What Can We Expect After Post-Irma South Florida?

The standard rebuilding process that happens in Florida whenever they get hit by a strong hurricane. They have experienced them many times before and will just rebuild. First will be getting the electrical grid up and going again and then repairs to homes and businesses.

The Aftermath of Hurricane Irma

Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 hurricane and shortly thereafter it made landfall in Marco Island in South Florida as a very intense Category 3 hurricane. Gusts nearing 150 mph were recorded in areas caught by the hurricane. Right now it is in northern Florida as a tropical storm likely being a major rain event. As it passes through Georgia tonight, it is going to be a major rain and wind event for the state.

Damage and Immediate Reactions

Hurricane Tropical Cyclone Details: As for South Florida, considering Irma's destructive power, it is a mess. Naples is especially in dire straits. But we won't know the full extent of the death and destruction until basically after Irma leaves the state.

Power is out across much of the state, leaving nearly six million people without power. In the near coastal cities, expect loss of pipelines for a while, so make sure that you boil water if necessary or drink bottled water. With downed trees and power lines, expect some roads to be blocked. And do be careful of looters.

Long-Term Implications and Recovery Efforts

In the long-term, expect a very costly disaster, perhaps more costly than Hurricane Ike was.

But this is something that Florida deals with on occasion. So, while Irma might be the worst storm in recent history since Wilma and Charley, at least I suspect the state will be able to pick itself up. And besides, it could have been much, much worse. Thank God or whatever deity you believe in that Irma decided it wanted Cuba for breakfast. Since the topography basically choked the storm out before moving to the Florida Keys, had it avoided Cuba, it could have hit as a full-fledged Category 5 hurricane. On top of this, we can also thank our lucky stars that Irma decided to put her worst winds just to the Everglades, sparing other cities the worst of Irma's winds, so as bad as the effects are, it could have been worse.

Conclusion and Future Preparedness

That being said, this is still one big mess to clean up. The rebuilding process and recovery efforts in South Florida will undoubtedly take time and resources. While the state may be resilient, better preparedness and stricter building codes may be necessary to mitigate the effects of future hurricanes.