Florida can be described as a state with a tropical climate, marvelous coastlines, and an active tourism sector. However, some critics are not sure whether it is safe to live in the Sunshine State with such risks as hurricanes, floods, crime, and wildlife attacks.
Natural Disasters and Extreme Conditions
Men and women who are thinking of moving to Florida are worried about the high risks of natural disasters and severe weather conditions. Due to its geographical location as a peninsular state and bordered by warm ocean waters, the state of Florida is more vulnerable to hurricanes than every other state except Texas and Louisiana. Hurricanes that have occurred over the last three decades, including Andrew, Irma, and Michael, have been major hurricanes, and they have led to devastating effects that include loss of lives and destruction. Although there have been advances in storm preparedness as well as construction codes since the brutal hurricane from the 1920s, new inhabitants who relocated to the area unaware of the strength of these tropical systems may be caught unawares.
While the hurricane is a major natural disaster occurring during the summer and the fall, Florida has to go through other natural disasters such as flooding, storm surges, tornadoes, heat, and forest fires, among others. Coastal areas are most vulnerable to storm surges and the incremental encroachment of seawater into the low-lying land. Coastal regions deal with hurricanes more often and inland areas with scorching hot temperatures, tornadoes, forest fires, flash floods, and limestone plains where sinkholes appear due to erosion. It is therefore important to observe certain measures to minimize dangers during living standards in Florida, due to this type of climate.
Crime Rates
Another obvious safety issue is a comparison of the crime rate in Florida to the crime rate in other states. On average, Florida property crime and violent crime rates are in the middle ground – performing worse than states plagued with high crime rates such as Alaska and New Mexico, but significantly better than states that are at the bottom of the list in terms of safety such as Maine and Vermont. But in the same regard, crime is not always universal and it can differ from one region to another. The overall violent crime rate is high in the Miami metro area and the state with the highest violent crime rate is Florida. However, the metro regions around Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee are much nearer the average among the nations.
As is the case with any state, Florida visitors are required to be more careful with people stealing personal belongings, especially at hot spots of interest. Holding a resident there also means that one has to undertake reasonable safety measures when living in large cities. But I must admit that the crime rates are not significantly higher than those in other comparably sized metropolitan areas that are located in warm weather states.
Dangerous Wildlife
This season’s specialty, venomous snakes, alligators, and sharks are also a major turn-off to some prospective residents. Well, where do I begin, Florida is one of the few states with the most venomous snake species in the United States. There are cottonmouth snakes, copperheads, and Eastern Diamondback rattlesnakes in every part of the state with upward of 90% of them living in wooded unused and swamp regions. But snake bites are very rare for those who are quite cautious with movements in grassy areas especially when boating or taking a bath in lakes or rivers.
Although alligators also bite people and this feature also makes rather scary headlines occasionally, it is practically equally dangerous if certain measures are taken. Yes, there can be but there are approximately 1.25 million American alligators in Florida in freshwater habitats including lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers to mention but a few. However, people effectively live side by side with alligators by not having a picnic in faraway lakes or trying to pet baby gators and not feeding these huge creatures, letting pets/kids not play near the water. Attacks by alligators have been few and far between over the years as the numbers began to revive in 1973, where only 23 have been fatal.
Finally, shark attacks are a cause for discouragement also due to movies like Jaws. But some of the international counties like Volusia have very low fatality rates compared to how many millions of people go swimming at Florida beaches every year. This shows fishing and shark attacks are not a problem in Florida as only 16 fatal shark attacks have happened since 2000 while much smaller states such as Hawaii.
Florida Safety: The Bottom Line
Although, Florida has a propensity to storms, hurricanes, reptiles, and mosquitoes and some parts of the state have comparatively high crime rates still most of the people who live in Florida take enough precautions to live securely and comfortably. In contrast to the states that experience severe winters, tornado alley perils, recurring drouths and wildfires, and even increased criminal incidence in the focal cities, Florida continues to be a popular state where anyone who takes advantage of the splendid climate and natural resources of this state can live or retire without being wholly reckless. In a manner that is free from any significant risk, people can ensure they are prepared for hurricanes, conscious of their surroundings when near water, cautious of where they go in Florida, and protect their homes so that they can enjoy the Sunshine State and all that it offers.
