Actually, its my understanding that this is normal for Florida (yes above average hurricane activity per year)and that we have been in kind of a lull for many years. We appear to be back into a cycle where Florida is threatened more often. Being a native, I see many people who have moved down here under the perception of paradise, only to find out that hurricanes are no joke and paradise can easily turn to hell with one hurricane. While Winter Storms are frustrating at times, they do not even come close to the catastrophic damage hurricanes can and do provide. Also most people do not realize that Florida is the lightening capital of the world, and also is one of the top five states for tornadoes.

With more and more people moving here the costs of hurricanes will keep going up. Additionally, it takes longer and longer to recover, as larger populations do not not always equate to larger support infrastructures. Also economically speaking Florida has one of the lowest earnings per capita, and as a result we have more and more people purchasing and living in manufactured and/or trailer homes, inadequately built to withstand hurricane force winds and of course tornadoes.

Having been born and raised here, I always scratch my head and wonder why people want to move here. Its hot, muggy, buggy, conjested, overpopulated in some areas, and frankly the cost of living and earnings arent the best. Doesnt sound like paradise to me, but it is my home.

I realize this is kind of off topic, but economics and population growth are factors as they relate to hurricane disaster and recovery.