Comments on: Getting ready for the Big One https://habitablezone.com/2013/05/16/getting-ready-for-the-big-one/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:18:10 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: podrock https://habitablezone.com/2013/05/16/getting-ready-for-the-big-one/#comment-24038 podrock Fri, 17 May 2013 00:07:26 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=32775#comment-24038 ...I should check the bug-out bags and replace the water jugs and dry food. Bought a terabyte backup drive and am backing up the Chez Pod computers. Should take a walk 'round the house with the video camera, too. …I should check the bug-out bags and replace the water jugs and dry food. Bought a terabyte backup drive and am backing up the Chez Pod computers. Should take a walk ’round the house with the video camera, too.

]]> By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2013/05/16/getting-ready-for-the-big-one/#comment-24036 ER Thu, 16 May 2013 21:49:30 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=32775#comment-24036 And there have been improvements in the codes since mine was built in 1969. But I doubt any house can be built that is absolutely hurricane proof, unless you go with steel reinforced poured concrete. Hurrican Andrew showed the weakest point of most houses is the windows and doors. If the wind gets inside, it lifts the roof right off. This is why storm proof windows or shutters are so important. Here is a picture of a house identical to mine, except it is a mirror image of it. My garage is on the right. Its a mass-produced modular house in which the individual rooms, plumbing, wiring and trusses were all identical, but were assembled mixed and matched to provide various floor plans from the same standardized components. Mine is called "The Westchester". <img src="http://photos1.zillow.com/p_d/IS-1jzkwquxz21y5.jpg" alt="." /> And there have been improvements in the codes since mine was built in 1969.

But I doubt any house can be built that is absolutely hurricane proof, unless you go with steel reinforced poured concrete.

Hurrican Andrew showed the weakest point of most houses is the windows and doors. If the wind gets inside, it lifts the roof right off. This is why storm proof windows or shutters are so important.

Here is a picture of a house identical to mine, except it is a mirror image of it. My garage is on the right. Its a mass-produced modular house in which the individual rooms, plumbing, wiring and trusses were all identical, but were assembled mixed and matched to provide various floor plans from the same standardized components. Mine is called “The Westchester”.

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]]> By: bowser https://habitablezone.com/2013/05/16/getting-ready-for-the-big-one/#comment-24034 bowser Thu, 16 May 2013 21:07:30 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=32775#comment-24034 A hurricane proof house. My friend in the Bahamas has his house right on a point out into the water. Hurricanes go right over him on an average of once a year, sometimes twice, sometimes a couple of years without one. Here are his tricks for his house surviving very, very well. He doesn't worry about it. Realize there are two types of threat, water and wind. He figures, as do most people, that you are not going to beat the water. He has built his house on poles sunk into the limestone. There is about 10 feet between the water and the ground, although he has a floor down there. No problems. Regarding wind, he has simple, sturdy, heavy plywood siding and before he leaves he bolts heavy plywood covers over the windows. The roof is sheeted, and then has 5/8 plywood with a 12" lap, and then covered with coats of epoxy paint. There are no vents coming through the roof. The first house he built, a concrete foundation with concrete blocks on top of that, was destroyed. The foundation is still there, but the blocks are gone. The water got it. As a matter of fact, pieces of concrete blocks are a main component of beach litter around there. It was out on a place called "Cabbage Point" and is one of the most beautiful settings on Earth. Imagine a tropical cove, sandy beach, rocky outcroppings extending 1000 yards out into the sea on either side of a 500 foot sandy beach. Anyway, that's his experience. A hurricane proof house.
My friend in the Bahamas has his house right on a point out into the water. Hurricanes go right over him on an average of once a year, sometimes twice, sometimes a couple of years without one. Here are his tricks for his house surviving very, very well. He doesn’t worry about it.

Realize there are two types of threat, water and wind. He figures, as do most people, that you are not going to beat the water. He has built his house on poles sunk into the limestone. There is about 10 feet between the water and the ground, although he has a floor down there. No problems.

Regarding wind, he has simple, sturdy, heavy plywood siding and before he leaves he bolts heavy plywood covers over the windows.

The roof is sheeted, and then has 5/8 plywood with a 12″ lap, and then covered with coats of epoxy paint. There are no vents coming through the roof.

The first house he built, a concrete foundation with concrete blocks on top of that, was destroyed. The foundation is still there, but the blocks are gone. The water got it. As a matter of fact, pieces of concrete blocks are a main component of beach litter around there. It was out on a place called “Cabbage Point” and is one of the most beautiful settings on Earth. Imagine a tropical cove, sandy beach, rocky outcroppings extending 1000 yards out into the sea on either side of a 500 foot sandy beach.

Anyway, that’s his experience.

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