Too Many Complacent People in South Florida

[gatorcane]

What people see in S. Florida is a paradise right now. Large Tropical Palms, clear aqua blue waters, and large towering buildings everywhere. BUT that is because the 60s-present have been RELATIVELY quiet for South Florida as far as direct hits.....if you look at the 1920s through 1950s there is no paradise here whatsoever...in fact it was a warzone here many of those years....I hope we are not going to experience that again as some people are suggesting...I love it here

[gatorcane]

During the 40 years from 1921 through 1960, a total of 26 hurricanes hit the Florida Peninsula, generally south of a line from around Cedar Key on the Gulf Coast to Daytona Beach on the Atlantic Coast.

Of these, 15 hit the Atlantic Coast and Keys from around Fort Pierce south to Key West. The National Hurricane Center's listing of the 26 hurricanes says that 11 were "major" with winds of 110 mph of faster.

In contrast, during the 43 years from 1961 through the 2003 season, only 12 hurricanes, including two major storms, hit the Florida Peninsula south of the Cedar Key-Daytona Beach line.

[gatorcane]

I dont understand...nobody is worried here but me...well when a CAT 4 is heading towards Broward County I hope you read what I have said. It's coming South Florida...it's just a matter of time.

[StormChasr]

Oh, as I have oft times said, Florida will be hit by storms, much as Cape Hatteras has. That is normal, and natural. I would NOT bet on getting slammed year after year--what many believe is that last year was a fluke, and 4 landfalls should NOT be considered normal. Even in a sub-active year, Florida has been hit. Hurricanes are the NORM for Florida, and always have been--especially for Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties. IT doesn't even take a "major" to cause trouble. A good NorEaster, or heavy tropical storm could do significant damage. So, I'd be vigilant, but not panicky---have the hurricane kit ready, and follow any evac notices that are issued.

[gatorcane]

yes StormChasr I agree....preparation is important but how many people are preparing for hurricanes now? They are too busy buying beachfront property in downtown Palm Beach, Ft. Laudedale, and Miami....I would say S. Florida gets all of the hype because it's an ironic situation. It's one of the most populated areas of the East coast yet it's one of the most hurricane-prone areas. But the last 50+ years has been relatively quiet...

[kevin]

I have a reinforced concrete home. I am 40 miles from the gulf, 60 miles from the Atlantic. We have diesel, we have a D3 bulldozer, a farm tractor, an excavator, a pto driven generator. And above all else we have me, the one who can through his magical powers keep the homestead safe from all storms.

What me worry?

[gatorcane]

Many homes in Palm Beach/Broward/Dade/Monroe are not as good as yours...a cat 3+ comes through here and this area is a wasteland....building codes are not being followed properly in my opinion.....

[gatorcane]

here's the problem....the developer's are rushing their plans so they can make a quick buck. All of these condos and townhomes that are going up are going up too fast in my opinion. When a hurricane comes through here (and it will soon)...there's going to be a lot of lawsuits.

[Scorpion]

I agree. I have seen many homes rushed to completion in just one month. My house took over 4 months. It obviously will survive better I think in a Cat 5. I will only be worried about the storm surge or if the winds are 150 kt.

[kevin]

I'm in the construction business. A house can be built in 1 month if all the inspections pass and the builder is a competent fellow with good crews. 1 month from the building of the pad that is, as getting permits can take the better part of a month. For a 1800 sq ft home I would say 2 months is doing pretty good in terms of speed. On the other hand I have seen shoddy construction (for Florida at least, still pretty good) take over a year on a 3000 sq ft home.

Scorpion, I'm guessing your home is reinforced concrete walls. Those will stand through a Cat 5 in my guess. Your roof won't though. It will only take so much before the wind catches underneath and tears it off.

[JPmia]

Your points are well taken about the dangers of complacency down here in South Florida. I would invite some of you to read the Florida Building Codes and any of your County's supplemental regulations. Our codes have improved greatly since Andrew and continue to improve every year. In fact, I live in a home built in 1961 and based on what I know about the current codes I would prefer to live in a home built in 2005! Homes built in South Florida today are required to meet some of the most restrictive wind-loading requirements in the country i.e., 140-150mph. That is not to say that the current codes need improvement, they do. In my opinion, the complacency lies with the individual and their inability to plan for the season with hurricane supplies and protection.