What side of Florida is safer to live in ? (Miami: relocating, home)

[jaxnolefan]

I grew up on Panama City Beach and believe me we had our share of hurricanes. I understand that 2003 was not a good year for Fla due to hurricanes however when was the last time we got three major storms in a season? Exactly! One bad season and the insurance industry goes nuts...like they aren't still making billions!!! Now all Floridians will have to pay for that season for a long time...like the rates will ever decrease!! Don't let hurricanes steer you from Florida. There is aot to be said about the weather and the peopel of Florida. If you like Floida then move here...and BE HAPPY!

[Kappy]

Originally Posted by Norrisrose2

good advice tallrick... we are from NJ and plan on moving to port cahrlotte area in the next year or so

I moved from Jersey & was told that there hasen't been anything major in 30 years in central Florida. One week after I moved in WHAM - Charlie & friends moved in. Just don't follow me around and you'll be okay

[ngeter]

Which is more likely to get hit with hurricanes? I'm looking to relocate but don't wish to lose everything when I do.

[CraftLadyKim]

Hurricanes are not the problem, it's the mini tornados that do the most destruction. Venice, FL middle of the westcoast (Home of the Venice Indians) I was told - the Indians came to Venice to live because they knew it was a safe place to live in, the Intercoastal also give protection to the area as well. Venice was just named one of the Top 10 Places to Retire by US News and World Report as well as the local Herald-Tribune. Definitely a beautiful small City to live in and safe at that! Check out City-data

[mquintana]

There is no side of Fl. as everyone has said because hurricanes are unpredictable. But I know here in the Tampa Bay area, we get less than the southeast and southwest. You can always move to Central or North Florida where they get the least activity.

[edotabin]

The real issue is that is only takes one. You can't really go on stats.

Hurricanes do lose some of their power over land but Florida isn't really
wide enough to accomplish this fully. If a hurricane hits at 135 mph
and goes across the state it will come out at 110-115 mph.
This depends greatly on the size of the storm as well as the actual path
it follows. Overall, however, do not expect a hurricane to go from "life threatening" to a "nice breeze" because it crossed over Florida.

I am in Boca and Wilma was a pretty rough ride. My folks live in a condo here.
All concrete structure. I slept right through Wilma.

[Beth Anthony]

I live mid state in Ocala, Florida. I have lived here for 34 years and so far we have never had a direct hit. There have been a few scares with a couple of storms in recent years. The worst we endured was a loss of power for a few days and screened enlosures for pools were damaged, a few shingles off of roofs. Not a bad price to pay for the enjoyment of living in Florida!

[deflinn]

I live in ocala florida and we faired very well during the hurricanes it is in the center and the hurricanes slow down as they go over land.

[upstate31410]

Originally Posted by ssg II

"Marineland" was built where it was based on studies which determined that it was the most "hurricane-proof" coastline of Florida.

Maybe there's an expert among us, but from what I understand, the gulf stream does have a major influence, therefore making the "First Coast" the safest.

It's called the South Atlantic bight, which is the landward curvature of the coast from Cape Canaveral, FL to Cape Fear, NC. As the First Coast is at a point in FL that is the farthest to the west of Cape Canaveral, it is the least susceptible to landfalling hurricanes. The least susceptable place overall within the bight? Brunswick, GA.

[tcs1366]

Originally Posted by firemed

What side of Florida is safer ? Thats easy, The top on the east coast. Fernandina Beach area and History will show thats the least hit area.

I have to admit... i have not read the entire thread yet [only got thru page2]

but - for years,DH and I have tossed around the idea of moving to FLA. He love heat and humidity [I hate it] but i could live there Oct - April no problem.

now for hurricanes.... we met a lady who lives in North Fort Myers
and she told us that it is one of the safest cities where hurricanes are concerned.... i have forgotten her reasons for saying so though.

well -- i jsut googled it and found this
http://www.hurricanecity.com/city/fortmyers.htm

guess they do get them....

we'd still love to move there some day and do the "snow bird thing"