Possibly moving to FL. Eep, ack, hurricanes earthquakes?, volcanos?, oh my!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida

Florida's nickname is the "Sunshine State", but severe weather is a common occurrence in the state. Central Florida is known as the lightning capital of the United States, as it experiences more lightning strikes than anywhere else in the country.[25] Florida has the highest average precipitation of any state, in large part because afternoon thunderstorms are common in most of the state from late spring until early autumn. A fair day may be interrupted with a storm, only to return to sunshine an hour or so later. These thunderstorms, caused by overland collisions of moist masses of air from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean[citation needed], pop up in the early afternoon and can bring heavy downpours, high winds, and sometimes tornadoes. Florida leads the United States in tornadoes per square mile (when including waterspouts)[26] but they do not typically reach the intensity of those in the Midwest and Great Plains. Hail often accompanies the most severe thunderstorms.

...

Hurricanes pose a severe threat during hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, although some storms have been known to form out of season. Florida is the most hurricane-prone US state, with subtropical or tropical water on a lengthy coastline. From 1851 to 2006, Florida has been struck by 114 hurricanes, 37 of them major"category 3 and above.[29] It is rare for a hurricane season to pass without any impact in the state by at least a tropical storm. For storms, category 4 or higher, 83% have either hit Florida or Texas.[29] August to October is the most likely period for a hurricane in Florida.

In 2004, Florida was hit by a record four hurricanes. Hurricanes Charley (August 13), Frances (September 4"5), Ivan (September 16), and Jeanne (September 25"26) cumulatively cost the state's economy US$42 billion. In 2005, Hurricane Dennis (July 10) became the fifth storm to strike Florida within eleven months. Later, Hurricane Katrina (August 25) passed through South Florida and Hurricane Rita (September 20) swept through the Florida Keys. Hurricane Wilma (October 24) made landfall near Cape Romano, just south of Marco Island, finishing another very active hurricane season.

Florida was the site of the second costliest weather disaster in U.S. history, Hurricane Andrew, which caused more than US$25 billion in damage when it struck on August 24, 1992. In a long list of other infamous hurricane strikes are the 1926 Miami hurricane, the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane Donna in 1960, and Hurricane Opal in 1995. Recent research suggests the storms are part of a natural cycle and not a result of global warming.[30][31]

Thanks for the info Butrflynet.

Looks look I'll have to purchase some rair gear!

Brings to mind, how in CA I preped for earth quakes.

*wonders the merits of having a good plan for evacuation of 5 cats*

The trick is catching cat #3 before cats #1 & 2 are back in hiding.

Seriously, make sure your insurance policy specifically covers damage from wind, flooding, and hurricanes. Be aware that State Farm pulled out of the market due to state insurance regulations. The state now acts as insurer, and the smart money says they can't cover the potential losses of a major hurricane.

actually the smart money moved to arizona.

From California.

well yeah

It's good to have an evacuation plan but if you settle in central Florida, chances are you won't need it. Most of the damage in the last 30 years has occurred near the coasts. I think Phoenix will vouch for the fact that hurricanes lose a lot of punch when they travel through the middle of the state.

The most essential item to have is hurricane panels.

Do not rent or buy a house that doesn't have them. Or make allowance in your buying price to have them installed . They are essential

No kidding, Panz! 40 years in Fl now, and virtually NO losses from hurricanes.

My mom lived in Coconut Grove (Miami) during Andrew, which was a very damaging/frightening storm. However she was FINE during & after the storm, living in a condo and hearing the "freight train" of the storm for some 12 hours.

NO earthquakes here (prolly more likely in Illinois) & NO volcanos.

Panz is right, in Central FL you're much less likely to suffer any hurricane damage at all, compared to the coasts (esp the FL Keys). Hurricanes weaken when they hit land.

PS - I've never had (couldn't afford) hurricane panels, or what they call an interior "safe room" for hurricanes/tornadoes. Still in one happy piece after all these years.

Ah yes, there is a paticular order of cat placement wherein one can manage to keep #4 from scratching you to death while you hold cats #1-3 at bay to keep them from escaping. >.< Hopefully #5 has not tripped you while you attempt to exit the door.

Gotcha about the insurance.

Hurricane panels? Ok seriously I've never had to have anything stronger than a sturdy set of window screens. Central FL? >.< *hides in her safe room, just in case*

As for evacuating 5 cats: I've evacuated once in the past 40 years, when I lived in Tampa for Hurricane Elena... 1980's, somewhere.

This Hurricane hovered off Tampa's coast for 36+ hours before moving off. For me this meant lots of Elementary-School Corn Dogs and Fruit Loops, but no other damage.

Me either, in FL all these years!

Oh, and one thing about hurricanes: You'd have plenty of warning of their approach, likely several DAYS worth. Plenty of time to calm your baby kittehs!

Yeah, let's just say, I'd buy an RV so that me and the kitties could just take on outta there when everyone really starts to batten down the hatches.

Running away (from a Hurricane) isn't a bad idea, actually, esp when you have lotsa pets.

One problem might be all the Other folks who had the same idea, causing giant traffic jams.

Still, a hurricane would be a huge rarity in Central FL!

like a BIG earth quake in CA I suppose. Chances are.....just have to hope for the best....

ME, I turn around and look it in the eye. If I'm in a friendly mood, I might actually say, "Hello."

I would NOT, in any case, run away screaming.

Hehe good thing.

*If the kitty were in a friendly mood she might even give her form of a hello which is to head butt you with all the force of fully grown tiger cat.* "oops, sorry I'm still a bit clumsy with the wings."