I live in the Panhandle, on some of the most beautiful beaches I’m the world. Up here, we could give a fuck! But if you got a problem with that, well we could discuss that outside... lol. I manage a retail store (major cellphone) and these poor, sad people walk in to my store on vacation from Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, any Carolina, New York, etc and ask... Do I have to wear a mask? 2 weeks to flatten the curve... Almost a year later? Duck them, they can EBOD! Do I have to wear a mask? I tell them, only if you’re robbing the place! This is truly one of the last bastions of true America! Our Governor could not care less, he spends his time pushing back; but even if he didn’t... NW Florida is one of the closest representations of America, real America left!
PANHANDLE Baby!!! That's my hometown area, and most of my immediate family still lives there. They have commented much the same as your post. I live in the Chicagoland area... but miss my Florida Panhandle and looking forward to retirement back home, soon!
I escaped Illinois to the Panhandle. Never going back to live if I can help it. If I go Midwest again, it's to Iowa or Indiana. Maybe Wisconsin if they get control over the teacher's union cabal again.
My Moms in the Panhandle, she a TREE through her house during that Hurricane that flattened a portion of Panama City a year or 2 back, I would go back to Florida but so tired of the Hurricanes, Grew up down there, looking at places in South Texas myself, far enough inland to not worry about Hurricanes, High Enough Elevation to not worry about Floods, Far Enough South to not be in Tornado Alley and far enough East to not be in Earthquake Faultlines of West Texas, also holy shit is Texas HUGE.
So, how risky is it living there. I live in a commie state and am considering moving. The wife is worried about alligators and hurricanes. How far inland do they go before risk of flood and winds subside? I'm not talking about minor damage just how far in does the real risk end? Im considering outside of Pensacola or Panama city
Alligators don't bother people really. Just don't enter their area and it will be ok. Sometimes, in neighborhoods close to wilderness or canals you might get a gator sighting but it really is not a big deal.
As far as hurricanes and flooding, Sandblock construction is the sturdiest but it might not be the most appealing. I'm in South Florida so the building code is super strict.
When looking to buy a house, visit the neighborhood on a rainy day. I know it's annoying but you will get a true representation of the flooding if any. Elevated or in a "hilly" area is best.
Panhandle building codes aren't as strict as South Florida, but if you are in a newer home (anything post-1996 is acceptable, but if you can find one built after 2015, even better) it will hold up to the winds. I lived through Hurricane Michael in the Panama City area, and the newer homes held up pretty well to wind.
However, NO home holds up to large trees falling on it or being flooded.
Pine trees are especially prone to snapping in a severe hurricane .If hurricane safety is your priority, get a house that does not have large trees growing close to it, especially pines. (This is easy in Panama City...nearly all of the large pines are gone now.)
Look at Storm Surge maps and flood zone maps that are available online. DO NOT buy in those areas. You may not have to go very far inland to find a patch of higher ground. Also, I strongly second what Langtath said about visiting the neighborhood on a rainy day! Drainage is good in some areas, and lousy in others.
And no matter what the flood zone maps say, never buy a house that is lower than its neighbors or lower than the road. Make sure the house is elevated above the rest of the lot. Hurricanes can drop 10", 15", or even more rain in a day. In that kind of rain, you want to make sure water drains AWAY from your house.
Plan to protect your windows (using hurricane shutters or boarding them up) when severe hurricanes approach. After Hurricane Michael, I saw plenty of nice new houses that took little exterior damage except for busted windows from the flying debris. If the window breaks, wind and rain get inside and you'll have significant interior damage. That is preventable 99% of the time by simply boarding your windows. Hurricane shutters are even more effective, but they are still uncommon in the Panhandle. You can have them installed, but they are pricey. If you're boarding up, get your plywood in advance and store it. Plywood sells out fast when a storm is approaching.
And remember that the truly nasty storms are very rare. Most of the time a hurricane passing by just means the kids get a day or two off of school, your power is out for less than a day, and then you have to pick up some branches and debris from your yard. Make friends with some longtime locals and they will help you decide whether a particular storm is one to worry about.
One last tidbit: if you watch the Weather Channel, you'll get the impression that virtually every hurricane is going to be a life-threatening catastrophe. Do yourself a favor and get your hurricane information directly from the National Hurricane Center - not the TV.
Yeah, alligators can’t run fast on land. In water, if you’re in a kayak or something, you don’t have to worry about it. Just don’t be swimming in alligator waters.
