Itโs never a good idea to get too comfortable during hurricane season in South Florida. Thereโs a reason we have the highest property insurance rates and risk in the country. Anyway, with Dorian, weโll be looking for updates every three hours for at least the next few days.ย
From the National Hurricane Centerโs Discussion points, we'll need to consider, "While uncertainty is high, wind and rain impacts are possible in the Bahamas and Florida later this week and this weekend. Residents in these areas should monitor the progress of Dorian and ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place".
Thatโs perhaps even more inconvenient heading into Labor Day weekend but itโs important. Plus, itโs not because it appears as though Dorian is going to be a major wind event for us. It doesnโt have to be. The number one cause of death and damage in storms is flooding, something weโre already prone to, and the top cause of death in Florida in recent decades has come after the storm passes. Thatโs why that's just as important to plan for as protection from wind and water on the front end. Weโve been relatively fortunate in South Florida since the brutal 04โ-05โ hurricane cycle. Remember, Irma was just a cat 1 hurricane for South-Eastern Florida and look at the extensive power outages and issues it caused. You also canโt judge a book by its cover. My family in Naples, three different homes, were in the direct path of Irma as a cat four. All four of them had power three days sooner than I did. Planning for power outages and the unknown can make life far more comfortable and potentially lifesaving in the most dangerous situations. Heed the Hurricane Centerโs advice. We tend to pay the most attention to wind speed, but it often isnโt the biggest issue we face with tropical systems.ย
Photo by: NOAA