First American Issues Storm Surge Report

In its 2010 Storm Surge report, First American Corp. reviewed the vulnerability of 13 U.S. cities to hurricane damage. Included in the study are three Florida metropolitan areas. The report, available at www.firstam.com, offered the following commentary on Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami-Dade.

Jacksonville

Category 5 Exposure: $16,491,919,613.00

Hurricane Probability: Extreme

Storm-Surge Vulnerability: High

Residential Density: High

A Category 5 hurricane striking the Jacksonville area could cause up to $16.5 billion worth of damage and would affect over 106,000 properties in the area. Even if the hurricane is only a Category 1 storm, it could cause area residents total property damage of over $2.3 billion, affecting over 9,000 homes. In a Category 5 hurricane, seven different areas would suffer property damage of over $1 billion, and one -- the Jacksonville Beach area -- would suffer property damage of over $2 billion.

Tampa

Category 5 Exposure: $32,996,673,915.00

Hurricane Probability: Extreme

Storm-Surge Vulnerability: High

Residential Density: High

A Category 5 hurricane striking the Tampa shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico could cause nearly $33 billion worth of property damage and inundate nearly 244,000 properties with storm surge. Eight areas would suffer property damage of over $1 billion. Even if the hurricane is only a Category 1 storm, it could cause area residents total property damage of over $9.4 billion, affecting over 50,000 homes. Residential areas that would be most hit by a hurricane would be several areas of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Oldsmar, although other areas would also be heavily impacted.

Miami-Dade

Category 5 Exposure: $53,633,764,539.00

Hurricane Probability: Extreme

Storm-Surge Vulnerability: High

Residential Density: Extreme

If a Category 5 hurricane hits Miami, the cost to property could be well over $50 billion, and would affect over 254,000 properties in the area. Even if the hurricane is only a Category 1 storm, it could cause area residents total property damage of over $20 billion, impacting over 55,000 homes. In a Category 5 hurricane, the Palm Beach, Miami, Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter areas would be worst hit, sustaining well over $12 billion worth of damage.