Residents of the state of Florida face a number of unique fears that reflect the peculiarities of life in this state. From the unbearable heat to the constant threat of hurricanes and the presence of crocodilesfear in Florida takes unusual but very real forms.
According to a survey carried out by the chain WFLA on their social networks, the fears of Floridians are part of the daily life in the Sunshine State. While its residents enjoy a place full of natural beauty, theme parks and spectacular beaches, they also face very particular fears that are not as common in other parts of the country.
1. Broken air conditioning
According to data from the US Department of Ecology, 99.5 percent of Florida homes have air-conditioning. This is significantly higher than the national average of 87 percent. Air conditioning usage in Florida is highest in the summer months. In August, 99.2 percent of homes use air conditioning.
In Florida, air conditioning is a necessity, and when it fails, the stifling heat becomes a nightmare. The simple idea of the air conditioning in your car or, worse yet, at home, stopping working can cause real panic.
2. Hurricanes
According to data from the United States National Hurricane Center, the number of hurricanes reaching Florida has increased in recent decades. In the period from 1991 to 2022, there were an average of 2.4 hurricanes that reached Florida per year. This is a 20 percent increase. compared to the period from 1961 to 1990, when there was an average of 2 hurricanes that reached Florida per year.
This increase in hurricane activity in Florida represents a significant risk to the state. Hurricanes can cause widespread damage to property and infrastructure, as well as loss of life.
3. Crocodiles
Crocodiles and alligators are reptiles that are abundant in Florida, and their presence is a reality that scares many. The unwritten rule in Florida is to always assume there may be an alligator swimming or sunbathing nearby..
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) conducts an annual census of alligators in the state. The census is based on reports of the crocodile population, as well as direct observations by FWC officials. According to the 2022 census, there are approximately 1,300,000 crocodiles in Florida. This is a 20 percent increase from the 2021 census
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4. Traffic on I-4
The Florida Department of Transportation collects data on traffic on state highways. According to the agency’s data, Interstate 4 is one of the most congested highways in Florida. In 2022, the highway experienced an average of 15 hours of congestion per day. This is more than any other state highway in Florida.
According to the authorities, among the main causes of congestion on I-4 are the increase in traffic in the Orlando metropolitan areapopulation growth in Central Florida and the construction of new developments in the area.
I-4 connects the cities of tampa and Daytona Beach. The highway has a length of 236 km and crosses the center of the state, connecting cities such as Lakeland, orlando, Kissimmee and Sanford.
5. Sharks
The FWC conducts an annual shark census in the state. In 2022, it was recorded that There are approximately 300 species of sharks that inhabit Florida waters.. Most of these are small and pose no threat to humans. However, there are some large and dangerous species, such as the white shark and the tiger shark.
A study published in 2023 by the scientific journal PLOS ONE found that the shark population in Florida is increasing. The study found that the increase in the shark population in Florida is caused by a number of factors, including the global temperature increase, which is causing sharks to expand northward; the decline in fish population, which are the main food source for sharks; and the legal protection of sharkswhich has allowed the population to recover from overfishing.
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