Niceville - Bluewater Bay question...

[patticakes]

historically, how well has niceville/bluewater bay held up during hurricanes? any flooding issues? if the island is breached, where does it go? are you any safer from flooding etc. living inland (ex: crestview) than in the niceville area?

 

[beachmouse]

Most of the area is in the 30-60 feet above sea level range, so unless you're really close to the bay, flooding generally isn't seen as much of an issue. County surge maps that will give you a general area of trouble spots are here:

http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/severe_weather_hurricane_surge_maps.html

(and if anyone else is reading here, check out the Destin West map for an idea of just why it's such a bad idea to buy in the Holiday Isle area)

Also, the geography of Choctawhatchee Bay makes for less of a flooding concern on the north shore- you've got a 40 mile line that the water can flow against, not a very narrow and skinny funnel like you get in Mobile Bay, Escambia Bay or Tampa Bay.

One thing to look for wherever you end up is underground utilities. Where I live is all underground, and we never lost power during Ivan. The big problems the area has during storms are non-native trees going down (laurel oaks are evil) and moderate roof damage in some areas, and post-Opal roofs are under a newer, much tougher roofing code.

 

[Rita]

BeachMouse

I alway learn stuff that interests me from your posts, even if I'm not in the market to buy in the area now, I'd like to get some family to relocate and your posts always provide useful info for "down the road".

 

[patticakes]

thank you beachmouse, again! you've been very helpful!

 

[Smiling JOe]

Most of the area is in the 30-60 feet above sea level range, so unless you're really close to the bay, flooding generally isn't seen as much of an issue. County surge maps that will give you a general area of trouble spots are here:

http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/severe_weather_hurricane_surge_maps.html

(and if anyone else is reading here, check out the Destin West map for an idea of just why it's such a bad idea to buy in the Holiday Isle area)

Also, the geography of Choctawhatchee Bay makes for less of a flooding concern on the north shore- you've got a 40 mile line that the water can flow against, not a very narrow and skinny funnel like you get in Mobile Bay, Escambia Bay or Tampa Bay.

One thing to look for wherever you end up is underground utilities. Where I live is all underground, and we never lost power during Ivan. The big problems the area has during storms are non-native trees going down (laurel oaks are evil) and moderate roof damage in some areas, and post-Opal roofs are under a newer, much tougher roofing code.

I thought the Choc Bay was only 27 miles long east to west. Are you refering to the length of shoreline along the bayous, etc.?

 

[beachmouse]

Guess on my part. I was thinking "okay it's a little more than 20 miles from my house to the 3-Thirty-1, then add what's what's east of Freeport, and west of the Mid Bay Bridge..." Somehow I thought the bay went further east of Freeport than it does.

And while it's not SoWal, Okaloosa does have its charms- somewhat cheaper real estate, best schools in the state, and very easy to spend every weekend day at Grayton Beach or Topsail if I want to.