Hurricane Ian struck the Southwest Florida coastline last fall with winds exceeding 150 mph, flooding cities, and devastating structures across the state.
A construction risk management expert writing for Multifamily Dive believes the projected economic damage, as high as $75 billion, will prompt the state to beef up building codes and reform land use rules. Changes may include higher elevations requirements, elevated living spaces, and mandates for concrete block framing.
Single-family and multifamily homes anchored on concrete piers may be designed with open garages to protect elevated living spaces. Building pad elevations are likely to rise.
Nearly 500,000 insurance claims have already been filed in the aftermath of Ian, with estimated losses of $4.5 billion, according to the Florida Office of Regulation. Thousands of residents are still waiting to rebuild destroyed homes.
Improved codes and regulations that yield more resilient structures will help ensure that the state will better withstand the impact of future mega-storms like Ian that are likely to strike the state again. Florida officials appear to be getting that message.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Aug 17, 2018
Sound advice on multifamily construction
Four leading experts tell how to ensure your next multifamily project achieves acoustic privacy.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 15, 2018
Memphis construction: Can this city become the next Austin?
One local design firm is trying to make it happen.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 8, 2018
Flyin' high: Humphreys & Partners Architects keeps soaring to new heights
HPA, which reported $78.2 million in multifamily design fees in 2017, ranks as the nation’s largest multifamily design firm.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 7, 2018
Even after redevelopment, the iconic 'Chicago Tribune' sign will remain at 435 N. Michigan Ave.
The newspaper and the building's new owners reached a settlement.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 2, 2018
The recipe for bicycle kitchens
Bike storage and workshop spaces are rapidly turning into full-service social amenity spaces in multifamily projects.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 2, 2018
Bicycle kitchens give cyclists their very own amenity space
Bike storage and workshop spaces are rapidly turning into full-service social amenity spaces in multifamily projects.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 31, 2018
Put air rights to better use
If your school district is building a new school, build housing in the air space above it and put lower-paid public employees at the front of the line to live there.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 25, 2018
Multifamily market trends 2018: Demographic shifts reshape the residential landscape
Changing generational preferences are prompting multifamily developers to re-strategize.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 19, 2018
Multifamily market stays hot in first half of 2018
The average rent grew by $12 in June, to an all-time high of $1,405, according to a survey of 127 markets by Yardi Matrix.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 18, 2018
First apartment building funded by Massachusetts’ workforce housing subsidy program opens
The transit-oriented Gateway North Residences is centrally located in Lynn, Mass.
