Trying to reason with hurricane season

A few weeks ago, I attended a celebration of Jupiter’s new mayor and two new town council members at the Jupiter Civic Center. I love that old shack on the bluff overlooking the ocean, with its amazing old Florida character and exposed timber ceiling and beams. Such a beautiful, rustic structure that was built in 1932. If ever hit by a “big” hurricane it would quickly disappear, but it has proudly stood now for 90 years. Are hurricanes as devastating as some want you to think?

A number of years ago, I was replacing a couple original wood garage doors on a 1970 old Florida ranch and put it insulated, hurricane rated doors with impact windows. The man who was installing the doors had been doing it for over 40 years and I asked him if this would help protect the home. He laughed out loud and told me the 40+ year old doors I was replacing had stood a long, long time with no protection and no damage. Enough said.

When it comes to hurricanes, it’s all about strength, size and if you get a direct hit. The chances of Jupiter getting a direct hit of a Category 4 or 5 storm aren’t very good. Remember the Jupiter Civic Center and that 40+ year garage door? But the fact that it could happen is what you need to prepare for and plan accordingly.

I have always looked at storms rated Category 1, 2 or 3, as more media scare events than anything else. Those readings take you up to wind ratings of 130 miles per hour and yes, they will knock down trees, tear off some roofs and cause major power outages. To me, things you want to stay home for and do what you can to protect your home if damage should occur. I can tell you the very best thing you can do to protect your home is cut down any large, old trees that could fall on your house. If you are direct oceanfront an investment in impact glass would be very prudent. I think impact glass anywhere in the Jupiter area is prudent and not just because of the windstorm benefits.

The last two storms to directly affect Jupiter were both in 2004; Frances with 105 miles per hour winds, a Category 2, and Jeanne that was a Category 3 storm when it hit about 25 miles north of Jupiter. Certainly, caused some damage but again mainly trees, roofs and loss of power.

Now a Category 5 storm is a totally different animal. Talk to anybody who was in Hope Town and rode out Hurricane?Dorian in 2019. Believe me, it's nothing you ever want to go through, or be near. When Mother Nature comes at you with winds in excess of 155 miles per hour you better drop to your knees and pray.?

I have never carried windstorm coverage but if you have a mortgage, you don’t have an option. Every year, or so, I would get a price from my insurance carrier. After evaluating the cost, which was always thousands of dollars, the high deductibles, which were always tens of thousands of dollars and the chance of anything above a Category 3 hitting us directly it always seemed like a bad bet. In 2019, at one point, there was a model that showed Dorian heading at us as a Category 5 and I was wishing maybe I had a policy in place. Luckily for me, and for the Jupiter area, it was not much of anything. We went to the beach.

So, hurricane season is bearing down on us once again in just six days, It will be with us through November 30th. All sorts of predictions for a terrible storm season headed our way and I hope that isn’t true; for anyone. La Nina, warmer than average ocean surface temperatures, predictions of 43% more hurricanes than a normal season, loop currents, weaker Atlantic trade winds, stronger African monsoons. Yes sir, the press wants to scare you because that’s kind of what they do.

But what should you do??

Again, if I was you, I would remove any trees that could fall on my house, I wouldn’t fret too much for anything rated as a Category 1, 2 or 3 but would certainly be prepared and be very careful. I would pray that a Category 4 or 5 doesn’t make landfall anywhere. If a storm of that nature is coming your way, and you are anywhere near the coast, run as fast as you can. Hurricane season is always a cause of concern with a very uncomfortable air of uncertainty swirling around when there is a named storm out there. Lisa is on the list of this year's storms and I am watching that one closely!

The Jupiter area historically gets brushed by a hurricane every 3.02 years and gets some sort of direct or almost direct hit every 8.31 years. We are overdue in both categories and there are lots of doomsday predictions for a bad year ahead.

So, with less than a week to go. Remember the Jupiter Civic Center and that old wooden garage door, remember that a Category 4 or 5 is nothing you ever want to be in and be prepared, be careful and be wise.

Paradise Sharks Real Estate has proudly served buyers and sellers of real estate in the Jupiter area for many years. Our small town, midwestern ethics adds value that is tough to beat. No franchise fees, no broker taking a piece of the pie, no middlemen and we pass those savings directly on to our customers, friends and neighbors. If we can ever be of assistance in any way please feel free to contact us at?[email protected]?or 561.308.0175.

Only another 188 days and it will all be over. At least for this year.....