Would SoWal Be Prepared for a 4-5 Hurricane?

[Paula]

I have a tendency for worrying and planning in advance so that's what's motivating this email. Out of curiosity, how do you think SoWal would fare after a major hurricane like Katrina? For example:

1. What parts would be likely to be most and least harmed by wind/rain (For example, it makes sense that people who aren't on the beach, who are on dunes will fare better than people who are on the beach and on flat land -- Kurt gave some idea of which areas are most at risk.)? What, if anything, would be predicted to be left standing or not completely damaged?

2. Aside from building at or above hurricane code, boarding up windows, and bringing everything inside, is there anything else one can do to protect one's home? What is the best protection for windows and doors? Does this plywood we use work well? Do shutters work as well and what makes for a good versus a poor hurricane shutter? (I heard one of the worst problems is that water seeps in under french doors and damages floors and causes mold very quickly.) I have a friend who's mother's house was across the street from the beach and up on a dune and survived Katrina (whereas all those on the beach were gone). So, some places did survive Katrina.

3. What would the recovery process look like? Is there a way to find out what the local plan is for disaster relief (e.g., it seems like the disaster recovery plan from Louisiana and Mississippi left much to be desired)?

4. Is there anything we can do as owners to encourage SoWal to have a comprehensive and practiced plan in advance (if there isn't one already -- for example, how would the roll-out of services go)?

5. What is the best way for us all to help each other out during an emergency, even from a distance? What information would we need and how would we get it (assuming this board would be out if power isn't available).

Ideally, we won't have to worry about this, but reality is that a 4 or 5 hurricane could happen to us. How do we set ourselves up to be role models of compassion/efficiency/safety before, during, after a hurricane?

This board certainly plays a role! And we'd want our board members all to leave the area and stay safe!

 

[Smiling JOe]

Paula, good question. One thing I know is that there will not be people in SoWal shooting at the rescuers and Police.

I will put my dogs in life jackets, load them in my canoe, and we would begin rescue efforts. It will take a while with only two seats, but we would do what we could, starting with neighbors.

From what I understand, if we get hit with 165mph winds, you can forget about 3/4" plywood covering your windows, because you likely won't have and house behind the plywood.

I am curious to know how money (relief efforts) would flow in to a place where the median home price for new homes is $800,000+, and most are vacation homes.

 

[OhioBeachBum]

I am curious to know how money (relief efforts) would flow in to a place where the median home price for new homes is $800,000+, and most are vacation homes.

Good point. That, and big difference in population density. Don't forget, though, that there's probably quite a few folks who clean and/or maintain those big beach places living across the bay (in trailers & tiny homes, etc.).

 

[Paula]

My understanding is that codes require that newer housing (post Opal) be built to withstand (as best as possible) 130 mph wind. Does this ring true to people?

So, if you wanted to protect windows and doors, what would you use if not plywood. (I know there's another thread).

We have much to learn from people whose homes are still standing in places hit by Katrina. Of course, much of it is luck, but we may be able to help luck along just a bit. I'd be real curious about how location, construction, etc. mattered. I friend whose mother's home survived intact within walking distance of a beach was up higher than the others, set back a bit, and they had removed the tall trees from around their property. The one tree that was still there fell, but it missed their house. Of course, there may be some damage to their home that's not immediately visible.

 

[Beach Runner]

According to what I've read, plywood and hurricane shutters would be worthless in a Cat 5 and probably a Cat 4 storm - the whole house would blow away or washed away, along with the plywood that's attached to it.

One lesson people should learn is do not ride out the storm - obey the evacuation orders.

 

[Smiling JOe]

My understanding is that codes require that newer housing (post Opal) be built to withstand (as best as possible) 130 mph wind. Does this ring true to people?

I think that is true, but remember, a Cat 4 starts when the wind speeds reach 131mph, so today's construction should handle a winds of a Cat 3. I seem to recall people saying that about the dike systems in NOLA.

We have much to learn from people whose homes are still standing in places hit by Katrina....

Absolutely. The insurance companies want to learn too.

 

[Kurt]

1. Florida building codes improved dramatically after Andrew. A lot of structures here would survive pretty high winds. It all depends on the storm surge. If you get surge and your house isn't elevated or concrete you are likely to lose it. A lot of the concrete commercial buildings would survive, but with plenty of damage.

2. You are right that water infiltration is one of the biggest problems and most people don't have insurance to cover that. Horizontal, wind-driven rain will penetrate most structures somewhere. There are waterproofing experts that can help you before, during, and after construction. They can be invaluable during installation of doors and windows. There are few builders that properly install install doors and windows.

3. I have not seen a plan - contact Emergency Operations Center 850-892-8065. We have limited personnel here and I fear communications would be nonexistent. Neighboring cities would get all the attention from outside.

4. We are still small time. While we have dedicated professionals here, most communities in this country are behind the curve from what I've seen elsewhere. The intent might be good, but a fast-growing community like ours is challenged in keeping up. For example - with all of the wood structures we have built close to each other in high-wind zones and plenty of fireworks, we should have one of the best-funded and most progressive fire departments for its size anywhere.

5. Hopefully we've learned some lessons recently from all the storms. Communications is key. If all the bridges are out to SoWal, forget it. We'd need lots of boats. As far as getting news out - people on the ground with powerful radios that could be used to communicate with people out of the area (North) who have power would be key. For example - If we had radios we could relay info to someone who could post info on the internet, that may be as good as it gets. A HAM radio might be the ticket.

This board's server is not local, so keeping it running shouldn't be a problem. the problem would be getting the info onto the board with no power or internet access. It's good news that we are getting diversified. You never know who might be able to provide good info. Keeping rumors and mistaken info off the board might be a problem though.

 

[southof30A]

The premise that I have always operated under is that in a Cat 3 shutters or plywood will help minimize the damage, assuming the roof stays on.

However, in a Cat 4 or 5, I have resigned myself to the fact that likely the whole place is gonna blow away.

 

[Paula]

Well, I don't know how ham radios work, but sounds like that's something to think about as a back-up for this board in case of a devastating hurricane in which people want information. How would such a ham-radio system work? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were able to help ourselves and others by having an effective back-up communications system in place (even an informal one). Most people on this board read this board in the days leading up to a hurricane, so word about back-up communications systems and resources would get out pretty quickly.

With careful planning through this board, we could be a fine example of grass-roots hurricane preparedness and response (especially since it looks like the government response agencies get overwhelmed pretty quickly and may head toward the larger, more dense areas).

We would need:

1. A back up communications system in place
2. Places for people who live in SoWal to stay if they can't get to their homes or live in their homes
3. Quick availability of essential supplies (water, food, etc.)
4. The support services that would really be provided quickly through local and government agencies, how to get them, and which are most likely to be counted on to respond quickly and effectively in SoWal (again, they may be focused on other areas).

What else? We want to get help to people quickly, find people places to stay, and increase good will and minimize panic.

The time to think of these things is long before a catastrophic event happens when we can think it through calmly and sytematically.

 

[katie blue]

Definitely not as big an issue as disaster preparedness, but worth mentioning:

A neighbor of mine has been housing a FEMA rep since Dennis, and she learned from him that while most of us have insurance for hurricanes, many of us inland and in the higher elevations (BMB, Seacrest, etc.) don't carry flood insurance. Hurricane insurance generally covers wind damage, however, claims after a hurricane are more often attributed to water damage (horizontal rain, seepage, etc.) Kurt touched on this briefly. Without flood insurance many of us would be out of pocket for the lion's share of the damages, assuming our home was not "totalled." I definitely didn't know this.