Hurricanes (Tallahassee, Fort Myers: condos, house, construction)

[kroeran]

So if you are in a Cat 5 rated house/condo built under the newer codes, and far enough inland to be in a low risk surge/flood zone, how does that work when a hurricane is coming?

What do normal people do? head north? hunker down and ride it out? Do people get caught in their cars stuck in traffic trying to get out?

[BakinMama]

When Charlie came, my husband and his family headed to Tallahassee. However - they do NOT live in a CAT 5 rated home. Their home was built 30 years ago and is completely wood framed. It sustained considerable damage from Charlie and it was probably best that we left.

My family and I live in a newer home (not sure of the rating) but my daughters and I would leave if we were facing a Cat 4 or higher. They are too little to ride out a storm like that. Unfortunately, my husband usually must stay behind. He works as SM at a local home improvement store and must usually be there to supervise, deal with customers, etc. They get crazy when a storm is on its way.

[StilltheSame]

Cat 5's are rare - its more likely to see a 2 or 3. We had a very inland, new hurricane home and although I never evacuated - i would have to think about it for a Cat 5 - though I think under the newer codes - with a generator and as long as you are not in a flood zone and otherwise well prepared you would make it through. I would think you would have to be ready to be pretty self sufficient for at least a couple of weeks though (gas, water, food).

[Dreamy46]

Originally Posted by kroeran

So if you are in a Cat 5 rated house/condo built under the newer codes, and far enough inland to be in a low risk surge/flood zone, how does that work when a hurricane is coming?

What do normal people do? head north? hunker down and ride it out? Do people get caught in their cars stuck in traffic trying to get out?

Are you saying those condos you live in are CAT 5 rated? Or are you referring to another home?

[Ruby24]

Originally Posted by kroeran

So if you are in a Cat 5 rated house/condo built under the newer codes, and far enough inland to be in a low risk surge/flood zone, how does that work when a hurricane is coming?

What do normal people do? head north? hunker down and ride it out? Do people get caught in their cars stuck in traffic trying to get out?

I am new to the area, but unlike tornadoes you usually have a couple of days notice about where a hurricane is headed.

If a cat 5 was going to make a dircet hit on the Ft Myers area I would get my pets, my important papers, try and protect my belongings best I could and try and get out of the path of the storm.

The problem with that is getting back in I suppose.

What's worse is a sneaky tornado you have no warning for. My mother in law's house on the cape was severely damaged 2 years ago. She was watching TV and the roof blew off!

[kroeran]

Originally Posted by Dreamy46

Are you saying those condos you live in are CAT 5 rated? Or are you referring to another home?

I was led to believe that Paseo, like all construction built under the post Andrew codes, is built to Cat 5? please clarify if I am misunderstanding

I guess I am interested in anything specifically pertaining to my neighbourhood, if that is what you mean,...but was more interested in a general discussion of what inland people do in new-code homes out of reach of surge.

The slough is right there of course, and maybe a lot of rain could be problematic.

I see now that a forecast of a 3 vs 4 vs 5 makes a lot of difference as to how you would react, and that preparation for being without electric is key

I think the surge from a cat 5 could reach the 75?

[BakinMama]

Originally Posted by Ruby24

I am new to the area, but unlike tornadoes you usually have a couple of days notice about where a hurricane is headed.

If a cat 5 was going to make a dircet hit on the Ft Myers area I would get my pets, my important papers, try and protect my belongings best I could and try and get out of the path of the storm.

The problem with that is getting back in I suppose.

What's worse is a sneaky tornado you have no warning for. My mother in law's house on the cape was severely damaged 2 years ago. She was watching TV and the roof blew off!

Tornadoes are my worst nightmare! If there is a bad storm late at night, I just lay in bed waiting to hear that "train sound" people always talk about! My friends and family in TX always ask me how I can live here with hurricanes... but I would take a hurricane over a tornado any day. At least you have some warning!

[Dreamy46]

Originally Posted by kroeran

I was led to believe that Paseo, like all construction built under the post Andrew codes, is built to Cat 5? please clarify if I am misunderstanding

I guess I am interested in anything specifically pertaining to my neighbourhood, if that is what you mean,...but was more interested in a general discussion of what inland people do in new-code homes out of reach of surge.

The slough is right there of course, and maybe a lot of rain could be problematic.

I see now that a forecast of a 3 vs 4 vs 5 makes a lot of difference as to how you would react, and that preparation for being without electric is key

I think the surge from a cat 5 could reach the 75?

I have no idea what the construction codes are? That's why I was asking you.

What is the FEMA flood zone designation for your community?

[Dreamy46]

Originally Posted by kroeran

I was led to believe that Paseo, like all construction built under the post Andrew codes, is built to Cat 5? please clarify if I am misunderstanding

I guess I am interested in anything specifically pertaining to my neighbourhood, if that is what you mean,...but was more interested in a general discussion of what inland people do in new-code homes out of reach of surge.

The slough is right there of course, and maybe a lot of rain could be problematic.

I see now that a forecast of a 3 vs 4 vs 5 makes a lot of difference as to how you would react, and that preparation for being without electric is key

I think the surge from a cat 5 could reach the 75?

I looked up your Paseo Fort Myers condo development on FEMA.

It says you are flood zone AE (providing I did it right, which I'm pretty sure I did).

Definition of AE: "An area inundated by 100-year flooding, for which BFEs have been determined."

Flood Zone Definitions (http://www.floodinsights.com/floodlookups/floodzon.htm - broken link)

[Dreamy46]

Originally Posted by Dreamy46

I looked up your Paseo Fort Myers condo development on FEMA.

It says you are flood zone AE (providing I did it right, which I'm pretty sure I did).

Definition of AE: "An area inundated by 100-year flooding, for which BFEs have been determined."

Flood Zone Definitions (http://www.floodinsights.com/floodlookups/floodzon.htm - broken link)

Here's the other map panel: