In the Aftermath of Ivan...
Hurricane Ivan (cont'd) -
DESTIN:
Much of Destin fared somewhat better during Hurricane Ivan. There
was damage, of course, but considering the strength of Ivan, Destin
may have lived up to its nickname as "the world’s luckiest
fishing village”. However, some sub-standard homes right
on the beach, may not have fared as well? Low roadways were flooded
and some businesses were damaged but the beach was spared the inevitable
erosion in most parts of the World’s most beautiful beach.
Destin as a whole did not suffer too much of Ivan’s wrath and should be back in business very soon.
This
time, Panama City Beach dodged a big bullet..
Highway 98 and most other main roads in Destin received very little if any damage and are open to traffic. Power and other utilities are being restored rapidly and by the time you read this most businesses and homes will have utilities fully restored.
Surface damage seems to be the main story around Destin…missing shingles, shattered windows, wet carpet, over-turned signs and similar problems that can be fixed in a relatively short amount of time! All of which is great news for Destin and Destin-lovers.
One thing to remember…Destin has been through this before and is always well-prepared for any hurricane and its aftermath. Businesses are reopening by the day, docks are being rebuilt and debris is quickly being removed. Beach cleanup has already begun and in no time, Destin will be more beautiful than ever. So - if you're planning a vacation here, just give the Emerald Coast a little time to clean up, then confirm your reservations with your hotel and…come on down... because every business in the Panhandle…needs your business!
TripSmarter.Com's Destin Forums are alive with people asking questions and posting photos of Destin after the storm. Online communities are an amazing tool and can help in the exchange of useful and valuable information. Jump in and ask a question, post a photo, or just share your thoughts about Destin.
PANAMA CITY BEACH:
Panama City Beach knows what it's like to be hit hard by a hurricane.
Only 9 short years ago, Hurricane Opal made landfall just west
of Panama City Beach and left the community in ruins. Homes were
destroyed, businesses were lost, roads were damaged and it took
many months for Panama City Beach to fully recover.
This time, Panama City Beach dodged a big bullet.
With the exception of an isolated area of damage from a tornado near Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach woke up after Hurricane Ivan virtually unscathed. Minor beach erosion (estimated at 4 ft. in most places), a few flooded businesses and homes, and very minor wind damage is good news. In fact, it's GREAT news! Of course, any damage to homes and certainly the loss of life is a tragedy…but it could have been so much worse!
Power has been restored to all customers and almost all businesses have reopened. Visitors are already making their way back to The World's Most Beautiful Beaches and everyone looks forward to “business as usual” once again!
No major roadway or structural damage was reported, except for a couple of businesses hit by the Thomas Drive tornado. All tree limbs and downed power lines will soon be cleared and in no time, Panama City Beach will be 100% and back in business!
So - if you have plans to visit Panama City Beach in the near future... KEEP THEM! Confirm your reservations with your hotel and enjoy The World's Most Beautiful Beaches!
TripSmarter.Com's Panama City Beach Forums are alive with people asking questions and posting photos of the Beach after Ivan. Online communities are an amazing tool and can help in the exchange of useful and valuable information. Jump in and ask a question, post a photo, or just share your thoughts about the Beach.
Read a first-hand account of Hurricane Ivan’s
approach, the Thomas Drive Tornado, and other scary moments posted
as they happened in the TripSmarter.Com Forums:
Here’s
the Hurricane…
