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.
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.