Disaster Strikes Florida Retirement Communities

Florida, sometimes referred to as the Sunshine State, has had its share of catastrophic storms over the years.  While February temperatures may fall below the toasty numbers that Florida is known for, one would think this time of year would garner a Floridian’s sense of ease to the area’s potential for natural disasters.  After all, February is not a hurricane-season month, and Florida is deep enough south to preclude any severe wintery weather.  So one might think.

But sadly, for those retiring to their beds on Thursday night, delighted that Punxsytawney Phil saw his shadow and therefore should expect an early Spring, were awakened in the middle of the night to a winterish nightmare.  In the wee hours of the night on Friday, Feb. 2d, while most people were sleeping soundly in their beds, tornadoes viciously ripped through the northern Florida counties of Lake, Seminole, Volusia, and Sumter, claiming 20 lives and leaving thousands of homes destroyed. 

Each of these communities, laden with grief over the unimaginable losses visited upon them, was immediately declared a disaster area by President Bush.   This declaration, though unable to undo all of the horrific losses of this evening, will make available federal money to help aid the many thousands affected by the storm.

Among those communities affected by Friday’s violent storms was The Villages, one of the nation’s largest retirement communities.  Authorities have estimated that around 1,000 homes in this community have sustained moderate to severe damage.  There are currently no reported deaths within the retirement community, but the local Villages Regional Hospital did report treating some 30 individuals for storm-related injuries.   

While reading various articles about this current storm, something I found of historic significance is that in 1998 a similar storm containing deadly tornadoes (now named the “Groundhog Day Storm”) passed through this area resulting in a death toll of 42.  Looking even further, I also found that on Feb. 2, 1952, there was a tropical storm that crossed southern Florida.  Similarly named the Groundhog Day Storm, this was the only tropical storm in known history to occur during the month of February.

What is also interesting is that with El Nino conditions present, February actually marks the beginning of the time of year when these potentially tornado-carrying storms might emerge.   

El Nino, which occur when eastern Pacific Ocean waters become uncommonly warm, can bend the Atlantic jet stream and drive strong cold fronts into and even through Florida.  When this cold front meets with warm, tropical air, severe weather can erupt.  February through April and even May is the time period when conditions are ripe for this type of volatile and potentially dangerous weather.  And since this designated storm season has just begun, Floridians need to be watchful that similar dangerous storms could follow.

Tornadoes, such as this one that just hit Florida carrying upwards of 165-mph winds, often give little to no warning, so it is very important that people implement a sound plan of action that can be reacted to at a moment’s notice.  Florida’s landscape is such that basements are often not available, which are often considered one of the safest places of shelter during a storm. 

There are certain other precautions that can be taken, and there are various web sites, such as the RedCross.org site, that provide that type of information.  There are also weather-alert radios that can be purchased that emit a tone or broadcast should a severe weather warning be announced.  These could prove life saving should a storm come through during the night hours, such as the one that just occurred in northern Florida.    

Some weather-alert devices available are:

For further information on this storm’s devastation and to follow the efforts of the communities as they rebuild, you may want to visit The Villages Sun Times web site.