How to build a hurricane resistant house

Bob recaps the project in Punta Gorda, Florida, where a home built in the 1960s was completely destroyed by the winds and water of Hurricane Charley. Bob reviews the stem wall and slab construction that is designed to combat storm surge and intrusive water that gets under slabs and lifts structures. He also talks about the concrete walls that were reinforced with steel rebar and wire mesh before the concrete was poured. With window bucks in place to maintain window and door openings, the solid walls were poured all at once, a job that only took four hours to complete. Finally, Bob looks back at the storm that completely demolished Teresa Fogelini and Jim Minardi's home. He points to the work of FLASH, the Federal Alliance for Safe Housing, and the work they do to promote building technologies that will help homes withstand the wind and water of future storms.