The knockout blow..?

[Josephine96]

I'm not trying to be a pessimist.. but I keep thinking this could be our knockout blow here..

Charley roughed us up. Frances destroyed a lot of our coast. The power grids inland are all messed up or are going to be all messed up.

This could get icky..

[Cookiely]

It's difficult to be optimistic at a time like this. All we can do is be prepared for whatever comes. Thank you for the great forecasts.

[Josephine96]

You are welcome cookie.. and I'm glad you think they're great 1's..

[debbiet]

Barring something apocalyptic I don't see another storm being a knock out for FL (or anywhere else for that matter)...terrible yes...deadly for some-problably...and definitely a tremendous problem...but I'm quite sure that FL and Floridians as well as the EC of the US are alot tougher than Jeanne is in the long run! Recall also that the entire east coast of the US has suffered tremendously too and had a much higher death toll than in Florida though no one would dispute your property, economic and emotional damage is incredible. Everyone is battered and bruised by this season for sure...but it won't be a knock out. Just my opinion.

[Josephine96]

Thank you Debbie.. I like to hear that

[ay]

Realistically, some people will move, but to where? Those people that move will be replaced by others. Perhaps the population growth levels off, but that wouldn't be a bad thing.

I'm guessing that real estate values will level off for a short period, but eventually be fine.

When you get down to it, Florida is a very desirable place to live. Great weather, no state income tax..etc. Personally, I have been thinking about moving to NC someday but after seeing what Ivan did to the western part of the state (where most of the vacation areas are) as well as Charlotte and Raleigh, I don't know if I feel much better about going up there either.

For all that has happened, we've been very fortunate in Tampa to only have had to deal with Frances and a little bit of Ivan. South Florida had problems with Frances, but it was more WPB and north that had the worst damage.

The panhandle is a different story. I'm sure many are having a rethink and are in for a very long 6-8 month process just to rehabilitate their homes.

But I'm not a big believer that one more storm is going to do much of anything to the state. People are much more resilient than that.

[cape_escape]

Realistically, some people will move, but to where? Those people that move will be replaced by others. Perhaps the population growth levels off, but that wouldn't be a bad thing.

I'm guessing that real estate values will level off for a short period, but eventually be fine.

When you get down to it, Florida is a very desirable place to live. Great weather, no state income tax..etc. Personally, I have been thinking about moving to NC someday but after seeing what Ivan did to the western part of the state (where most of the vacation areas are) as well as Charlotte and Raleigh, I don't know if I feel much better about going up there either.

For all that has happened, we've been very fortunate in Tampa to only have had to deal with Frances and a little bit of Ivan. South Florida had problems with Frances, but it was more WPB and north that had the worst damage.

The panhandle is a different story. I'm sure many are having a rethink and are in for a very long 6-8 month process just to rehabilitate their homes.

But I'm not a big believer that one more storm is going to do much of anything to the state. People are much more resilient than that.

What about the west coasters who had to deal with Charley, and all the poor places in the middle who got crossed by both Charley and Frances, and now maybe even Jeanne!

[StJoe]

I don't know how people can complain about SoFla! Just because we had a couple of Hurricanes, it is, to me at least, the most desirable state to live in. California has its earthquakes...The NE sucks with snow and now Terrorism... Midwest, please How 'bout Montana?

I think we all need to just take a chill and look at reality! Florida is the best!

[Aimless]

There are some good things

1) I won't have to worry about how to get the "hangers" out of my trees.
2) The power company has already trimmed most of the trees along the lines on my road - twice - so easier to reconnect.
3) I've actually really RAKED the yard for the first time in 6 years.
4) My Impatients are blooming like crazy now that the oak tree blocking their morning sun is gone.
5) My icky neighbors to the east of me really DID move out after Frances ( see there ARE good things )

[StJoe]

Unfortunately, I didn't get the oppurtunity for my neighbor to move. Maybe Jeanne will be the deciding factor!

[wolffeeder]

I don't know how people can complain about SoFla! Just because we had a couple of Hurricanes, it is, to me at least, the most desirable state to live in. California has its earthquakes...The NE sucks with snow and now Terrorism... Midwest, please How 'bout Montana?

I think we all need to just take a chill and look at reality! Florida is the best!

Montana, yes!!!

Montana is a favorite of mine, no hurricanes, only earthquakes, forest fires, blizards and a supervolcano to the south. But, far less of the irritating humans. Need a greenhouse for the orchids tho.

I was just talking to the lady who runs the church next door. She had no clue that Jeanne was on her way. Glad I told her. Anyway, being the church lady, she sugested god was trying to tell us something, and I suggested that it was "get out of Florida". That got a laugh out of her.

[kevin]

See, our society is weak. Big deal, another hurricane. Its not like our towns are getting shelled. Just a dumb opinion, take it as you will.

[Aslkahuna]

what Northern Luzon in the Philippines sees EVERY Year on average.

Steve

[jwelch5]

ay, yes, some people will move. But if insurance companies and the government deem these areas at greater risk, then rates will rise and only wealthier people will move back into these areas. Historically, when you look at areas that have repeated hazards, that is the trend, and that is as it should be. The wealthy can afford the risk, and insurance companies and governments who subsidize development in these areas for less wealthy people.... put those same people at risk economically.

[MGC]

I love Florida. Don't care how many canes hit there. I be there in October and November for vacation....MGC

[rocknole]

Central Florida and those of us over on the east coast have seen absolutely nothing compared to what SW Florida and the Panhandle have encountered.

[cat]

Hurricanes, by their nature, remove or kill what is weak - therefore in the long run making things better for each species (including man) that they impact.

Those people here in Florida who wind up moving somewhere else because they can't deal with the hurricanes anymore are making Florida a better place to live. The strong will stay. They will rebuild. This will also help develop communities.

I remember this happening after Andrew. Many people moved out, but those who stayed really rallied around each other and helped out.

This is the way of everything in nature. It takes an act of nature like a hurricane for us to realize sometimes that we aren't as removed from it as we think we are.

[Chuck Waters]

My wife and I have 3 kids and we're shooting for 4. I'd like 5 or 6 frankly. How is this relavent? Well, big houses might finally become affordable to me

Just keeping it light.