Protecting Florida

Musings from a Florida Man in the midst of hurricane szn

Being from Miami, I’ve lived through a few hurricanes. I remember all the times I had to help my dad put up plywood over our windows. I can still hear the boards shaking in the wind while the storms passed. During Hurricane Wilma, our home lost power for several days, and we would camp around the barbecue each night, cooking with gas and playing Uno. Eventually, we installed hurricane-proof windows, and the plywood was no longer needed.

The city has been very lucky, as it hasn’t been directly hit by a major hurricane since Wilma in 2005. It got really close in 2017 when Hurricane Irma was barreling toward the city, but an expected shift in its path diverted the strongest parts of the storm away from Miami. The city has grown a lot since then—I previously wrote about the latest projects—and I worry about how the snowbirds will react once they’re eventually faced with another direct hit, especially after watching Tampa get hit with back-to-back storms this year alone with Helene and Milton.

North vs. South

However, since Miami is a relatively younger city than the rest of the state, the buildings are more future-proof. After the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, South Florida revamped its building code to be one of the strongest in the country. Miami-Dade and Broward counties are part of a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, where local code requires that a building’s entire envelope (including windows, doors, and eaves) incorporates wind-resistant design. The rest of the state, though, not so much, since requirements vary based on expectations of where peak winds will be the strongest. Although Miami has been the primary spot for southern Wall Street, the entire state of Florida has been becoming more popular in recent years, with Tampa also caught in the midst of a development boom.

The pattern of stronger hurricanes being formed in the Gulf of Mexico stems from ocean heat:

Waters in the Gulf of Mexico started to break all-time temperature highs this summer, but recent weeks have seen an extra jolt of warmth—what scientists describe as a “marine heat wave” that provided additional fuel to the storms. After a lull earlier this summer, atmospheric conditions have also been more favorable for hurricane development recently. — What is making Hurricane Milton so ferocious, WSJ

While Miami has the Bahamas acting as a sort of first layer of defense against major storms from the Caribbean, Florida’s west coast is part of the Gulf, making the entire shoreline an open target.

Tampa, like Miami before Hurricane Andrew, is finding itself in a difficult position. The area has experienced explosive growth in recent years, attracting both younger residents and retirees drawn by the promise of coastal living. However, rapid development often means that safety can take a back seat to economic opportunity. A significant portion of Tampa's new developments is located in low-lying areas, which are extremely vulnerable to storm surge—a problem highlighted by Hurricane Milton's recent landfall. Stephen Strader, a hazard geographer, pointed out that Tampa's vulnerabilities stem from both an increase in population and a lack of stringent building codes that would make the infrastructure more resilient to storms of this magnitude. While Miami learned the hard way after Andrew, Tampa is now learning these lessons as its urban sprawl is increasingly put to the test.

What can Tampa learn from Miami? For one, stricter building codes can make a world of difference. Miami’s post-Andrew code updates have been credited with saving countless homes and lives, making the area more resilient in the face of natural disasters. Tampa should consider not only enforcing tougher construction standards for new buildings but also investing in retrofitting older structures to withstand stronger storms. It’s not just about withstanding wind but also about mitigating flooding, something that older parts of Tampa are not currently equipped for.

Insurance & Business

Then there’s the issue of insurance. Florida’s insurance market has been in a precarious position for years, but the frequent and severe hurricanes are pushing it to the brink. With insurance companies facing massive losses, many have chosen to pull out of high-risk areas altogether, leaving homeowners with limited options and skyrocketing premiums. Tampa’s recent spate of storms is likely to exacerbate this issue, and without proper government intervention, the affordability and availability of insurance may become a crisis for the region. Miami faced a similar situation after Andrew, which led to a reimagining of insurance coverage and state-backed programs like the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Tampa may need to explore similar solutions if it wants to ensure that residents can continue to afford living in a hurricane-prone area.

Another factor we can't ignore is business opportunities. One notable example is Tampa General Hospital, which has taken proactive steps by installing AquaFence, a modular flood protection system, to safeguard its facilities. AquaFence is a portable barrier system that can be deployed quickly in advance of a storm to prevent flooding, and it was recently used to protect the hospital during Hurricane Milton. The hospital's adoption of AquaFence highlights the importance of integrating innovative solutions into critical infrastructure, particularly in areas prone to natural disasters.

AquaFence’s FoodWall is another example of a flood protection system that could benefit Tampa's vulnerable businesses and institutions. Made from marine-grade laminate, stainless steel, aluminum, and reinforced PVC canvas, these modular barriers link together to surround buildings without any contact with the building itself. They are anchored to the ground and can be used without advanced site work in most urban environments, diverting water away from critical areas. This kind of technology can be crucial for not just large institutions like hospitals but also smaller businesses that are vulnerable to storm surge and flooding. By investing in these protective measures, Tampa businesses can mitigate potential damage, maintain operations during crises, and contribute to the city’s overall resilience.

Florida, while widely known for its shenanigans, continues to grow. Whether you agree with the politics or not, pro-business states are garnering more and more popularity. Just look at the similar boom in Texas since the pandemic. With all the money pouring into the development of the state, it would behoove the state legislature to avoid getting too caught up in the idea that less regulation is always better. There's no room to cut corners in construction and development when communities are at stake, and improving the building code not only protects people from these inevitable storms but also provides more opportunities for the businesses looking for growth. By investing in resilient infrastructure and adopting flood mitigation measures, companies can help set a precedent for broader community action. They can also provide the financial support necessary for community programs aimed at hurricane preparedness.

Ultimately, the resilience of Tampa and the rest of the state will depend not only on government initiatives and individual preparedness but also on how businesses choose to act in the face of growing climate threats. Companies that proactively address these challenges will not only protect their assets but also contribute to a safer, more prepared community.

Thank you

Never underestimate the motivation for shoreline development. As always, if you have any questions, want more explanations, or strongly disagree, comment below, follow me on Twitter (X), follow me on Instagram, or shoot me an email.

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Disclaimer: These views are my own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization with which I am affiliated with. This article is written with AI assistance.