Other Threats Besides Wind for Pennisular Florida

[Downdraft]

Often overlooked but equally important to consider are the other threats to pennisular Florida from a landfalling tropical system arriving from the Gulf side. While much of Florida has been experiencing drought conditions and capacity is fair to good for most retention systems the type of rainfall this system could produce could far exceed the ability of the systems to handle it. Flooding would be a major concern. Secondly, and the graver threat is the notorious history of Gulf side tropical systems to produce tornado outbreaks across the pennisula. NWS Melbourne has some excellent reference papers listed on their website for tropical system tornadogenisis on the Florida pennisula. If the present track verifies I would expect a significant tornado threat developing across Florida long before the system itself makes landfall.

[kevin]

Where I live in Marion county, a flood is impossible. I haven't seen anything come close, the sand soaks everything up.

[gatorcane]

Yes, good points. CAT 1-2 conditions are no picnic. Wilma was the third costliest hurricane in history and it only gave CAT 1-2 conditions to metro South Florida....

So we should not underestimate even a CAT 1. Tornadoes could be possible, gusty winds, and flooding in flood-prone areas. I think you covered all of it.

[Downdraft]

Where I live in Seminole County a flood is a major threat from the St. John's River.