Florida Panhandle building codes lagged behind rest of state
It's part of the reason that tighter building codes — mandatory in places such as
And it may be a painful lesson for area residents now that Hurricane Michael has ravaged the region, leaving sustained damage from the coast inland all the way to the
"We're learning painfully that we shouldn't be doing those kinds of exemptions," said
Hurricane Andrew a generation ago razed
The acres of flattened homes showed how contractors cut corners amid the patchwork of codes
Since 2001, structures statewide must be built to withstand winds of 111 mph (178 kph) and up; the
Though Michael was packing winds as high as 155 mph, any boost in the level of safety requirements for builders helps a home avoid disintegrating in a hurricane.
"The structural integrity of our housing stock is leaps and bounds beyond what it was," said Lee.
The codes call for shatterproof windows, fortified roofs and reinforced concrete pillars, among other specifications. But it wasn't until 2007 that homes built in the
Gov.
"After every event, you always go back and look what you can do better," Scott said. "After Andrew, the codes changed dramatically in our state. Every time something like this happens, you have to say to yourself, 'Is there something we can do better?'"
"Quiet, idyllic, what I call 'Old Florida,'" Fugate said. "This is not a bunch of high rises or brand new developments."
"It wiped out both the older and newer homes. It looks like my entire street is razed," said Herrle, who was not in
Prevatt noted the damage could have occurred at wind speeds lower than the 155 mph (250 kph) that the
Prevatt was preparing to lead a team to assess the damage. He said engineers will be asking how old the destroyed and damaged buildings were and under what version of the
The Latest: Nelson: Tyndall Air Force Base to be rebuilt
The Latest: Wastewater overflow in North Carolina city
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News