How do i know if my home can withstand a hurricane?

[Noah]

I live in sarasota fl. in a condominium on the second floor. I feel we would be safe here due to flodding but not wind..i hear the roof creak with 35 mlh wind. They look nice on the outside but... how do i know what they can withstand? Last years hurricane season had my personal things in plastic bags till the season ended, i packed for charlie and left everything packed, my family was hit by charlie..the eye went right over 2 of their homes, twisters all around them, the homes stays standing, but all else around them came down.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but in Charley of course you probably got Tropical Storm/Minimal Hurricane Winds, not the sustained 150 mph Category Four winds Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda recieved in the eye. Personally, I would not ride out anything above 115 mph.

[Aquawind]

Well if you plan on staying in hurricane force winds for an extended time unlike your regular severe weather event you need to check the structure for roof straps and reinforcements.. Structural design also plays a major factor but you would best to have a professional inspect the entire building and split the costs.. IMO if a 35mph winds bothers you chances are you would be best finding an alternate location and plan for it.

The Fact of the matter is most problems aren't directly from the storm but indirect and only good planning will have you prepared for the unexpected..

Of course if your in a evacuation zone consider your roof gone with another 10 hours of at least TS winds and water half way up the building already...might get kinda scary for the weak and the strong..

Paul

[Noah]

Who can check my condo? Im in a unit of like 10 buildings..i should ask management huh?

[wlfpack81]

I'd suggest evacuation if a fairly strong hurricane is coming your way (say anything w/winds over 105-110 like what Floydbuster mentioned). Why risk it!? I don't think you'd want to deal w/being in the dark with the sounds of pounding rain, driving wind and transformers blowing around you.

[Aquawind]

That is exactly where I would start.. now keep in mind they might tell you it has some rating..I would still consider verifying the construction and asking the management to have it inspected for hurricane protection..it saves on insurance as well..

Paul

[Noah]

ok..will do and get back to you on this. The season is coming..and im getting ready

[george_r_1961]

Unless im in a VERY sturdy structure I would evacuate for anything over a Cat 1. Call me a wimp if you want but after Isabel I have seen first hand with Cat 1 conditions can do around here. Keep in mind that in my area to experience hurricane conditions the storm usually has to pass to the south and then west of me..putting me in the dreaded right front quadrant. That is also where tornadoes occur and there have been several strong tornadoes assciated with landfalling tropical cyclones here.

[rainstorm]

better to be safe than sorry

[Scorpion]

I evacuate only if it's a Cat 5, even then I would reconsider. I would rather be in my house protecting it than leave it open for looters etc during the aftermath. Also, leaving during Jeanne was the stupidest thing my parents thought of, because we had to pay several thousand $$ in water damage that we couldve prevented had we stayed.

[wxman57]

Yes, but in Charley of course you probably got Tropical Storm/Minimal Hurricane Winds, not the sustained 150 mph Category Four winds Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda recieved in the eye. Personally, I would not ride out anything above 115 mph.

Actually, Sarasota recorded sustained wind of only 27 kts with gusts to 31 kts in Charley. Charley had a very small wind field, mostly right of the track.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004charley.shtml?

[wlfpack81]

I evacuate only if it's a Cat 5, even then I would reconsider. I would rather be in my house protecting it than leave it open for looters etc during the aftermath. Also, leaving during Jeanne was the stupidest thing my parents thought of, because we had to pay several thousand $$ in water damage that we couldve prevented had we stayed.

No offense but after a Cat 5 wouldn't be anything left to loot from your house b/c the house would more than likely be destroyed. Seriously anything over a Cat 3 and you should consider leaving, especially if you're along the coast. But then again it's your decision however, I'd hope if you had young kids that you at least send them out of harms way. Again it's my theory that kids shouldn't have to suffer b/c of what i see as a bad decision to not evac if a dangerous storm (Cat 3+) is heading towards a coastal community.

[gatorcane]

Yes, anything CAT 3 and above you should evacuate or you are a big idiot in my opinion. You standing at your house yelling at the storm is going to do any good. lol.

[Scorpion]

The area I live in is very new(7 years) and the houses can easily withstand Cat 5 winds as they are up to the recent code. During Frances and Jeanne our home was rock solid, except for a few roof tiles.

[depotoo]

scorpion - you never know what you may not know - our house is supposed to have all these new codes too but, guess what, only by accident did we find out that it's not! you can't assume anything - the inspectors are overworked and you don't always get what you pay for!

[gtalum]

I can't wait until I build a home. My current house seems solid, but as has been mentioned it's hard to tell for sure. It was built in 1994, so should have som rudimentary Andrew-type improvements.

When I build my next home, though, it will be hurricane proof, or as hurricane proof as it can be, complete with a reinforced concrete bunker room somewhere in the middle.

[StormChasr]

There is no such thing as a home that can withstand a Cat 5 hurricane. A direct hit from any major could cause structural damage to even the best built home. Thus, it is imperative to evacuate if told to do so. Charley was a "back door" direct hit on this area, and did MAJOR damage as a strong Cat 1 on exit. Frances was over 100 miles to the South, and roofs were lost, even 10-15 miles inland. So, there are no assurances of safety from a hurricane. The Andrew code did some to improve building quality, but homes are still extremely vulnerable. People don't realize that concrete block homes are not waterproof, unless painted with elastomeric paint.

[george_r_1961]

I remember seeing what was left of the 'hurricane proof" homes in Mississippi after Camille hit. In many cases even the foundations were gone. In no case was even a wall left standing.

[Robert]

I live in a very new house (built in 2005). I was very involved in the construction, and when we were planning we exceeded code (which is pretty strong for coastal areas of NC to start with). It is wood, but has the steel rods that run from the top plate into the foundation, hurricane straps and even heavier plywood all over then is required. I think that it was built to withstand (with minimal damage) a Cat 3. After it was done I built hurricane shutters (out of plywood, but they bolt into anchors into the framing of the house, are painted and really look pretty good).

We rode though a minimal Cat 1 last year (I think they said it hit the coast of NC as a minimal Cat 1), and I was not worried. I could see the trees swaying, lost several shingles off another building, saw a canoe fly about 50 yards through the air, saw my neighbors lawn furnature go across my front yard (from his back yard), and the house didn't even make a noise. But, if we are forcast to get a Cat 2 or above, my wife and I go to Raleigh (or further inland if we need to). We pack up our child, dog and cat, and drive up there for a day or two (we did this during Isabel since it was before our house built, but will do it again if needed). We have a box of pictures that we bring, and a little "safe box" with our insurance papers and other important things. And of course we also bring enough "stuff" (clothes, food, medicine) to last us for about a week. The house will probably be fine, but we have insurance for it and everything inside in case it is not.

If I was younger and single I would probably stay for a Cat 2 or even 3, but my family can not be replaced. If I were to stay here and get seriously injured (disabled) I would be no help to them for the years we have ahead. Of course I would be upset if the house was destroyed or looted, but at least we would be OK. Something happens and I will be out of town.

The area I live in is very new(7 years) and the houses can easily withstand Cat 5 winds as they are up to the recent code. During Frances and Jeanne our home was rock solid, except for a few roof tiles.

[vbhoutex]

I remember seeing what was left of the 'hurricane proof" homes in Mississippi after Camille hit. In many cases even the foundations were gone. In no case was even a wall left standing.

Exactly!! It was the most horrific scene I have ever seen and I don't want to ever see it again!!!! That is why I get so upset with people that say "I can ride out a CAT5, my house is Hurricane proof". WRONG!!!!!! It doesn't exist.