Tornadoes And Hurricanes In Panama City, Florida

storms in panama city

For the most part, I enjoy the weather here, but there are times that it needs an attitude adjustment. Tornadoes and hurricanes in Panama City and PCB are part of the package. It's not a fun topic, but I think we should address it. Bottom line: Don't be scared. Be prepared.

Let me preface it by saying that when you hear about a storm from your weather app, don't automatically go into panic mode. As someone who suffers from anxiety myself, I know how easily that can happen.

I've lived here long enough now to find that a "storm" can end up being a couple claps of thunder and a rain downpour that can end in 15 minutes. Being so close to bodies of water, lightning, thunder, wind, and rain can come and go quickly. In other words. take the word "storm" with a grain of salt. That said, do be aware.


What Is The Differences Between A Hurricane And A Tornado?

florida flag guy

This was a good thing for me to learn and so I want to pay it forward and share that info with you.

I've quickly learned that native Floridians are generally not afraid of hurricanes and tornadoes. They tend to thumb their nose at them. Brave or foolish? You be the judge. Bottom line though is they have been around the area long enough to get a real feel for these nasty storms.

Hurricanes are larger and can cause more widespread damage, while tornadoes are smaller and more intense.

Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters and can have wind speeds of up to 157 mph (You'll find the hurricane category explanations below). They can also cause storm surge, which is a rise in the sea level that can hit coastal areas. Hurricanes can also cause flooding, power outages, and structural damage.

Tornadoes, on the other hand, are rotating columns of air that can form over land or water. They can have wind speeds of up to 300 mph, and they can cause widespread damage in a matter of minutes. Tornadoes can also cause debris to fly through the air, which can pose a serious hazard to people and property. Remember the Wizard Of Oz? They look similar, but lack the drama of landing in a land full of Munchkins.


What Is More Dangerous? Tornadoes Or Hurricanes?

It depends on the specific storm and the location of the impact. In general, hurricanes are more dangerous because they can affect a larger area and cause more widespread damage. However, tornadoes can be more intense and pose a greater risk of death or injury. Six of one, half dozen of the other. Ask me whether I'd rather be bitten by a Badger or a Tasmanian Devil. I'll tell you neither.


What All This About Hurricane Season?

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, but the peak months for hurricanes in Panama City and the rest of Florida are August and September. This is because the water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico are warmest during these months, which is basically the gas that fuels a hurricane. The water here is often like stepping into a warm bath as it is.

🚨 Now, I want to make it very clear to you that just because you hear that Hurricane Season is here, doesn't mean that every one of them will make landfall. The majority of them stay out to sea, with an eventual turn North, until they eventually die the death they deserve. Most hurricanes out in the Atlantic are the very definition of a "fish storm." Finally, Panama City and Panama City Beach are located on the western side of the state, not the east where the Atlantic Ocean is. Please, get that firmly cemented in your mind. Now, take a breath. 😁

bad weather in panama city

What Do The Hurricane Categories Mean?

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale rates hurricanes on a scale of 1 to 5, based on their sustained wind speeds. The categories are:

  • Category 1: 74-95 mph
  • Category 2: 96-110 mph
  • Category 3: 111-129 mph
  • Category 4: 130-156 mph

Storms that reach Category 3 or above are considered Major Hurricanes. These storms can cause significant loss of life and damage. For example, a strong Category 3 storm can cause up to 60 times as much damage as a weak Category 1 storm.

The most devastating hurricanes are Category 5 storms, which have sustained winds of at least 157 mph. These storms can destroy framed homes, cause roofs to fail, and collapse walls. Fallen trees and power poles can also isolate residential areas.

I've seen a couple people on social media make reference to category 6 hurricanes. Don't believe it. There is no category 6. 🙄


Don't Be Scared. Be Prepared...

Florida is a place prepared for it all though. Our infrastructure and home construction is all built with this sort of weather in mind. We're always prepared, just in case.

If you live in Florida, it is important to be prepared for hurricane season. Here are some tips:

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Have a plan in place for what you will do if a hurricane hits. This plan should include where you'll go, what supplies you will need, and how you will communicate with family and friends. Make sure your mobile devices are charged up. You may consider getting a mobile power bank like this one.

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Make sure you have a disaster supply kit that includes food, water, first-aid supplies, and other essential items.

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Trim trees and shrubs that could fall on your home during a storm.

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Secure loose objects in your yard, such as patio furniture and garbage cans. I try to keep loose, outside items in my shed or right up close to my house.

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Stay informed about the latest hurricane forecasts and warnings. Make sure your mobile phone is charged and that you have flashlights and a decent supply of batteries.

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If the powers-that-be call for a mandatory evacuation, it will be in your best interest to heed the warning. There's a time to stay and a time to go. Use your wisdom and do what is best for you and your family.

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It is a really good idea to get yourself a NOAA Emergency Weather Radio. Some of the best features to have: Solar charging, AM/FM, lights, and a way to recharge your devices. Here's a popular one that gets really nice ratings.

Important Resources...

tornado home panama city beach

Here are some good resources for hurricane preparedness:

Florida Division of Emergency Management: https://www.floridadisaster.org/

National Hurricane Center: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

Bay County Disaster Preparedness Guide. Download the PDF. It's a fantastic resource to have on hand! 

Another good resource to get up-to-date information, weather warnings, alerts, and important community news is the Alert Bay Emergency Notification System. Download their mobile app at http://www.alertbay.org/

At the same time, know what is going on by checking up on the Panama City weather with your phone, on the local news, or on the Internet. In my opinion, the best person to subscribe to on YouTube is Ryan Hall Ya'll. Ryan is fantastic! He knows his stuff, is dedicated, has amazing resources at his disposal, and is not a sensationalist. That's important to me when faced with weather trouble. You can find his channel here.

** DISCLAIMER **

There are a lot of other web sites about the areas that are perfectly content with blowing daisies up your skirt and telling you how perfect everything here is. Not me. There is not a place in the entire world that doesn't have it's bads along with it's goods. I'm here to be straight and honest with you. There is no other way to be and sleep peacefully at night. All our safety is too important.

That said, knowing all I know about this stuff and experiencing it personally, there is no other place I'd rather live than Panama City, Florida.

Weather Station

You may want to seriously consider investing in a personal weather station and/or a good the NOAA Weather Radio I talked about above. When you feel prepared, there's a sense of calm that takes over. In the midst of a storm, piece of mind is a great thing to have.


Waffle House & Hurricanes In Panama City...

Waffle House Panama City Florida

There's a rule of thumb here in Panama City, PCB, and all over Florida and it's something to keep in mind. Although it's humorous, it seems to be true. As long as your local Waffle House is open before and during any hurricanes in Panama City and PCB, you're going to be okay. If that Waffle House closes, it's time for you to get out of Dodge!

Dealing with tornadoes and hurricanes in Panama City and all over Florida is just something that you need to do. With every good thing, sometimes there's a bad thing.

I really hope that this helps ease your mind and feel better about storms around here. I'm serious. Being informed about something is half the battle right here. Not being aware just causes anxiety and fear to take hold. If you know all of this, you can act appropriately. I definitely don't want to scare you, just make you aware. As I said elsewhere, living near water and beaches is the trade-off I'm willing to make.


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