Economic and Policy Issues for Wind-Resistant Construction

This chapter summarizes recent research first on the policy prescription of building codes designed with wind engineering principles, then on research concerning how markets for wind-enhanced construction offers other channels for increased resilience. Florida’s statewide building code was enacted after Hurricane Andrew; it was the first statewide building code designed for wind. But non-synoptic systems, such as tornadoes, also cause high levels of damage, so the city of Moore, Oklahoma, adopted a code to address that threat. The first purpose of this chapter is to conduct an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of these codes. An examination of other states that may also justify stronger codes follows. Finally, the chapter reviews research on how real estate markets value voluntary mitigation. Using markets for above-code construction provides opportunities to increase resilience in states where stronger building codes are not adopted.

Hurricane Preparedness and Response Along Florida's Central-East Coast: Indian River Mosquito Control District's Experiences Over the Years

ABSTRACT The hurricane is no stranger to longtime residents of Florida's east coast. In 1979, after about 15 years of local inactivity, Hurricane David made landfall in West Palm Beach. Thirteen years later and 100 miles south, category 5 Hurricane Andrew caused catastrophic damage when it hit the city of Homestead in the Miami-Dade area. In 2004, the counties along the east coast of central Florida were hit by 2 devastating hurricanes, Frances and Jeanne, that made landfall at Sewall's Point just 20 days apart. The very next year, Hurricane Wilma made landfall near Everglades City as a Category 3 storm. After a decade of relief, a glancing blow from Hurricane Matthew struck in 2016, only to be followed by the extremely devastating Hurricane Irma just 1 year later. Each of these hurricanes caused significant property damage and mosquito problems for the Florida residents affected by these storms. In 1997, the Indian River Mosquito Control District (IRMCD) developed a hurricane preparedness plan outlining the appropriate action to be taken depending on the severity of the approaching storm. The IRMCD has also learned to negotiate the intricacies of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's reimbursement program, thus reducing the financial impact to the District. This paper provides an overview of how IRMCD has prepared, reacted, and followed-up with the seemingly constant parade of hurricanes that have threatened and affected the east coast over time.

Introduction

This introductory chapter first sets out the book's focus, namely the changes in Miami during the last quarter of a century—a period that led to the present social, economic, and political character of the city. The confluence of diverse populations in this single geographic spot continues to produce change without a blueprint, leading to surprising outcomes. Tracing them is the object of the investigation in this volume. The remainder of the chapter outlines a set of conceptual guidelines framing the analysis. Topics covered include cities as the center of the evolution of humankind; the transformation of Miami that began in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992; the absence of a consolidated power structure and the still-evolving character of local culture; and the key roles of Miami with respect to Latin America.

Windstorm Price Effects on Construction Materials

Windstorms can leave massive damage as they march across a helpless region. As population increases in areas prone to windstorms, damage only escalates. Most economic impacts are local but some storms are large enough to create ripple effects felt thousands of miles away. This paper examines one such storm, Hurricane Andrew, and the effect it had on a common construction material, plywood. It finds that the national price of plywood increased sharply after Andrew with no explanation other than the hurricane itself.