The entire state of Florida trembled with fear at the vulnerable Panhandle while Hurricane Michael took deadly aim. As it watched from afar, most people worried that this easy-going beachside community would be wiped off the map forever.
The damage was extensive, but thankfully the loss of life wasn’t. What was even more miraculous though was that some homes seemed unscathed while others around them were reduced to rubble. The ones built in their place can withstand a hurricane of this magnitude in the future with proper architecture.
Why were these homes spared while others faltered? Aloha Building Contractors knows 5 reasons why certain Mexico Beach, FL homes survived Hurricane Michael.
- They used impact-resistant glass
One of the most basic things any home or business can do to keep it safe from damage is replace the windows with impact-resistant glass. It’s an investment, but it protects your structure from being blown away. If your windows break, your chances of your home still standing after a big one like Hurricane Michael are extremely slim.
- They were built after 1995 when new codes were enacted
One of the things that made Mexico Beach so charming was the old-style cottage homes lining the streets. Unfortunately, most of those were built in the 1950s on through the 1970s. Builders back then didn’t know what they know today, plus storms are getting stronger. The homes that were built after the state of Florida enacted new building codes, roofing codes, and stonger structues to prevent another catastrophe like Hurricane Andrew happening again. These built after 1995 survived because they were built to withstand it.
- They had hurricane shutters
If your home doesn’t have impact-resistant glass, it absolutely needs hurricane shutters. Without them, that wind gets in and rips it apart. Older homes that had real hurricane shutters on them managed to survive.
- They were properly reinforced
Special nails and metal attachments built in between the roof and walls will keep the roof anchored in place. Many older homes didn’t have this. The Habitat For Humanity homes in the area did though, and while they sustained some other damages, because of this reinforcement to the walls and roofs of these homes, they didn’t blow away.
- They built beyond code
There’s a brand new home that was famously built well-beyond the existing code, making the news as it stood unscathed on the beach while the other homes around it were in shambles. The walls were made with poured concrete that topped off 40-foot pilings. Rebar was put in every wall and they went over the top in protecting it. Building codes required that homes should be built to withstand winds of 120 mph but this home went that extra mile, built to withstand winds that are up to 250 mph.
If you’d like to rebuild your home to survive a hurricane or reinforce it to protect it should another roll through, let Aloha Building Contractors of Panama City, FL help keep your property strong and safe in Mexico Beach, Lynn Haven and the surrounding areas! We specialize in roofing, remodels, new construction, and even custom home builds for the area.