Just What Florida Needs....Hurricane Jeanne

[Sean in New Orleans]

Economy in Florida is already taking a beating. Jeanne will just make things worse and could be the icing on the cake for this year. I'm taking a short vacation in October and plan on spending my money in Florida...this state needs us to spend money there, bad. The tourism industry is a fickle market and in a few short weeks tens of thousands of jobs could be eliminated just that quick. I understand...I used to work in this industry when I was younger. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6083302/

[Doc Seminole]

That's awesome..... and you are correct, I would say hundreds of jobs already lost in Volusia County (Daytona Beach/Ormond Beach) A lot of folks here are depending on Biketoberfest to pull them out or it is going to be curtains here for at least awhile.

[Windy]

The greatest impact will be in the increased insurance rates. This will impact the economy in many ways; it will make Florida much less attractive for buisnesses, for one. Buisnesses that do set up shop will have to pass the cost down to the customer. Residental will probably be impacted the worst; unless the gubbermint provides some serious subsidizing in the insurance sector, I doubt a lot of people are going to feel as enchanted living in Florida with the new 300% + increase in homeowners insurance rates. This is two active tropical seasons in a row, and insurance companies make money by playing the odds. After four hurricanes into Florida in a row, I suspect their projections will reflect an increased hurricane risk... and guess who gets to pay for it?

[Sean in New Orleans]

You know, they said that the Florida storms will likely even increase the homeowners insurance in New Orleans since we, too, are susceptible to these hurricanes. Just the fact that the insurance companies are witnessing what is happening in Florida, they are going to give themselves more of a cushion here in New Orleans, and I'm sure in other areas along the coasts--particularly the Gulf South, IMO---and probably the Carolinas.

[FLAgirl]

Not only insurance, but can you imagine the people who will be selling their homes to leave Florida? With so many houses on the market, the real estate values will go down. Considerably. That combined with the increase cost of insurance will drive our real estate prices from this all time high it is currently experiencing to an all time low. I've been in real estate for 20+ years, so trust me, it's not good for us property holders in FLA.

And refinancing for lower rates - forget about it.

[NC George]

It's affecting my spending money in Florida this weekend: I was going to go to the Dolphins/Steelers game, but now I probably won't unless they move it back a day, especially since my hotel is right on the ocean in Broward County and I likely wouldn't have a room for tomorrow night even if I made the drive (fortunately my job allows me a flexible schedule.) Even then it will be iffy, as I have to go down I-95.

[Sean in New Orleans]

It's affecting my spending money in Florida this weekend: I was going to go to the Dolphins/Steelers game, but now I probably won't unless they move it back a day, especially since my hotel is right on the ocean in Broward County and I likely wouldn't have a room for tomorrow night even if I made the drive (fortunately my job allows me a flexible schedule.) Even then it will be iffy, as I have to go down I-95.

From the looks of the storm today and it's path...they may need to do some quick diversifying of the economy in Florida...tourism is shot...it'll be nothing, now, until next Spring, with the media all over Jeanne and the increased devastation that it appears the system may cause. I hope no more roads go out. This is just unbelievable how this is happening to Florida. One of my favorite places in the entire US is being ruined this year. God Bless Everyone in Florida!

[azsnowman]

My 2 cents here.......no one made mention of the agricultural disaster, orange, grapefruit, lemon crops have been destroyed along with the cotton, soybeans and peanuts crops in Alabama.

Dennis