One amazing house defied Hurricane Michael's fury

[malaise]

http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/5088/article/p2p-108425006/
In the war zone that Mexico Beach now resembles, one beachfront structure stands out as a monument to hurricane preparedness.

It’s called the Sand Castle, located at the end of 36th street. Not that you need an address to find it.

Hurricane Michael moved in last week, and there went the neighborhood.

Every house and business was severely damaged or blown away. But the three-story Sand Castle escaped almost unscathed by the 155 mph winds.

“We wanted to build it for the big one,” Dr. Lebron Lackey told the New York Times. “We just never knew we’d find the big one so fast.”

[Vinca]

1. That's amazing. I thought the picture might be of a more nontraditional house I've seen photos

of in the past. That one is closer to a cement earthship - I can't remember where along the coast it's built. In any case, this survivor is a very attractive, normal-looking dwelling. Whatever they did should be the standard for the entire rebuilding.

[malaise]

2. Back in the day people built coastal homes on stilts

so that there was space for water to run. I'm not sure any homes can survive these monster storms but that sure makes more sense.

[Cattledog]

3. Beach living will soon be for the rich only.

[malaise]

10. Sad indeed

Although as sea levels rise and terms strengthen, it's bad news for all.

[jmowreader]

4. It's hard to imagine why it's still there

According to the article, the house is made out of reinforced concrete, steel cable and rebar. It's also elevated so the storm surge will wash right under it.

The only survivors of a nuclear holocaust would be cockroaches, Keith Richards, and this house.

[2naSalit]

5. Can't see it

I'm not removing my ad blocker just for that and I don't need to subscribe to a FL paper.

[malaise]

6. It's in the NYT as well n/t

[2naSalit]

7. Thanks.

[marybourg]

8. It took two very well to do men ( one a radiologist)

to afford to build to these specs.

[malaise]

9. Yep - look for gentrification

The poor have no hance

[maxsolomon]

11. If you want to live in the path and be eligible for insurance, this is what it should take.

It's not "amazing", it's Design and Engineering.