Hurricane and floods (just moved in) (Tampa, Brandon: real estate, insurance, credit)

[RisingSun333]

For those living in Tampa Bay for years or longer, it may be almost annoying to hear new commers talking about hurricanes and floods oever and over. But, I would great appreciate your kind advice!

[1] I tried to pay attention to what houses are made out of, when I think of hurricane mitigation stratagy. When you look at the real estate websites, they use the word "block" and stacco". I'm sure these are strong than wooden buildings. Are theses materials stronger than "stones"? What about "asphault"?

[2] There's a Huricane evacuation zone map available (in the area close to the water). My unstanding is the a hurricane can directly hit any part of the cities and If the hurricane approaches your way, you need to physically evacuate out of there. What's the meaning of setting "hurricane evacuations zones"? Is it talking about flood water surge from the gulf/bay?

[3] When you look at the topological map (the one showing the altitude of the place) and the flood map, I see almost all the flood zones are in low altitude. For example. in Brandon (where I live), the altitude is about 20-30, and as we got west, for exmplae, on Lamsden, the altitude goes up to 50 by Kings-Parsons and 75 by Valrico Rd. And the whole bunch of Valrico area looks dry (No flood zones) because of the altitude (75-100). Does this mean, it's safer to live in Valrico than Brandon, in term of flood damage?

Thanks!

[Tecnica_swift]

Based on your question #3 Yes higher elevation provides better flood damage you kinda answered your own question.

[honu1]

I'm getting ready to move to Tampa myself. I found this map online of the evacuation zones.

http://www.socom.mil/Hurricane/Maps/hur-map-hills.pdf

[summergal]

Originally Posted by RisingSun333

For those living in Tampa Bay for years or longer, it may be almost annoying to hear new commers talking about hurricanes and floods oever and over. But, I would great appreciate your kind advice!

[1] I tried to pay attention to what houses are made out of, when I think of hurricane mitigation stratagy. When you look at the real estate websites, they use the word "block" and stacco". I'm sure these are strong than wooden buildings. Are theses materials stronger than "stones"? What about "asphault"?

As far a building materials go in general, block will withstand hurricane damage the best as it is the "hardest" material and most resistant to wind and windblown objects hitting it. Wood frame homes not so well. Another factor is the foundation. Some wood homes are raised, some are built on a concrete slab foundation. Of course the age of the house is also a factor... older homes may not have the extra bracing on the roof trussing, newer are more likely and of course brand new should be up to the new codes. Another thing to think about are carports. A house with the roof continuing over the carport is at more risk than one without this type of roof configuration.

Stucco can be over block or wood frame. It's truly like frosting on a cake. It would be very wise to definately KNOW what is under it. There are many old wood homes that had termite damage that were stucco'ed to improve (mask) the original look. During the recent RE "boom", investers were buying up the old wood homes and doing exactly this to hide the damage so they could flip them.

[2] There's a Huricane evacuation zone map available (in the area close to the water). My unstanding is the a hurricane can directly hit any part of the cities and If the hurricane approaches your way, you need to physically evacuate out of there. What's the meaning of setting "hurricane evacuations zones"? Is it talking about flood water surge from the gulf/bay?

Mostly the zones do refer to flooding from the surge and "low" areas that are prone to flooding. However even if you are in a high area but you have a retention pond or drainage "canal" or ditch very close to you, flooding is still a possibility. Yes the zones mean to physically leave.

[3] When you look at the topological map (the one showing the altitude of the place) and the flood map, I see almost all the flood zones are in low altitude. For example. in Brandon (where I live), the altitude is about 20-30, and as we got west, for exmplae, on Lamsden, the altitude goes up to 50 by Kings-Parsons and 75 by Valrico Rd. And the whole bunch of Valrico area looks dry (No flood zones) because of the altitude (75-100). Does this mean, it's safer to live in Valrico than Brandon, in term of flood damage?

Thanks!

Yes for flooding due to the surge, but you still can get flooded if near a drainage type structure due to all the rain. Does being "high and dry" mean you're completely free from trouble, not exactly. My home is a 1950's wood, surrounded by many huge old trees, in the non-evac zone... > cat3 hurricane we're leaving! LOL Wind is our foe. We'd rather not risk getting squashed! LMAO

[BGF]

Honu1, nice find. I have the map book marked now.

[Mozart271]

Asphalt (?) is usually what they pave the roads with, although in a home I suspect it is water resistant. I think block homes are stronger as a rule, but be sure if your home was built years ago, it has the proper roof strapping etc to be up to code.

The hurricane evac zones are mainly due to flooding, I believe. The first zones to flood are called "A" then they go to "E", depending on the height the water needs to rise in the bay, and in turn the river, to cause flooding. Generally in case of a hurricane you need to have some sort of radio or TV on hand that uses batteries (or invest in a generator)--they will tell you if and when your zone must be evacuated.

[Nomadicus]

Unless it is a direct hit by an upper level storm hurricanes themselves don't bother me as much as the tornadoes they can spawn. And then the flash floods. Be sure and know the best evac routes away from flooding. I've gone through 4 big hurricanes. In an older frame home with 3 and a block house for the first. Donna, Charlie, Jeanne, Francis. The storms were serious. Loss of life was sad. Biggest problem is we go so long without one and them the big one hits like Charlie did. Your ?'s are not annoying at all. Stay safe. You can learn alot form this site. It's a good place to monitor hurricanes.

National Hurricane Center

[stpeteguy]

You want a block home.

Wood carries higher insurance costs, termite issues, and is not as good in a major storm as block.

[bentlebee]

Houses build after 2003 or something close to that year are build to withhold a Hurricane 3,and insurances will give you a credit for that, so cheaper to insure.