Newer homes seemed to fare much better than older structures during Hurricane Ian, suggesting that updated Florida building codes made a difference.
In the hardest-hit parts of southwest Florida, many newer structures remained mostly intact in the up to 120 mph winds generated by the hurricane. One photograph on one beach area shows 18 homes built before 1981 that were completely destroyed, but one house, built in 2020, appears to be almost unscathed.
That home is elevated above much of the storm surge level, but the roof also appears undamaged. CoreLogic says that wind losses in Lee County, one of the coastal areas with the most damage, were twice as high for structures built before 1996, when the state began tightening building codes for wind load.
CoreLogic’s computer models peg insured losses from Hurricane Ian from $22 billion to $32 billion, excluding flood damage. It’s much lower than losses coastal Florida would have seen if newer structures had not been built to the stronger standards, according to CoreLogic and other experts.
Related Stories
Sponsored | | Jun 18, 2015
How to earn respect as a leader
Employees will give you minimum effort if the only reason they respect you is for your authority
Building Materials | Jun 12, 2015
Construction materials prices up in May, down year-over-year
Prices for inputs to construction industries rose by 1.1% in May—the largest month-over-month increase in more than two years.
Office Buildings | Jun 12, 2015
Houston's energy sector keeps office construction humming
Colliers International projects continued expansion this year in its quarterly report on national office market.
Office Buildings | Jun 11, 2015
Pop-up tree-office opens in London borough of Hackney
London's Hackney borough welcomed a new kind of workspace to Hoxton Square—the TreexOffice.
Office Buildings | Jun 9, 2015
Hines planning $300 million office tower for Denver skyline
Designed by Pickard Chilton, the 640,000-sf tower is geared for large-scale tenants, with features like floor-to-ceiling glass, a 5,000-sf fitness center, a tenant lounge, and a series of outdoor terraces.
Sponsored | Building Team | Jun 9, 2015
Is your firm social enough?
The overwhelming majority of A/E/C firms are engaged in social media. But to what end?
Contractors | Jun 8, 2015
ABC: 49 states report decline in construction unemployment rate
Five Plain States reported the lowest unemployment rates for construction workers in April.
Sponsored | Metals | Jun 4, 2015
How big of a building do I need?
Here is some advice on how metal buildings can be a solution for space shortages
Sponsored | Building Team | Jun 3, 2015
Succession planning starts with developing your leaders
Two-thirds of U.S. companies still admit that they have no formal succession plan in place, a 2014 survey conducted by the National Association of Corporate Directors found.
Building Team | Jun 3, 2015
Irvin E. Richter of Hill International receives Lifetime Achievement Award from CMAA's Mid-Atlantic Chapter
The award was given in recognition of his dedication, innovation and leadership in the area of project management and construction claims services
