The Keys and Tropical Storm Fay

Tropical Storm Fay has made its pass through the keys and left everything relatively unscathed. The most damage has come to the keys business owners due to the mandatory evacuation of tourist. The keys have had it good for a while now. We have not had a direct hit from a hurricane since 1999 when Hurricane Irene's eye passed over Key West at 8 A.M. and continued on towards Cape Sable where it hit the mainland and continued its path through south Florida.

In the last three years we have'nt had any bad storms at all. Since I have been living in the keys (1999) I have not had to deal with any damage from storms including Irene. The most damage I have had to incur was the water level rising after the storm and damaging what ever I had on the floor of my storage room downstairs. Fortunately my home is up on pilings and no where near the water. Many of my neighbors are not so fortunate. Their homes were built prior to the FEMA regulations which require homes to be built above the flood plain. Thank fully Fay has not brought any flooding.

Although preparing for a storm is a bit frustrating, I must say I would much rather be doing this with time to prepare than dealing with tornadoes or earthquakes not knowing when they will hit. It really is not that bad. I enjoy being outside under my home seeing the rath of mother nature whip the palm trees and the clouds fly by. Fay was a very light storm that actually cleaned up the trees and shrubs pretty good. I am sure we will have more storms to come and damage to deal with. However everything has a price and paradise is not free. Insure it right, be safe, protect the important items and have fun. What else can you do but this?

Oh! Be thankful you made it through in good health!