2004 Hurricanes

One of the most memorable times in Southern Oaks were the months of August and September in 2004. 

• On 13 August 2004 about 9:30 PM, Hurricane Charlie, a category 4 storm, came right over Southern Oaks. Buckwood Drive looked as if a tornado passed right down the street. Trees were down in all directions and as the neighborhood awakened the next morning, the residents came out of their homes completely stunned. No one could believe what had happened over night.  It was a bitter/sweet time, and many of us finally met our long time neighbors as we inspected the damage. We even formed a large circle of prayer in the middle of Northglenn and Buckwood Drive while surrounded by fallen trees; after all, no one was going anywhere. Estimated damage for Florida was $14 billion and 27 people were killed.
• On 5 September 2004, Hurricane Frances struck Orlando.  Frances was a slow moving storm and seemed to last forever. We received lots of rain and lost power; however, many of the trees were already downed by her predecessor. Estimated damage for Florida was $10 billion and 3 people were killed.
• On 15 September 2004, we received another visitor, Hurricane Ivan, a category 3 storm.  Estimated damage for Florida was $20 billion and 20 people were killed.
• Believe it or not, on 25 September 2004 we received the fourth hurricane within a 6 week period, Hurricane Jeanne, a category 3 storm.  Estimated damage for Florida was $12 billion and 6 people were killed.

As a result of the 4 storms, 400 large truck loads of tree debris were removed from Southern Oaks. Overall, approximately one out of every five homes in Florida was damaged by the 2004 hurricane train. If you had a chance to fly over Orlando, all you could see were blue tarps covering all the damaged roofs. It was quite a sight to see!