Flood Preparedness in Orange Beach & Ono Island | Coastal Homeowner Guide

Flood Preparedness on the Gulf Coast: What Every Orange Beach and Ono Island Homeowner Should Know

Living along the Gulf Coast means embracing the water—its beauty, its rhythm, and sometimes, its challenges. Whether you own a home in Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ or on Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/, understanding how to prepare for potential flooding is an essential part of coastal living.

The Baldwin County Building Department recently sent letters reminding property owners that areas like ours have experienced multiple flood events and claims filed with FEMA. As part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS), Baldwin County helps…

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Gulf Coast Blue Crab Claws in White Wine Butter

Coastal Blue Crab Claws in White Wine Butter

By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon

I love simple coastal dishes that let the seafood speak. This is the sauté I order after a day on the water and the one I make at home when friends stop by. It’s fast, elegant, and perfect with warm bread for dipping.

Yield and Timing

• Serves: 4 as an appetizer, 2 as a light supper

• Time: 20 minutes, start to finish

Ingredients

For the sauce

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• 1 small shallot, minced

• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper…

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Best Boats for Orange Beach Homeowners: Draft, Depth, and Design for Every Waterway

Best Boats for Orange Beach Homeowners: Draft, Depth & Design for Every Waterway | Search the Gulf

BEST BOATS FOR ORANGE BEACH HOMEOWNERS: DRAFT, DEPTH, AND DESIGN FOR EVERY WATERWAY

I measure my days in tides and light. In Orange Beach, Alabama, mornings begin with a gull’s laugh over Terry Cove and end with a golden hush sliding across Bayou St. John. Between those moments lies the joy of choice: drift toward Old River or idle through Cotton Bayou; chase a bluewater sunrise through Perdido Pass or anchor behind Robinson Island while the kids cannonball from the swim ladder. I’m a homeowner and real estate advisor here—and the question I’m asked most is simple: “What’s the perfect boat for my dock?”

The right answer lives…

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Investment Opportunities in Orange Beach & Ono Island, Alabama | Build Equity with Custom Home Construction

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ORANGE BEACH & ONO ISLAND, ALABAMA 

By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

Why Orange Beach and Ono Island Continue to Attract Smart Investors

As an expert real estate advisor specializing in Orange Beach and Ono Island, I’m seeing growing interest from investors seeking opportunities along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. With its blend of pristine waterfronts, boating access, and strong rental demand, this region offers unique ways to build long-term equity.

A 6% drop in Orange Beach single-family home inventory last month signals that the market is shifting. With roughly 11 months of inventory and a median sold…

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Navigating Boats Around Orange Beach & Perdido Pass: A Local Guide

NAVIGATING BOATS AROUND ORANGE BEACH & PERDIDO PASS: A LOCAL GUIDE

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

I run these waters constantly—Orange Beach, Ono Island, Perdido Pass, and the back bays—and I keep a running list of notes to help friends and clients make confident, courteous runs. Below is my first-person guide to reading the water, understanding markers and wake zones, and knowing where extra caution pays off across Perdido Pass, the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Ole River, Bayou St. John, Terry Cove, Cotton Bayou, the canals, and the open Gulf.

Heads-up: Conditions change with tide, wind, and storms. This guidance is local…

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When (and How) to Double-Down on a Purchase Contract on the Gulf Coast

WHEN (AND HOW) TO DOUBLE-DOWN ON A PURCHASE CONTRACT ON THE GULF COAST

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

When I say “double-down,” I’m talking about leaning in with stronger, cleaner terms once a property clearly aligns with your goals—whether it’s a bay-front home in Gulf Shores, a waterfront address on Ono Island, or a condo steps from the sand in Orange Beach. Done right, doubling down projects certainty without giving up smart protections.

When it’s time to double-down

• Scarcity is real. True deep-water docking, walk-to-the-beach access, and unobstructed views are finite along the Alabama–Florida coast. If substitutes are…

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Living the Boating Lifestyle on Ono Island

ONO ISLAND: A BOATER’S PARADISE

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.

Living the Boating Lifestyle on Ono Island

When I think about what makes Ono Island truly special, the word that always comes to mind is boating. This private island community in Orange Beach was designed with the water in mind. Nearly every turn reveals a sparkling view of Bayou St. John, Old River, or the Intracoastal Waterway. For those of us who love the water, it really is a boater’s paradise.

Many of my neighbors say the same thing: “It’s like living in a marina, but with the privacy of home.” Waterfront living here isn’t just about the view—it’s about access. Whether…

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Why Azimut Yachts Are a Popular Choice on the Gulf Coast and Orange Beach, Alabama

Luxury on the Water: Why Azimut Yachts Are a Popular Choice on the Gulf Coast

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.

When I’m out on the water near Orange Beach or cruising past Ono Island, there are certain yachts that immediately catch your eye. One that always stands out is the Azimut, especially models in the 70–80 foot range like the Azimut Fly 72 or Azimut 77S. These yachts embody the perfect balance of Italian luxury, performance, and design—making them one of the most popular choices on the Gulf Coast.

Why Azimut Yachts Turn Heads

The first thing you notice about an Azimut is its sleek profile and modern lines. With panoramic…

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Does Ono Island Have Beach Access? Clearing Up a Common Misconception

Does Ono Island Have Beach Access? Clearing Up a Common Misconception

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.

As a homeowner and real estate advisor on Ono Island, I’m often asked: “Does Ono Island have its own private beach?”

It’s a very common misconception. The answer is no—Ono Island does not have a private or community beach access. This guard-gated island was created to offer privacy, security, and a boating lifestyle, but it is not a Gulf-front beach community.

Where to Find the Closest Beaches

While a few individual homeowners may have small sandy stretches on their own property, these are private and not available to all residents.…

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Why I Love Living on the Gulf Coast | Meredith Amon | Real Estate Information

Finding Home on the Gulf Coast

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

There’s something about walking along the sugar-white dunes at sunset that reminds me why I chose to call the Gulf Coast home. I took this photo on a quiet evening, standing on the soft sand while the sky transformed with pastel hues. The stillness of the moment—waves breaking in the distance, the smell of salt in the air, and the sweeping views across the dunes—captures the essence of what it feels like to live here.

Living on the Gulf Coast is more than just owning a house near the water. It’s about finding a place where life slows down, where neighbors stop to chat after a walk on the beach, and where every day ends with the promise of a sunset over the…

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