In the coastal village of Cortez, Florida, a pioneering development is setting a new standard for disaster-resistant housing. Known as Hunters Point, this sustainable residential community has emerged as a potential model for how to construct homes that can survive the increasingly destructive hurricanes battering the southeastern U.S.

Since welcoming its first residents in 2022, Hunters Point has already faced four major storms — Hurricanes Ian, Idalia, Helene, and Milton. Remarkably, the community sustained virtually no damage during any of these events. The secret lies in its engineering.

Each structure in the development is raised 16 feet above the floodplain, minimizing the risk from storm surges. The homes also feature a continuous load path design: steel roofs are connected to each floor using steel straps, reinforcing the buildings’ integrity against high winds. This advanced approach was put to the test during Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which delivered severe wind and rain across the region. While millions of Floridians dealt with power outages and home damage, the solar-powered, storm-hardened homes at Hunters Point remained fully operational.

“Its design and construction principles offer valuable insights for future developments in hurricane-prone regions, demonstrating that it is possible to build communities capable of withstanding extreme weather events,” officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) wrote in a case study on the community.

FEMA praised the development’s use of solar panels — capable of powering each home for up to 10 days without the grid — and hurricane-grade windows made from laminated glass treated with layers of polyvinyl butyral or ethylene-vinyl acetate. These specially designed windows can withstand winds of up to 200 miles per hour.

“The foresight shown by Hunters Point proves that there are affordable and highly cost-effective strategies that communities, local governments, landowners, developers and tenants can put into practice to reduce the impact of natural hazards,” FEMA officials added.

While FEMA emphasizes that resilient construction methods can be affordable, critics point out that living in Hunters Point remains far from financially accessible. Homes start at approximately $1.2 million, and premium materials like hurricane-resistant windows add significantly to construction costs — often around $6,000 per house, and even more for commercial buildings.

Still, supporters say the upfront cost is a worthwhile investment in the face of worsening storms and rising rebuilding expenses. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded 28 separate billion-dollar weather disasters in 2023 alone, totaling nearly $93 billion in damages. That year featured 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes — five of which reached major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher). It was the first season since 2019 with multiple Category 5 hurricanes.

“Constructing buildings with hurricanes as the focal point should be a model for new development in hurricane-prone areas,” said Marshall Gobuty, founder and president of the company behind Hunters Point.

As hurricane season looms — officially beginning June 1 and continuing through November — more developers and municipalities are paying attention to Hunters Point’s success. The community has become a case study not just in weather resilience, but also in how thoughtful planning and engineering can redefine what it means to live safely in a high-risk climate zone.

• Materials Used: Impact-resistant glass, steel structural supports, solar energy systems.
• Flood Protection: Elevated platforms exceed FEMA flood zone minimums.
• Sustainability: Net-zero energy ready, battery backup systems for extended outages.
• Scalability Debate: FEMA and developers cite affordability at scale, but critics note luxury price tags.

As Florida and other coastal states prepare for what could be another historic hurricane season, Hunters Point provides a glimpse of how innovation can offer real protection — for those who can afford it.

Originally reported by US Glass MAG.