THe Angle of Landfall!

[chigger11]

If you live on the East coast or in the middle of the state, is it better to live on the north side or south side of this storm. I have heard that it is better to be on the North of the storm, but that makes no sense to me. Pros, could you please advise?

[TreasureIslandFLGal]

Not a pro, but certainly an "informed novice".

It is not so much a matter as being on the north or south side that makes the difference as much as being in the FRONT RIGHT QUADRANT.

Storms rotate counter clockwise and the front right quadrant of the storm is usually the most viscious, has the highest likelihood of producing tornados, and if typically pushes the most water along and in front of it for northern hemisphere hurricanes.

Generally you would like to be on the northwest side of the path when Wilma crosses through the state to get the least affects if you live on the West coast or interior. If you live on the East coast, then you may want to be on the south east side if you live near the water so that storm surge is less of an issue with offshore winds, even though that may have you closer to the right front quadrant.

[HurryKane]

North would be better. The most powerful quadrant is usually the right front quadrant (relative to forward motion) and this would be south or south east of the eye on the current projected path.

[Dr. Jonah Rainwater]

East Coast might get some bad bayside flooding on the barrier islands south of the center (ie, South Beach, East Palm Beach, etc), but other than that the East Coast's surge will all be to the north of the center. West Coast, you'll want to be north of the center or nowhere in Florida at all.