I live in the Panhandle, on some of the most beautiful beaches I’m the world. Up here, we could give a fuck! But if you got a problem with that, well we could discuss that outside... lol. I manage a retail store (major cellphone) and these poor, sad people walk in to my store on vacation from Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, any Carolina, New York, etc and ask... Do I have to wear a mask? 2 weeks to flatten the curve... Almost a year later? Duck them, they can EBOD! Do I have to wear a mask? I tell them, only if you’re robbing the place! This is truly one of the last bastions of true America! Our Governor could not care less, he spends his time pushing back; but even if he didn’t... NW Florida is one of the closest representations of America, real America left!
PANHANDLE Baby!!! That's my hometown area, and most of my immediate family still lives there. They have commented much the same as your post. I live in the Chicagoland area... but miss my Florida Panhandle and looking forward to retirement back home, soon!
I escaped Illinois to the Panhandle. Never going back to live if I can help it. If I go Midwest again, it's to Iowa or Indiana. Maybe Wisconsin if they get control over the teacher's union cabal again.
Panhandle gang, OOH!
love that area, have not been there in a long time, but family used to have a house in Milton. bit of a drive to the beaches but worth it.
Home prices are going thru the roof here in Florida.
Floridian here. My home value has gone way up.
My Moms in the Panhandle, she a TREE through her house during that Hurricane that flattened a portion of Panama City a year or 2 back, I would go back to Florida but so tired of the Hurricanes, Grew up down there, looking at places in South Texas myself, far enough inland to not worry about Hurricanes, High Enough Elevation to not worry about Floods, Far Enough South to not be in Tornado Alley and far enough East to not be in Earthquake Faultlines of West Texas, also holy shit is Texas HUGE.
So, how risky is it living there. I live in a commie state and am considering moving. The wife is worried about alligators and hurricanes. How far inland do they go before risk of flood and winds subside? I'm not talking about minor damage just how far in does the real risk end? Im considering outside of Pensacola or Panama city
Alligators don't bother people really. Just don't enter their area and it will be ok. Sometimes, in neighborhoods close to wilderness or canals you might get a gator sighting but it really is not a big deal.
As far as hurricanes and flooding, Sandblock construction is the sturdiest but it might not be the most appealing. I'm in South Florida so the building code is super strict.
When looking to buy a house, visit the neighborhood on a rainy day. I know it's annoying but you will get a true representation of the flooding if any. Elevated or in a "hilly" area is best.
Very good points.
Panhandle building codes aren't as strict as South Florida, but if you are in a newer home (anything post-1996 is acceptable, but if you can find one built after 2015, even better) it will hold up to the winds. I lived through Hurricane Michael in the Panama City area, and the newer homes held up pretty well to wind.
However, NO home holds up to large trees falling on it or being flooded.
Pine trees are especially prone to snapping in a severe hurricane .If hurricane safety is your priority, get a house that does not have large trees growing close to it, especially pines. (This is easy in Panama City...nearly all of the large pines are gone now.)
Look at Storm Surge maps and flood zone maps that are available online. DO NOT buy in those areas. You may not have to go very far inland to find a patch of higher ground. Also, I strongly second what Langtath said about visiting the neighborhood on a rainy day! Drainage is good in some areas, and lousy in others.
And no matter what the flood zone maps say, never buy a house that is lower than its neighbors or lower than the road. Make sure the house is elevated above the rest of the lot. Hurricanes can drop 10", 15", or even more rain in a day. In that kind of rain, you want to make sure water drains AWAY from your house.
Plan to protect your windows (using hurricane shutters or boarding them up) when severe hurricanes approach. After Hurricane Michael, I saw plenty of nice new houses that took little exterior damage except for busted windows from the flying debris. If the window breaks, wind and rain get inside and you'll have significant interior damage. That is preventable 99% of the time by simply boarding your windows. Hurricane shutters are even more effective, but they are still uncommon in the Panhandle. You can have them installed, but they are pricey. If you're boarding up, get your plywood in advance and store it. Plywood sells out fast when a storm is approaching.
And remember that the truly nasty storms are very rare. Most of the time a hurricane passing by just means the kids get a day or two off of school, your power is out for less than a day, and then you have to pick up some branches and debris from your yard. Make friends with some longtime locals and they will help you decide whether a particular storm is one to worry about.
One last tidbit: if you watch the Weather Channel, you'll get the impression that virtually every hurricane is going to be a life-threatening catastrophe. Do yourself a favor and get your hurricane information directly from the National Hurricane Center - not the TV.
Yeah, alligators can’t run fast on land. In water, if you’re in a kayak or something, you don’t have to worry about it. Just don’t be swimming in alligator waters.