Tampa, FL - Another Tropical Storm/Hurricane (Fay) has missed the Tampa Bay area.  This is not a surprise for those of us who have lived in Tampa for many years.  I have been here, on and off, since 1979.  During that time, several hurricanes have formed and could have headed directly for us.  However, to this date none have (knock-on-wood, as my grandmother used to say) directly hit us with severe hurrican force winds.

I suspect that there are those who may have wanted to move to, or purchase second homes in Florida but decided not to because of the hurricane threat.  While it is possible that major storms can hit Tampa, it has been a very long time since one actually has.

Now, I understand that a statistician might evaluate this information and say that we are 'due' for one to hit.  However, another argument is that some unknown or unseen force of nature (upper winds and area weather patterns?) prevents storms from moving through the Tampa Bay area.

The point here is: while hurricanes are very real and they do occasionally hit Florida... Tampa seems to be far less vulnerable than other areas of the state.  So, for those thinking of moving to, or buying in Florida... Come On Down (to quote a very old orange juice commercial)!  But forget about Miami, Jacksonville, or especially the Panhandle area... Set your sights on Tampa.