Florida forumites Best of luck

They've used up all their Hurricane names this year. Wilma being the last name.

It could still go in any direction. Some people are predicting Cat 4 when it reaches land. And a central pressure of 954 has been reported!


.
 
We returned to Florida yesterday after 3 months away and look what's on the way - probably the most intense hurricane (884mb) ever recorded. It looks like it's going to turn E, towards us once it enters the Gulf of Mex. We are making evacuation preparations. And Taf, please don't tell me it's NOT a hurricane /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Yeah, Good luck guys. Fingers crossed it'll blow itself out.

Serious question, how does it work living in Florida?
Do you have insurance against the house (and everything in it) and boat getting sucked up in a storm? And if so, does it cost a fortune?

The reason I ask is that it's always been a dream of mine to move to Florida. I'd love a place on the gulf coast, but I'm put off by all the hurricanes. Especially the fact that it seems to be increasing in frequency and ferocity.

Cheers.
Chris.
 
Chris - in FL there are 3 types of insurance for the home: Home/contents, windstorm and flood. The first two may be combined into one policy and is not expensive, but there may be a high deductible in the cast of a windstorm - as much as 2% of the value of the property. Flood insurance is covered by the Federal Government, but purchased through an insurance agent. Again, it's not expensive - ours is about $1000 and we are 100 yds from Sarasota Bay and 1/4 mile from the Gulf. Again, a high deductible (excess) my be charged. The problems usuallly arise when claims are made as the insurance companies are pretty hard-nosed. Homeowners are always advised to keep a video copy of structures and contents for insurance purposes.
AS for the boat, I've just been and checked it's as secure as can be with double mooring lines. The insurance for an 11 year-old boat worth now about $85k is $1300 p.a. including hurricane coverage and $500 deductible.
 
We are right on the intercoastal and only yards from the sea, so I understand that the insurance is pretty high. But the owner of the house doesn't really care as he purchased the house just for the place to park the boat. So rather than give someone the $12,000 a month to moor the boat he spends that money on a property thats going up in value!!! Makes Sense!!!
As for the insurance on the boat, we have extra cover for being inside the hurricane belt, but the excess is a crazy $50,000
When Katrina hit, it was a cat 1 hurricane and the boat sat there like nothing was happening at all, the biggest problem here is the surge!! anything more than 4 feet at high tide brings the boat over the dock and you can imagine what would happen in a 12 foot surge.

I've considered buying a house here but really think that these hurricanes are getting worse and the people here aren't very nice. I'd rather build a house down in the islands. below 12 degrees 04 is outside the hurricane belt so alot safer.......... but nobody told that to Ivan last year when it flattened Grenada. OK Perhaps the canary islands is looking good!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
OK Perhaps the canary islands is looking good!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably not. A Canary Island volcano is due to fall into the sea and swamp East coast of US.

Anyway, hang on to your hat until Wilma blows over.
 
Thanks Guys. The Insurance doesn't sound that bad I Guess.
Although an excess of $500 for Arthur and $50,000 for NorthernWave is a bit of a difference /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif . You're not insuring the QE2 by any chance NW? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

FYI, there's a good Hurricane tracker on here.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7845030
You never know but Wilma might not go all the way. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I just can't stop thinking about the Flintstones. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Fingers still crossed.
 
I take it you haven't looked at the pics NorthenWave has been posting of the boat he skippers under rebuild. It's not suprising there is a large difference, they are two entirely different boats
 
[ QUOTE ]
I take it you haven't looked at the pics NorthenWave has been posting of the boat he skippers under rebuild. It's not suprising there is a large difference, they are two entirely different boats

[/ QUOTE ]I have now. (Just tracked them down) /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif DAYUM !!! That IS the QE2. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Very nice NW. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Just walked along our newly replenished beach ( cost >$20 million) with lovely white sand and saw the leading edge of Wilma out over the Gulf. Looks like the sky from War of the Worlds, but we had a very spectacular sunset as we sat sipping our cocktails at the Colony Resort beach bar. Everyone here is waiting and watching to see which way she will go after bashing Mexico. We shall make our decision re evacuation tomorrow. The interstate 75 is already jammed solid as people from further S head away from the storm. Ah, the perils of Paradise /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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