mitchell wrote:psyclone wrote:Building codes will never be able to accommodate an extreme high end storm like Michael. We'd have to live in a concrete bunker which defeats the whole concept of coastal living. Michael turned into a true "run for your life" storm and come back to fight another day. Building codes stand the best chance of reducing $ damage in a more moderate event...think of a cat 2 or low end 3 like a Wilma in south florida for example.
agree...building houses that are capable of withstanding category 4/5 winds and storm surge is possible but totally impractical for the vast majority of the market.
-First floors 10-15 feet above grade
-Foundations and exterior walls capable of withstanding violent impacts from other waterborne or airborne buildings/boats/infrastruture
-Every window with heavily reinforced shutters/protection
It would probably double or triple the cost of a house just to protect it from an event that has perhaps a 1% - 10% chance of occurring in the building's lifetime.
And even with all of that - even the smallest crack is going to lead to interior water damage that will cost alot of repair.