Hurricane Season 2012
Hurricane Season 2012
Hurricane season comes to a close this year with Hurricane Sandy engulfing the North East. To better inform travelers, residents and those interested in investing or moving to Miami, here is some information to consider when living in South Florida during the Atlantic hurricane season.
Officially, according to the National Hurricane Center, the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, but as the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) notes: "There is nothing magical in these dates, and hurricanes have occurred outside of these six months, but these dates were selected to encompass over 97% of tropical activity."
Peak season varies by geography. In the Eastern Caribbean and along the U.S. East Coast, the season tends to be busiest between mid-August and mid-September. In the Western Caribbean, it picks up in mid-September and stretches into early November. Early-and-late season hurricanes (June and mid-to-late-November respectively) are rare but not unheard of.
An “average” hurricane season means we can expect 8-11 tropical storms; of these 5-7 could develop into full-fledged hurricanes. Note, however, that not all hurricanes strike land.
Officially categorized as a “post-tropical cyclone,” Hurricane Sandy is now being referred to as “Super Storm Sandy.” And with good reason: Even before the storm hit, early reports forecasted a devastating, “unprecedented” storm. Landfall coincided with lunar high tides and fierce winds caused storm surges that brought the sea crashing through homes, businesses and infrastructure.
In Florida, all buildings and homes are now constructed to withstand the storms; it is a fact that investing in hurricane-resistant measures increases a home’s value. Residents who invest in hurricane-resistant doors and windows experience less damage, file fewer and lower insurance claims and are open for business or back in their homes sooner than those that do not. Research techniques are being incorporated in the construction and re-construction of homes/condos all around Miami.
University of Florida has a Hurricane House in Fort Lauderdale that helps both builders and the public learn how to build or retrofit homes to be more damage resistant in severe hurricanes. The home was built to withstand winds of more than 140 mph and shows that it’s possible to build a house that can survive a category four or five hurricane.
As hurricane season comes to an end, it is important to be informed and aware of this time of year. This however, shouldn’t deter you from traveling to South Florida or investing here.
We have many beautiful properties available on Miami Beach. We also just launched our newest project, 619 Meridian, located in South Beach. But, if you’d prefer being further from the waters, we have other great properties to offer in greater Miami to accommodate you as well.
Sources:
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/hurricane-sandy-smashes-the-north-east-trucking/
http://magazine.ufl.edu/2012/01/hurricane-house-surviving-the-storm/
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