sinkholes and tornadoes (Miami, Tampa, Orlando: insurance, house, inspection)

[Cathte]

Okay, new concerns before we move to Orlando from Long Island....I am stressing over sinkholes and tornadoes. Do these two natural disasters make homeowner's insurance jump up a lot more than average? Does the seller have to disclose if the house is on or had a sinkhole issue? What do people without basements do in the event of a tornado?
Thanks!

[OTownKnight]

Tornadoes in Orlando are extremely rare. The only case we would experience these for the most part is as a result of a hurricane, which is the main reason why Florida homeowner insurance is so expensive. The hurricanes are the ones doing the most damage, and sometimes the storms are able to spin off tornadoes. As far as an everyday occurrence, we certainly don't have to worry about them like they do in Kansas, Oklahoma, etc.

Homeowners have to disclose any known problems like a sinkhole. I personally don't know how common or frequent this issue is in Central FL though.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by OTownKnight

Homeowners have to disclose any known problems like a sinkhole. I personally don't know how common or frequent this issue is in Central FL though.

Supposedly Orange, Seminole and Lake Counties are "sinkhole prone" but it doesn't seem to be a frequent occurrence from what I have seen.

[Cathte]

thanks. I notice the closer to Orlando, the more sinkholes are on the map. so I guess I'll venture further away from Orlando! ��.....

[EngGirl]

Sinkholes are all over the Florida. You will be lucky to find an insurance that will cover sinkhole damage other than catastrophic one.
Sellers only have to disclose what they know.
Confirmed sinkhole means costly engineering inspection AND geotech testing. All cost money. If I am a seller and not sure cracks I have are due to normal house settlement or sinkhole, I would prefer not to find out. Times when insurance was paying for repairs related to "sinkholes" are in the past. I used quote marks because the majority of these old claims had nothing to do with actual sinkhole activities.
Tornadoes are not that common.

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by Cathte

Okay, new concerns before we move to Orlando from Long Island....I am stressing over sinkholes and tornadoes. Do these two natural disasters make homeowner's insurance jump up a lot more than average? Does the seller have to disclose if the house is on or had a sinkhole issue? What do people without basements do in the event of a tornado?
Thanks!

Florida has no access to the Earth core. If you dig in Florida eventually you will hit WATER. Sinkholes are way of life in Florida.

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by OTownKnight

Tornadoes in Orlando are extremely rare. The only case we would experience these for the most part is as a result of a hurricane, which is the main reason why Florida homeowner insurance is so expensive. The hurricanes are the ones doing the most damage, and sometimes the storms are able to spin off tornadoes. As far as an everyday occurrence, we certainly don't have to worry about them like they do in Kansas, Oklahoma, etc.

Homeowners have to disclose any known problems like a sinkhole. I personally don't know how common or frequent this issue is in Central FL though.

I think of the main 4 metros in the state of Florida, Orlando is most at risk for sink holes. Miami and Tampa Bay for hurricanes.

[MyITGuy]

Actually, west of Orlando is known for Sinkholes (I.E. Lakeland to Tampa, then north).

Personally, I haven't been concerned with Sinkholes, especially knowing that there isn't a standard definition (I.E. 1 foot vs house swallowing)

If you have a property in mind, check out Florida Sinkhole Locations | Earth Tech

[HokieGCC]

It is limestone thickness and depth related. The thick and deep limestone (where the big sinkholes develop) are closer to Tampa. The further south and east you go the smaller the sinkholes are.

There is technology (SONAR, LIDAR) that can be used to measure and perhaps find them but I am not sure how common it is for someone to test their property.

If I were moving to S. Florida I wouldn't give it a second thought. Orlando- yea I would check into. Between Orlando and Tampa - probably have it tested and have insurance.

Interesting reading linked:

https://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/...ole_poster.pdf
https://www.newstalkflorida.com/news...saic-sinkhole/

[Cathte]

Thanks ! Will check out the links....and remain calm.