Hi everybody and welcome! For me this past week has been very eventful and exciting. Carol and I had the pleasure of having our eldest daughter Kimberly and future son-in-law Steve came to visit us from the windy city of Chicago. The variety of weather changes they experienced on their trip would make the average Floridian shudder. When they left Chicago on Saturday, March 1st, the temperature was a mere 15 degrees. The plane trip was the worst and most turbulent that they have ever experienced as they passed over a developing storm system that was over the Texas area. They described the plane trip as a “Roller coaster ride at an amusement park”. Needless to say they were treated to temperatures in the mid 80’s when they arrived. We all enjoyed each other’s company throughout the week as we all enjoyed Chamber of Commerce weather.
As is the case, all wonderful things must come to an end and the time came for them to return home. When they left Palm Beach International on March 9, the temperature was around 85 degrees and sunny. When they arrived back in Chicago the temperature was only 8 degrees! Talk about a brain freeze, that quite a change. Needless to say, they are planning another Florida trip in the not too distant future! Is this paradise or what? Sometimes I think we all take the wonderful Florida weather for granted.
With the onset of spring, a very real danger we often overlook is wildfires. Wildfires are actually nature’s way of controlling and managing wild plant life. Many wild fires are caused by natural causes such as lightning but many are caused by the careless burning of trash or campfires. Some are also started intentionally by arsonists. Since 1998, more than 15,000 wildfires have destroyed in excess of one million acres and destroyed over 750 structures. Wildfires also take their toll on the business sector as valuable timber used for construction purposes is destroyed. This can also lead to higher lumber prices on the retail level.
Many people are now building their homes on large lots in wooded areas and like to stay as close to nature as possible. This puts a lot of structures at risk in the event of a wild fire. There are some common sense safety actions that you can take to offer yourself protection and peace of mind in case the unthinkable affects your neighborhood.
1. Create a safe space of at least 30 feet around your home. Rake up those dead leaves and trim back trees or bushes so they are away from the house.
2. To be sure that emergency vehicles can gain access to your property, make sure your driveway or access road is at least 12 feet wide and there is a 15-foot overhead clearance.
3. Keep your gutters and roof clear of all debris including pine needles, sticks and leaves.
4. Use plants that are resistant to fire including oak trees, azalea and ferns. Avoid pine trees and palmetto bushes.
5. Try to use fire resistant materials when doing any new construction and use fire resistant barriers when you attach wood decks or other flammable structures to the deck.
6. You should always develop an emergency plan in case of any emergency. Plan at least two escape routes out of your neighborhood.
Now on to the Time Capsule.
March 14, l986 -- North and Central Florida -- Severe Weather Outbreak -- A squall line moved across North Central Florida producing at least nine tornadoes and many severe thunderstorms. In Gainesville, a tornado threw a pickup truck l00 ft - two stores were unroofed and gutted and seven others damaged. A wind gust of 85 mph reported in Taylor Co. A tornado in Orange Lake downed power poles and pine trees, and a large tree was blown over and destroyed a mobile home roof in Putnam Co. A tornado in Astor Park damaged several mobile homes. High winds blew the roof off large equipment shed in St. Johns Co. A gust of 63 mph was reported at Daytona Beach airport. A tornado at Palm Coast damaged the roof of a shopping center and downed several power lines. A tornado in Belleview damaged a 3-car garage and barn. A tornado in Deltona destroyed utility sheds and carports, uprooted trees, and damaged roofs in a nine-block area. A 27-year-old man was injured in Hillsborough Co. while working on a roof when lightning hit the roof.
March 14, l993 -- Highlands County, Lake Charles -- A Waterspout picked up a l6-ft boat and overturned it, spilling the two boaters into the water. One drowned, and the other was rescued two hours later.
March 15 - l8, l960 -- north and central Florida -- Citrus, Marion, Lake, Seminole, Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Sumter, Hernando, Pasco and Hillsborough Counties -- Heavy Rain and Flood -- Generally more than l0 inches of rain fell on a large section of central Florida during this 4-day period and the area of Pasco, Hernando, most of Sumter and the northern portion of Hillsborough counties received close to l5 inches of rain. Many points reported hail, high wind and tornadoes at some point during the period. Resulting high water and river overflow wreaked havoc on roads, bridges and agricultural crops. River overflow and/or accumulated waters in poorly drained areas forced many residents from their homes in several effected counties. Flood on the Hillsborough River considered worst since September l933. Total storm damage, including that of hail, wind, tornadoes, flood and other causes estimated near $20 million, half of which was sustained by agriculture.
March 16, l986 -- Hillsborough Co.-- Thunderstorm winds blew over a trailer and killed a man. Hail damaged vegetable crops.
March l7, l928 -- Lake/Orange Cos.-- Tornado moved from Lake Jem to Mt. Dora. A woman was killed when she was thrown from her disintegrating home.
March l7, l960 -- Polk County, Haines City -- Lightning killed one person.
March l7, l973 -- Central Florida -- Tornado Outbreak -- Five tornadoes struck from Pinellas Co. to Brevard Co. as a squall line ahead of a fast moving cold front swept across the Florida Peninsula. Tornadoes struck near Treasure Island, Zephyrhills, Winter Haven, Haines City, and Sharpes. Three injuries were reported.
March 17, l985 -- Sarasota Co., Venice -- A tornado destroyed 55 CBS houses and caused major damage to l50 houses, minor damage to l00 houses. A 65-year-old woman was killed inside a camper. A 66-year-old man was killed standing on his front porch. 45 people injured.
March17, 1995 -- Volusia Co., Daytona Beach -- A Canadian tourist who had been swimming with two friends drowned in a rip current behind the La Playa Cocktail Lounge.
March l8, l960 -- Hillsborough Co. -- All time record flood crest on Hillsborough River near Zephyrhills.
March l8, l975 -- St. Johns Co., St. Augustine -- Tornado unroofed houses, damaged a school, trailers, and an auto showroom.
March l8, l991 -- Polk Co., Lakeland -- A tornado touched down three times. Thirteen mobile homes destroyed, 85 mobile homes damaged, l90 houses and apartments, telephone, power lines, and trees downed. Two injuries.
March 19, l965 -- Gadsden Co.-- Three-quarter inch hail fell, damaging tobacco shades. Hail covered ground three to 4 inches deep in spots.
March 19, l98l -- Orange Co., Orlando -- A tornado destroyed l2 houses, damaged 35 more, and destroyed two mobile -- injuring one. -- Osceola Co., St. Cloud -- A tornado destroyed four mobile homes, damaged several others, and destroyed a house. Eleven injuries.
March 20, l929 -- Jackson & Gadsden Counties -- All time record flood crest (79.6') on the Apalachicola River at Chattahoochee, near the present day site of Woodruff Dam.
March 20, l964 -- Pinellas Co., St. Petersburg -- Tornado damaged and unroofed 20 homes.
March 20, l984 -- Bay Co., Panama City -- High winds destroyed a motel roof, blew down trees, utility poles, destroyed four townhouses under construction. Twenty car windows
That’s all for this weeks Time Capsule. I hope you enjoyed it. I love to hear from you! Please e-mail me your ideas and suggestions to JOESDISCOWEATHER@AOL.COM. As always, for the latest in severe weather updates and now winter weather updates from your hometown go to JOESDISCOWEATHERCENTRAL.COM! You can also join me for a free cup of coffee and a free copy of The Hometown News at the Stuart K Mart garden center every Saturday morning!