With the Economy in Recession, Can Floridians Afford the 2008 Hurricane Season?

In 2004, Florida endured four major hurricanes in August and September. It was the costliest of all hurricane seasons in the United States. The hurricanes are as follows:

Charley--August 9 to August 15 Category 4

Frances--August 24 to September 6 Category 2

Ivan--September 2 to September 16 went north then came back around to Florida September 22 to September 24 Category 3

Jeanne--September 13 to September 27 Category 3 Jeanne was interesting because she appeared to head north, staying in the Atlantic Ocean and not come near Florida. We all breathed a sigh of relief until she did a loop like turn and came back for us. She was one you would have to see the radar and satellite to believe this turn!

For each of these hurricanes, we had to have many supplies on hand. Imagine the preparation for hurricanes including foods, generators, batteries, flashlights, candles, blankets etc. People even struggled for the dwindling supplies of ice.

Fortunately, in 2004, Floridians had a week of purchasing hurricane supplies tax-free. This helped tremendously but since 2004, the tax-free period on hurricane supplies was eliminated, it was too costly.

In 2004, the price of gas was $1.45 to $1.60 a gallon; we needed 10 gallons on hand and a full tank. Many people ran out of gas while trying to evacuate but ended up sitting on busy highways. Gas stations lines snaked a couple of miles long until there was no more gas.

Some Floridians eventually turned around and returned home. Gas had to be delivered, by tanker trucks, to other cars still sitting on the highway.
Now, in 2008 the cost of a gallon of gas is about $3.95 to $4.30 a gallon. With the economy the way it is, many Floridians live paycheck to paycheck.

In 2008, with the rising cost of groceries, we have to think about eating for the here and now, some Floridians cannot afford to buy foodstuffs and place them in storage for possible hurricanes. It is very difficult to know ahead of time if we will have another season like 2004.

Because of diminished income due to job losses/layoffs, increased poverty, exalted savings, soaring food/gas prices and foreclosures, tensions are very high this season.

Another fate Floridians have to endure is the increased deductibles on homeowner's insurance coverage; anywhere between two to10 percent of the policy limits. At one time, there were debates over whether the deductibles would pertain to single hurricanes or for all four of 2004's hurricanes. In 2005, some Floridians homeowners policies were dropped or not renewed and/or some companies went bankrupted due to this crisis. Many Floridian homeowners were deciding to leave the state for reasons such as multiple hurricanes, increasing homeowner's insurance and slow responses to repairing homes.

For those who are on the outside watching Floridians suffer from the 2008 hurricane season, understand why many of us cannot afford all needed supplies or to properly evacuate.

During hurricane Frances, I left work worrying about my family. I had to ride the interstate. It was scary as my car swayed side to side during wind gusts. When I reached my small town of 6000, it was pitched dark.

I turned on my street and came within a few feet of hitting a large oak tree that fell across the road. The only light was from my headlights. In the aftermath, some of my co-workers had to use a boat to get from their home to the road for at least 2 weeks.

During hurricane Jeanne, I sat on my porch doing homework on my computer. The outer band wind gusts were 30 to 50 mph. While driving 30 to 50 mph, put your hand out of the window to understand the strength of wind gusts.

It was 1 a.m., I was sitting on the porch, scheduled to work in 7 hours. I told my husband I was afraid to go to bed for fear that the pecan tree would fall on me, but I went anyway. After lying in bed for 10 minutes I heard a very loud crack, I fled the room as the tree fell through my kitchen ceiling, utility closet and light fixtures. Its branches fell within a few inches of me as I fled the room. The homeowner's insurance refused to declare the home as irreparable.

Because of the lack of supplies to repair roofs, many Floridian homeowners had tarp on their roofs for about a year, me included. Another problem was fraud and rip offs from companies who either did not return or did very shoddy jobs. Most workers and supplies went to the Florida Panhandle/Pensacola because they suffered major damages to several more structures.

Floridians sincerely wish the 2008 hurricane season is mild because of the poor economic situation the United State faces compared to 2004.