I am convinced, having visited Florida for several days, that these sort of stories are spread, not because Floridans are especially nutty, but because those Floridans who are not nutty enjoy them. They sure do help with a slow news day, and are a lot more interesting than the exact extent and timing of today’s mega thunderstorm.
In the ‘70s and ‘80s my family visited Florida almost every Christmas and Easter, driving - not flying, and taking in the various sights in between (Pedro! South of the Border! (Stock up on fire crackers!) Billboards from 100 miles up north...) - down from the D.C. area.
Never had even a whiff of trouble all along the route, or in Florida. Great times. Things seem to have changed since then. Just opining from the more recent reports.