Hurricanes and Florida. For the past two years, they seem to go together.

The year 2004 saw four hurricanes land here (Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne). And 2005 didn't seem to be much better, with Florida being effected by another four hurricanes (Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma). Granted, Katrina and Rita were only category one storms when they waltzed on by, but Dennis and Wilma were a different story.

Once, Twice, Three Times Unlucky

Unfortunately, I live in the part of Florida that we now jokingly call "hurricane central", because we've been hit three times so far, with Frances, Jeanne and Wilma. So I got to thinking: what are the odds that one state would get hit by four hurricanes in one year, not to mention eight times in 14 months?

Oh, and that my particular part of the state would get hit three times in 13 months?

I had to wait a little bit to do all my research, because power and phone lines were down all over the county in which I live -- no internet. But here's what I found once I was back on line.

Would You Believe...

I searched and searched, but I couldn't find any statistics on the chances of Florida getting hit so often of late. And you don't want me coming up with the stats myself (it was not one of my better subjects at school).

But if it was up to me, I'd say that getting a direct hit 3 times in 13 months would be next to impossible (statistically speaking).

I did find some charts where Florida does seem to attract more hurricanes than any other state. Prior to the 2004 and 2005 seasons, our last big storm was Andrew in 1992. So we had a little more than a decade of quietude. I do remember several "hurricane days" (work is cancelled and you sit at home, glued to the TV) between 1993 and 2003, but the storms curved at the last minute and spared us.

And I'd just as soon not have any more hurricanes appearing at my front door.

Now what are the chances that I'll get a direct hit a fourth time next year?

Don't Be Afraid to Visit

So, does all the above make you feel that Florida is taboo, and you should never visit again (or for the first time)? Don't let the statistics or the nightly news scare you. Most of the year we are storm-free and have lovely weather. Just keep in mind that if you decide to vacation here from mid-July through mid-October, there is always the possibility of wild winds blowing.

Gail Nettles is a Florida native who enjoys introducing the (mostly) Sunshine State to visitors. She also publishes the websites http://www.great-florida-vacations.com and http://www.your-florida-keys-vacation.com.