Developers

Hurricanes and tropical storms are cyclones with tropical origins (tropicalcyclones). Tropical storm winds are 39 to 73 miles per hour; hurricanes havewind speeds of 74 miles per hour or more. Hurricane winds blow in a largespiral around a relatively calm center known as the "eye." The "eye" is generally20 to 30 miles wide, and the storm may have a diameter of 400 miles across. Asa hurricane approaches, the skies will begin to darken and winds will grow instrength. A hurricane can bring torrential rains, high winds, and storm surge asit nears land. A single hurricane can last more than two weeks over open watersbefore impacting land.Storm Surge: Battering waves from storm surge may increase damage tobuildings located directly along the coast. The weight of the water and thepounding by frequent waves can demolish any structure not specificallydesigned to withstand such forces. It is therefore important to maintain therecommended setbacks from the high water mark as determined by the Townand Country Planning Department.3.2.1. Hurricane Resistant DesignHouse Design is also very important in making it disaster resistant. Thebest shape to resist high winds is a square because:It allows high winds to go around themIt is better braced against earthquakesIf other shapes are desired, efforts should be made to strengthen thecornersSquare (Best) Rectangle Long Rectangle L -ShapeDifferent House DesignsNOTE: If longer shapes are used, they must be designed to withstand the forces ofthe wind. Most houses are rectangular and the best layout is when the length isnot more than three (3) times the width.12