Preparing for Hurricanes in Florida

Volusia County Florida is in the direct path of hurricanes when they strike from the central east coast. Some major Floridian cities are affected, including Daytona Beach, surf and race capitol of the world. Volusia County has had its fair share of fierce weather, including last year's surprise tornado that left more than one person dead, and many displaced and homeless for the holidays.

Hurricanes have hit Florida hard since 1984, when the town of Homestead, a rural community on the outside of Miami, and the last residential stop before the Florida Keys, was all but obliterated by Hurricane Andrew, that broke through wood and concrete like a person snapping a wooden match with one hand. Since 1984, hurricanes are taken seriously in this state, with the local news, meteorologists and weather alerts being reported non-stop to guide and advise people about the possible impending doom of Mother Nature.

Florida's news reporters do a good job of reporting the latest Doppler readings and the path of the hurricane when en route. There are many precautions the locals and visiting tourists need to be aware of, if they choose to stay put, and not evacuate. Grade four hurricanes in Florida are call for evacuation, but in Volusia County, and throughout 2005 and the two most devastating Hurricanes before Katrina, many brave souls stayed put, and rode out the storm like true Floridians facing down a monster. Here is what Volusia County residents did to prepare themselves, and their house for the hurricanes, and what continues to be the chosen survival, home preservation and coping method.