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
| Oct 16, 2014
Fannie Mae releases white paper on energy performance of multifamily buildings
The least energy efficient multifamily property may be spending $165,000 more in annual energy costs than a similar property operating the most efficiently, according to a new white paper released by Fannie Mae.
| Oct 16, 2014
Energy Department sets green building standards for federal agencies
LEED Silver may be used, and in some instances, the Green Globes program may be substituted, according to a new regulation by the U.S. Department of Energy.
| Oct 16, 2014
New York City’s climate plan includes tripling of solar energy
New York City’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 includes tripling the amount of solar power generated from city-owned buildings.
| Oct 15, 2014
Drones may soon assist code inspectors for construction in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Labour announced that they will start using drones to help inspectors record when construction sites are breaking laws.
| Oct 9, 2014
California authorizes increased use of design-build on state projects
Under the updated law, the Department of General Services and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may use design-build on projects in excess of $1 million.
| Oct 9, 2014
New York City releases guide for retrofitting buildings against floods
Part of the city’s response to widespread flooding as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the manual offers retrofitting strategies that will enable property owners to reduce the risk of damage and disruption from coastal flooding.
| Oct 9, 2014
Seattle puts restrictions on micro apartments
The Seattle City Council passed new rules that new studio apartments in the city must measure at least 220 sf and contain at least two sinks.
| Oct 9, 2014
Cities get creative with stormwater management
Cities around the world are crafting stormwater management policies that include natural and manmade methods to store and absorb runoff to reduce flooding.
| Oct 2, 2014
Fannie Mae study says affordable rental units more energy efficient than market-rate units
Fannie Mae’s new report on energy usage in the multifamily sector found that affordable properties use 28% less energy per unit and are 29% smaller than market-rate properties.
| Oct 2, 2014
California Energy Commission launches code upgrade process
The California Energy Commission launched the upgrade process to Title 24, the state energy code, last month.