• CHOPSTEEQ@lemmy.ml
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    1 month ago

    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.

      • CHOPSTEEQ@lemmy.ml
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        1 month ago

        I’ve been here for every hurricane in the last 30+ years and this is the first one I’ve been alerted for tornadoes in my area, and the first time anyone I know has even seen one.

        Like I said, I’m not downplaying this shit, but historically when you’re talking about hurricanes that affect the entire state, most people are not hit by the tornadoes.

    • signalsayge@lemm.ee
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      1 month ago

      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.

      • CHOPSTEEQ@lemmy.ml
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        1 month ago

        That’s my feeling too, and for Ian it was beneficial that I stayed because I was able to mitigate a leak that certainly would’ve ruined my house if I hadn’t been there.

        We’re always in a mandatory evacuation B zone, but we’re several miles inland and our lot is 18ft above sea level, our street never floods. Place is just built different I guess.

        Stay safe, friend!