr]

I think that this year proved that ANY area in the coast is vulnerable to Hurricanes. Statistically, the Outer Banks, and the Louisiana coast have received more hits than South Florida. Look at Katrina and Rita--two of the most powerful storms hammering in history hammering Louisiana/Texas.

Yes, Florida is subject to hurricanes. So is Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina. In rare instances, even New England has had 'canes. The biggest doomsday senario is a direct hit on New York. So, everyone who lives on the coast should fear hurricanes.

Good points. Except I would use the word "respect" rather than fear...

[mascpa]

Lived in Florida my entire life and feel extremely safe. In the event of a major heading directly at me, I feel that proper planning and preparation will minimze the impacts.

[seaswing]

Florida born and raised. Lived here all my life. I am a bit more inland than you but it didn't help too much when the hurricanes rolled through last year. I feel very safe here and one more note: Florida's disaster response has been proven. After Hurricane Andrew in '92, we learned some lessons and the help came fast last year. I wouldn't leave this state unless it sunk....

[aquaholic901]

I'm another Tampa native. Hurricanes don't worry me much at all, its the real estate developers that have me ready to leave. I miss the old FL...

[artist]

having come from TX and tornados I realize that just about anywhere you live you have some type of weather to deal with. At least with hurricanes there are warnings far in advance. It is up to you to be prepared and if you are too close to the coast then move a little inland if that would make you feel better. I waited for years to get here permanently and will never leave on my own accord!

[CentralFlGal]

Cool - many native Floridians on this board! We had our "anchor baby" here 5 years ago, so we're semi-native now

We've been living in Florida for 10 years, and last year was our first experience with hurricanes. With advance notice and proper preparation, you either get through it or evacuate. DH mentioned that shoveling snow wasn't such a bad idea while cleaning up after the third storm, but he got over it. We feel safe here and can't imagine another place to live.

Another poster pointed out that there are hazards inherent to *any* place you decide to move to. So true.

[arkess7]

im born and raised in orlando but have been here in ocala for 2 years now....but of course we are inland..but...if a hurricane does come at ya....just evacuate inland....and your very smart to stock up on hurricane provisions too.....yea i feel safe....its all ive ever known........just get ready for the heat and the mosiquitos!!!!! st. pete is beautiful .....im sure you will love it there!!!

[CentralFlGal]

I'm another Tampa native. Hurricanes don't worry me much at all, its the real estate developers that have me ready to leave. I miss the old FL...

It's very sad to think that the developers' vision is a concrete slab from the panhandle to Key West... I guess it's easy to do when the family farms go to the heirs who get talked out of the land for a wad of cash (financial necessities and indifferences are preyed upon).

I learned a few years ago that the Highlands Ridge (backbone of Florida which basically parallels 27 and hosts Bok Tower) is an ancient desert that contains plant and animal species indigenous to the deserts of the SW United States. Developers are grabbing up that property left and right.

And to think we still haven't uncovered de Leon's fountain of youth in the midst of all this development. Last night's X-files (yes, still can't resist watching them a million times over) was the episode that took place in Leon County, FL with the weird tree/human/monster that ate the surveyors as they marked the location of a Blockbuster in the middle of the woods. Things that make you go "Hrmmm."

[FloridaDiver]

Even after loosing everything on 92 during Andrew’s visit, and dealing with the 2004 season and most resent, Katrina and Rita, I still feel very safe and would never leave South Florida. My job, family and friends are here and as an avid scuba diver I can’t think of a better place to live here in the States then South Florida to enjoy my favorite pastime…

[tornadochaser86]

Florida its a disaster waiting to hapen notice how almost all the hurricanes and tropical storms that developed have hit florida only amatter of time before florida gets hit by a big one

[tornadochaser86]

born in VA hard to believe we were hit by a hurricane Isabel

[arkess7]

Florida its a disaster waiting to hapen notice how almost all the hurricanes and tropical storms that developed have hit florida only amatter of time before florida gets hit by a big one

oh gee.....THANKS ALOT....... WHATEVER

[Frank2]

Despite my experience with Hurricane Andrew, I still feel safe here in Florida, as far as hurricanes are concerned, but, as far as possible man-made issues, that's another story...

What worries me is the logistics of having 15 million people living on what amounts to a 350x90-mile three-sided island. When my family and I first moved to Miami in the Winter of 1969-70, only (only) 6 million people lived in Florida, or about today's population of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

During the tourist season, the state population at any given time probably rises to near 20 million - logistically, it's a real problem if an emergency requires mass evacuation - in the past month we've seen what happens when too many try to flee at the same time.

Everyone has a right to move here, but, not enough planning has taken place to allow for limited development - most developers and politicans do not care enough to think of the consequences that years of neglect will bring.

Frank

[WeatherEmperor]

I feel pretty good here in south florida altough the Miami traffic would be enough to send me packing to the west coast of South Florida. Naples sounds nice....

<RICKY>

[O Town]

Well put Frank. I agree. They deffinatley need to think about things such as this. But money rules, sad as it is. Not to get off topic to much but it was just like with all the new subdivisons going up here in central FL. They where building these subdivisons and had no where to school all the children that where moving in. They finally past a bill which says they have to take that into consideration when building new developments.

As far as feeling safe. I have been here my whole life and have never felt unsafe, mind you I don't live on the coast but when a cat 4 such as Charley came right over my house, it had weakened some but still caused significant damge in town, I still feel safe. Living in this great state I love so much, far outwieghs the chances of a hurricane directly hitting me.

[FloridaDiver]

{snip}....Everyone has a right to move here, but, not enough planning has taken place to allow for limited development - most developers and politicans do not care enough to think of the consequences that years of neglect will bring.
Frank

As a Native Floridian and ex-resident of the Florida Key’s I agree with your comment 100%. It’s amazing how quickly developments are springing up next to the ocean, especial in the Key’s, example, Holiday Isles, home of the famous Tiki Bar, a Key’s mainstay for years will be bulldozed over and become.. what else.. water front Condo’s. There is absolutely no planning for the inevitable; a “Katrina” like event, a direct hit of a well populated area. One would think that after Andrew, Florida would learn a very important lesson. Unfortunately, politician and developers are in the same league, the greed of money outweighs common sense, over develop the land, put more people next to the water and wait for the disaster to happen…

[WeatherEmperor]

{snip}....Everyone has a right to move here, but, not enough planning has taken place to allow for limited development - most developers and politicans do not care enough to think of the consequences that years of neglect will bring.
Frank

As a Native Floridian and ex-resident of the Florida Key’s I agree with your comment 100%. It’s amazing how quickly developments are springing up next to the ocean, especial in the Key’s, example, Holiday Isles, home of the famous Tiki Bar, a Key’s mainstay for years will be bulldozed over and become.. what else.. water front Condo’s. There is absolutely no planning for the inevitable; a “Katrina” like event, a direct hit of a well populated area. One would think that after Andrew, Florida would learn a very important lesson. Unfortunately, politician and developers are in the same league, the greed of money outweighs common sense, over develop the land, put more people next to the water and wait for the disaster to happen…

I agree with you. Its really sad.

<RICKY>