Storms

Oldman · July 02, 2008, 04:56:55 PM

If these past days of Thunder Storms are any indication of our storm season I fear that Florida might have another 2004 -05 season.

The air temp can drop by 20 degree in a heart beat. Hail the size of balls. Granted that Tampa Bay area is the lighting stike capital of the country, and some years of the whole world, but the lighting stikes of as late are of the likes of that God Himself has never seen. Wind gust to 70 mph, and these are only Thunder Storms.

As I have posted before our house is hardened to withstand a full direct hit from a Cat 4 to a mid Cat 5. However, there is now talk-- do the change in water temp-- of a Cat 6. I cannot image that. There would be no where to go or to hide in the entire state of Florida. My thoughts now are to an in-ground water-proof storm shelter.

Olds

La Quinta · July 02, 2008, 05:22:00 PM

My Mom lives on the other coast (where I grew up) and if you think you can do an underground/waterproof "bunker"...I would love to hear about it...the water table would be an obvious concern to start...you'd have to...basically...de-muck and sink a prefabbed room...WOW...or maybe you were kidding?

Gizmo · July 02, 2008, 05:22:49 PM

That will be a tough build Olds. To get water tight with oxygen supply for who knows how long if you are under water from flooding.

FLBentRider · July 02, 2008, 05:58:58 PM

Sounds like a concrete or earthen above-ground bunker may be a better choice.

La Quinta · July 02, 2008, 06:05:12 PM

Actually...I've never heard of a Cat 6 hurricane...(which means nothing) but...after what I witnessed at Andrew(and that was a cat 5)...anything above ground would be almost pointless. Concrete block homes by the hundreds/thousands...went bub bye...I think the only solution is underground. Or...just get the hell out of dodge...and pray...

Wildcat · July 03, 2008, 05:25:52 AM

Underground can be done. I was born in and spent my pre-teen years in Miami. During that time, bomb shelters were being built/installed everywhere. This was during the "Cuban Crises" years of the 50's and 60's. IMHO for storm purposes and above ground shelter can be built for ANY strength hurricane and most tornado activity. The bulk of damage from hurricanes is flood and spin off tornado.

Oldman · July 04, 2008, 12:19:49 AM

Quote from: La Quinta on July 02, 2008, 06:05:12 PM
Actually...I've never heard of a Cat 6 hurricane...(which means nothing) but...after what I witnessed at Andrew(and that was a cat 5)...anything above ground would be almost pointless. Concrete block homes by the hundreds/thousands...went bub bye...I think the only solution is underground. Or...just get the hell out of dodge...and pray...

Some 75-78% of all homes lost are due to the garage door(s) blowing in. The wind then pressurizes the garage and the roof then blows off and then the rest of the house is left with no dimensional stability.

There is no Cat 6 yet (there is talk of creating that cat) but there are recorded storms with winds of 175-180 mph. With a couple hitting 200 mph. Hugo was a cat 5 and its max was 160 mph. Look at what it did to south Florida.

FLBentRider · July 04, 2008, 07:25:56 AM

I lived in Charleston, SC (Summerville actually) when Hugo came through...

The devastation was breath-taking. Entire forests mowed off 20 feet up, for as far as you can see.