Realistically, the places that get “flattened” are beach areas or inland areas on tidal waterways like major rivers. The vast majority of after storm damage for folks is roof damage from wind and property damage from airborne debris.
This isn’t to downplay storms at all, but if you’re in a modern house (concrete construction, roof straps, raised lot elevation), not in the direct path of the eye, and not on the beach, your residence will likely be fine. Know your area, assess the risks, and make the choice safest for you.
Flooding is almost always the lethal part of these storms and that’s the purpose of the mandatory evacuations, it’s to prevent people from being trapped and forcing emergency responders to risk their lives needlessly.
You’re correct about the problem being flooding. The zones in Hillsborough county that were under evacuation orders were the low lying zones. I’m in one of those houses you speak of right now and Milton is currently about 50 miles away. I feel safe here. I know there may be some damage outside that I’ll have to fix, but I would have to do that regardless.
It probably also helps that my house isn’t in an evacuation zone, though there are houses in my neighborhood that are.
Realistically, the places that get “flattened” are beach areas or inland areas on tidal waterways like major rivers. The vast majority of after storm damage for folks is roof damage from wind and property damage from airborne debris.
This isn’t to downplay storms at all, but if you’re in a modern house (concrete construction, roof straps, raised lot elevation), not in the direct path of the eye, and not on the beach, your residence will likely be fine. Know your area, assess the risks, and make the choice safest for you.
Flooding is almost always the lethal part of these storms and that’s the purpose of the mandatory evacuations, it’s to prevent people from being trapped and forcing emergency responders to risk their lives needlessly.
You’re correct about the problem being flooding. The zones in Hillsborough county that were under evacuation orders were the low lying zones. I’m in one of those houses you speak of right now and Milton is currently about 50 miles away. I feel safe here. I know there may be some damage outside that I’ll have to fix, but I would have to do that regardless.
It probably also helps that my house isn’t in an evacuation zone, though there are houses in my neighborhood that are.
Sir the tornadoes would like a word with you.