Descriptions will be below each photo.
Tuesday, September 28, two days after Hurricane Jeanne, in Madeira Beach. Gulf Blvd. runs close to the Gulf, and many streets reach back toward the Intercoastal Waterway. There are many homes on what we call the "barrier islands". It didn't look like many of them had significant damage. This homeowner lost some palm trees... one flat on the ground and several damaged and leaning.
These palms appear to have been planted recently--perhaps after Hurricane Frances. Some of the 2 by 4 supports looked a little stressed; however, the trees were still standing.
Why was there so little damage? Look at this photo and the next one of Boca Ciega Bay (a wide part of the Intercoastal Waterway), and notice how few tall trees there are. The barrier islands don't have a plethora of tall majestic trees, and most of the trees they do have are palm trees.
Second photo of Boca Ciega Bay. Taken facing the sun, it shows mostly profile. Look how few trees there are!
The exception. A similar cul-de-sac in St. Pete would have lots of tall trees. This street has one.
Lots of sand blew over these plants on the beach.
These sea oats have been stressed by the wind. We had significant beach erosion, and this will take time to regrow and lots of human help to make it happen gracefully.
Madeira Beach from the same point facing to the south. That water is the Gulf of Mexico.
This old house has been around for a while, built back when asbestos siding on the outside was commonplace. It's right on the beach. I'm not saying the news people lied... I just don't think this house had waves washing over it.
My message here is that most of what you see on the news is devastation. The homes and commmunities and cities that weathered the storm are not getting the publicity. On the other hand, people are, indeed, tired. There may be a mass exodus from Florida in the coming months. I certainly don't want to encourage anyone to pull up stakes and move here because we're overcrowded enough. I do want my friends, clients, and acquaintances to know that the whole state hasn't quite washed away yet.
Florida, the entire state, has been declared a national disaster area. That will bring in some Federal money for rebuilding, and (hopefully) the new construction will be built to the new codes and will last better during storms like Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne.