Moving is always a stressful process, no matter where you’re going or where you’re coming from. There’s plenty to be concerned with when you’re packing everything up in boxes and coordinating moving teams to help you get to where you need to go. Something people don’t normally think about is considering how the area you’re moving to is doing, but if you’re moving to Florida, it’s something you should definitely think about.
Recently, Florida has been dealing with hurricanes. This isn’t unusual at this time of year because hurricane season lasts well in to fall. However, they’ve faced unusually strong storms, and one of them has been Irma. Just before it hit land, the eye of the storm was predicted to land right over Tampa. Thankfully, it drifted off to the east before hitting the city, but if you’re planning on moving to Tampa or even visiting any time soon, check out what the area is like before you leave.
How to React to A Hurricane
If you’re going to be in Florida during hurricane season, you need to know how to prepare yourself for a storm and how to react if one should land where you are. First, keep up with the local and national weather services. They’ll be able to most accurately tell you where the storm is heading. Make sure that you can be confident in hurricane vocabulary and know what numbers you can call for help. Living near the beach is great, so do your research so you can have a great time all year round.
What to Be Aware Of
Statistically, the Tampa area isn’t prone to getting hurricanes. The last time it got a major storm was in 1921, and there are many different reasonings for this. Some weather experts say that to impact Tampa, a hurricane would have to hit from the south and west because of the geological formations around the city. Others believe that the land was blessed by Native Americans long ago to protect their burial grounds.
Whatever the reason, the most you’ll have to deal with while moving to or living in Tampa is a Category 1 or 2 hurricane and some tropical storms. Nothing catastrophic, so you won’t have to worry about losing what you love to any massive hurricanes anytime soon.
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How Tampa Is Now
After bracing for hurricane Irma and getting a Category 1 storm, Tampa struggled with flooding and downed powerlines. Compared to the rest of the state however, the city was relatively lucky. Considering the number of citizens that have chosen the popular Tampa area to live in, the state could breathe a sigh of relief that the storm didn’t hit the city straight on. Tampa is 778 percent higher in population density than the whole state, meaning it’s the most packed city on the Florida map.
While the city is still going to be cleaning up and repairing the minor damages caused by the storm, you can still find great things to do while in the area. You’ll be able to find great amusement parks and museums, in addition to find gorgeous beaches and delicious restaurants. Nothing stops the spirit of Tampa from shining through its great city and coastal communities, so you’re bound to have fun and make memories no matter what time of year you visit.
Visiting places like Tampa after hurricane Irma requires more thought than your average vacation or moving trip. You’ll need to know how the area was impacted by Irma to know what there is to do and if you should visit at all. Most of Florida got hit hard, and those areas that didn’t are still dealing with things like power outages and finding clean water to drink.
The good news is that Tampa is up and running, so you can still visit and have a great time in the city or on the beach. Spend time at the local tourist spots or hit up some lesser-known locations that only locals can point you in the direction of. You’ll love and be inspired by what you find, especially the resilient spirit that Tampa has been known for for nearly a century.
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This article was written by Kacey Mya.