Florida has many natural challenges that often leave visitors standing on their toes.
I didn’t consider such situations when I planned living in the state.
I like Florida beyond its challenges with natural disasters because of the many exciting things that happen around it.
Are Florida Tornadoes Rare?
No.
in Florida.
Compared to any other state in the US,
Florida
has a questionable feature of having a higher frequency of tornadoes per 10,000 square miles.
Although tornadoes can hit anywhere in the US, some areas in this nation are more susceptible to being hit in a year.
According to data from the Storm Events Database compiled by NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, the number of tornadoes recorded by every state in an average year is based on the period.
For all 50 states in the US annually, the average
tornado count is highest in the heart of Tornado Alley
, which is located in the central and southern plains.
Surprisingly,
Florida has the natural advantage of being protected from powerful tornadoes
that have greatly affected other southern states.
Things to Know About Tornadoes
The formation of tornadoes occur when fronts (either cold or warm) collide.
This, in turn, produces severe weather.
One of the most common results of this is thunderstorms.
Furthermore, changes in pressure and temperature can come together to form a tornado.
Tornadoes can last for minutes and result in devastating winds of 100 mph to an extreme of 300 mph.
States such as Louisiana and Mississippi can suffer from cold fronts, which lead to tornadoes.
These fronts usually lose much of their power once they get to Central Florida.
Thanks to the warm temperature of the gulf, the momentum of cold air that causes tornadoes is reduced.
However, I don’t think I have gotten used to the news of tornadoes.
Each time I hear that tornado is on its way, I feel panicky despite experiencing other weather issues.
Florida suffers from tornadoes frequently
.
In fact, the only difference between Alabama or Oklahoma and Florida is that they suffer far fewer tornadoes per event.
Meanwhile, I am careful about the
hurricane season that begins on June 1 because of the devastation that often
happens.
In 2022, I ran away from the state when Hurricane Ian happened.
The experience is not worth remembering.
Storms are usually followed by storms as they make landfall.
The scariest thing about a hurricane is having another hazard being tangled up in it and this is why hurricane induced tornadoes are very dangerous.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was predicted to be an extremely active one.
Because of this, residents were advised to have more tornado watches and warnings in the year.
A tornado watch is simply a period where conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes in an area.
During this time, I start looking for shelter or take precautions according to the weather service.
If a potential twister has been detected or reported, a tornado warning is then issued.
In the advent of a tornado watch or warning, I join other residents to seek shelter at the center of our homes.
There is no need for an underground shelter.
I know about friends who live in manufactured housing units.
However, these units are really not at risk of getting hit by the tornado.
Instead, the problem lies in how these units are being anchored to the ground.
Once the anchors fail, there could be very fatal consequences.
For any tornado experience in Florida, a strong storm shelter is not necessary.
The main thing I do is to put walls to protect you from the outside.
What part of Florida has the least hurricanes and tornadoes?
Northeast Florida has the least tornadoes and hurricanes situations.
The region has recorded about 26 hurricanes in total including a single category 4 since the scale was brought into use 167 years ago.
This simply means that on average, Northeast Florida gets attacked by a hurricane in 6.
5 years or so.
Florida is so susceptible to hurricanes thanks to its position in the country.
It is located in the southeastern part and is quite close to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
In 1851, Florida recorded 120 hurricanes out of the total number experienced in the country.
It has even been estimated that nearly 41% of these hurricanes that happen in the US make landfall in Florida.
If you plan on moving to Florida, it is important to
know the smallest and most hurricane
susceptible areas.
You should also have prior knowledge of the hurricane
season in Florida
so that you can know the things to expect and what to do during this time.
What parts of Florida are least affected by hurricanes?
Palakta, Lake City, Leeburg, Sanford, and Orlando are the least affected by hurricanes.
The coasts of Florida are generally beautiful areas to live outside of the hurricane season but the central and northeastern parts of Florida are safer from storm events.
If you’re thinking of moving to Florida, I have listed some of the areas that are safe during hurricanes.
Palatka
In Florida, Palatka happens to be the safest city from hurricanes.
It is a tiny town located
just inland from St Augustine
and situated on the St Johns River.
Although the city is relatively small, it has value 10,500 inhabitants and is blessed with a very lively culture and plenty of activities that its residents can engage in.
Lake City
Lake city is located in the northern central region of
Florida and is the second safest city in Florida with over 12,000 residents
.
This city has lower risks of flooding and experiencing tropical storms.
Leesburg
Situated in
Orlando
, Leesburg is among the safest and most secure cities.
It is also a famous destination for retirees and has about 23,000 residents.
Not only is this city safe from hurricanes, it has low chances of being affected by flooding and tropical storms.
Orlando
When it comes to hurricanes, Orlando is one of the safest cities to look out for when searching for hurricane safe cities.
Here, you’ll find the
world famous theme park —Walt Disney
World.
While in Orlando, there is a very low chance of experiencing a tropical storm or flooding and you’ll also enjoy the urban experience the city has to offer.
Sanford
Sanford is situated in central Florida and is also one of the cities that are very safe
from hurricanes
.
Located some distance in the north of Orlando, this city has over 60,000 residents and has a historic town which has now been recently redeveloped to a more vibrant region.