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Ground Zero: ‘Unimaginable Destruction’ In Mexico Beach (With Gallery)
October 15, 2018
This is ground zero.
Hurricane Michael made landfall in Mexico Beach about about 12:30 last Wednesday afternoon as one of the strongest hurricanes on record to hit the United States. The high-end Category 4 hurricane was the third-strongest by pressure, the fourth most powerful by wind speed.
The 155-mph maximum sustained winds with a 9 to 14 foot storm surge caused what Gov. Rick Scott called “unimaginable destruction”. Lives were lost; many are still unaccounted for in Mexico Beach.
Mexico Beach was a quiet little town of just over 1,000 people. It was not a huge tourist destination with the hustle and bustle of Panama City Beach. There were no traffic lights. It was the “Forgotten Beach” a little seaside community, a quiet vacation spot.
But now it’s gone.
House after house was either blown or washed away. In may areas, nothing more than a foundation remains.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Mexico Beach, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Sheena Carach, click to enlarge.
Comments
5 Responses to “Ground Zero: ‘Unimaginable Destruction’ In Mexico Beach (With Gallery)”
@ Niknak50…..I grew up around that area in the ’40s and ’50s. I know there are some real estate and development companies licking their chops over getting a hold on that prime land. The rural parts of Tyndall along the coast are some of the last virgin beach property available in Florida. I really hope this area, even as government property, does not turn into another condo haven.
But, as a hypocrite, I wish I could get some of my old family land taken by the government in the late ’30s when Ft. Rucker was built…but, that’s another story.
What I would like explained to me is this: I had an Oak limb as big around as a car is wide to fall on my roof and Insurance Agent stated that they would cover the damages and removal of tree limb (tree) BUT, the remaining portion of the Oak would be what the Insurance Industry calls a Known Hazard and would not cover any more damages if any remaining limbs ( I call them trees being they are HUGE) fell on my house. With that said, How is it that CHOOSING to live on the beach is not considered “Known Hazard” and the people who choose to live out there are not treated the same. Those people can have their properties demolished by KNOWN Hurricane Activity during 5 months out of a year only to have their properties fixed / repaired / replaced over and over again if hit by a storm???
And another I would like answered is WHY their Insurance is PAID by Citizens who choose not to live on a Known Hazard (Beach) ??? If they can’t get insurance that is their problem not the citizens. Those living on the beach knew going in that it is a hazard living on the Beach and should be told that the Insurance industry their properties will only be rebuilt/replaced ONE TIME by their own Insurance (Not from Citizens) just like they treat the “Little Man”. Treat everyone Fair and Square is all that is being asked. There was a song I once sang when in children’ church that the LORD builds his house on ROCK and not “SINKING SAND”. QUIT building on the Beach … It is too costly to repair/replace and AGAIN it is not up to the Citizens to pay for their Insurance for those on the beach. We all already have Insurance and no need to pay for theirs. It is WRONG !!!!!!!
They had the biggest scallops in the water. The guys at Tyndall knew this and knew how to grill them too. I hope they will rebuild and stay small. Not every spot on the gulf needs a high rise haven on it.
Tyndall will be back, It is there for reason. It needed remodeling .
My heart and prayers go out to all, how does it feel to know everything you had is gone with the wind. It really is tragic. Going forward, Tyndall Afb in all probability will be written off and closed. A huge economic loss to the whole area.