Hurricanes have wreaked havoc throughout history, inflicting a tremendous human toll.
The video you just watched is Hurricane Michael slamming the Florida Panhandle on Oct. 10, 2018.
This superstorm made landfall as a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with estimated sustained winds of 160 mph. In addition to catastrophic winds, it brought a massive and devastating storm surge. A wide portion of the Florida Panhandle was devastated, damage soared into the billions, and the rebuilding process continues four years later.
Michael surprised meteorologists by rapidly intensifying just before landfall — a dangerous phenomenon that is hard to predict. Today, it ranks as the fourth most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland, and one of the costliest.
Over 300 hurricanes have made landfall on the mainland U.S. coastline—from Texas to Florida to Maine—since 1851.
The deadliest natural disaster in American history: the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900.
A large Category 4 storm devastated this major Texas port city, killing an estimated 8,000 — but possibly as many as 12,000 people.
Destructive Forces
A hurricane does damage four main ways.
High Winds
Which damage houses, buildings, signs, and vehicles
Storm Surge
Coastal flooding caused by the ocean surging onto land
Heavy Rainfall
Which also causes flooding
Tornadoes
Usually happening in the outer parts of the hurricane
One of the most misunderstood natural phenomena, hurricanes come in all shapes, sizes, and strengths.
Lessons Learned
The silver lining: we’ve learned from these tragedies.
Take every hurricane seriously
Even lower-category storms can produce huge and destructive storm surges.
Know your elevation
When protecting yourself from storm surge, what matters is your elevation, not your distance from the coast.
Construction quality matters
We can design buildings and homes to withstand even the strongest hurricanes.
Keep the wind out
Interior wind damage can be prevented if windows and doors are properly protected, and the roof is securely attached.
Stay Informed
Hurricane Resources
Next 20 Years: Climate Change & Hurricanes
Climate change is having a measurable impact on global weather patterns. Its effect on hurricanes, however, is less clear.
Evacuation Planning
Evacuating before a hurricane is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family.
Staying Safe: Before, During, After
Experiencing a hurricane can be frightening. But if you properly prepare, you’ll be safe — regardless of the storm’s severity.
What does 50 years of hurricane preparedness look like?
Deltec Homes builds hurricane-resistant houses. Engineered for strength and durability, they withstand winds up to 185 mph. These homes have been built around the world and have survived some of the most powerful storms on record.
Deltec offers round, traditional, and modern panelized building systems. Their commitment to excellence drives them to build homes that outperform all others in terms of quality, sustainability, and durability.
