4 Factors to Consider Before Moving to Florida

Florida has always been a highly popular place of residence. With a name like “The Sunshine State”, beautiful beaches, and a warm climate, it makes sense why Florida is such a desirable place to live.

However, this paradise is not without its own dangers. There are a lot of issues a responsible homeowner will need to be aware of if they plan on purchasing a home in Florida. Here are 4 that you should consider.

1. Hurricanes

Hurricanes are incredibly common in Florida. Florida is a state that is surrounded by warm water and is regularly hit by these enormous systems.

These massive storms form in warmer ocean water before moving to land. Sometimes the storms can break up, but often times, they are intense. They can devastate areas from Miami, all the way up to Tallahassee.

As such, it is important that residents are prepared for any possibility. Preparing your home to withstand damage from high winds is crucial. If conditions become too severe, you might need to evacuate. If you decide to stay, make sure you have plenty of supplies and portable batteries in case you lose power or are unable to leave.

2. Flooding

Flooding is another hazard to worry about when living in Florida. This happens often after hurricanes or tropical storms bring long amounts of heavy rain.

However, there are also some long-term risks of flooding in more coastal areas. Places like Miami, Clearwater, and the Florida Keys are all located in very close proximity to the ocean. The potential for flooding due to sea level rise is something that must be considered before buying a property in a coastal Floridian area.

A flood in the home can cause significant destruction if not treated properly. If your home is damaged from a flood, you’ll need to hire a Florida restoration company to help you fix the damages.

3. Lightning

Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. Lightning has caused more injuries and deaths in the Sunshine State than anywhere else in the country.

These powerful surges do not only damage people, however. They can also cause damage to your home. A lightning strike in the wrong place can cause an unwanted fire to occur in your home. Consider taking steps to make sure your house is safe in the event of a lightning storm—and make sure you are safe too!

4. Wildlife

Florida hosts a variety of unique wildlife due to its tropical climate. While Florida’s biodiversity is something to be celebrated, it is also something to be respected from afar.

Sea turtles, for example, commonly nest on many of Florida’s beaches from the months of May to October. They are endangered species and touching or harassing them is illegal. In addition, if you are living on the beach, it is important to make sure you don’t have your lights on at night. These lights can disorient both mothers and hatchlings.

There are also a number of dangerous animals that can be found all around Florida. Alligators are one of the most common reptiles in Florida and can be frequently found in bodies of freshwater.

Residents will also need to be aware of what snakes might live outside their homes or on nature trails. Venomous snakes like the coral snake or the lake-dwelling water moccasin are incredibly fatal to humans and need to be avoided at all costs.

If you fancy a swim in the ocean, be sure to be on the lookout for the invasive lionfish or the stinging Portuguese man-o-war right off the Florida coast.