9 Hurricane- and Flood-Resilient Home Features to Look for

If you want to buy a house in an area that’s prone to hurricanes and floods, it’s a good idea to look for specific features that can protect your home and other assets in the event of a storm. Understanding these design features can help you minimize damage, increase the value of your home, and keep your belongings safe in the event of adverse weather.

Some features, such as an elevated foundation, will be obvious, while others, such as landscaping and building materials, will require additional research. For hard-to-spot features, it's a good idea to have an experienced real estate agent in your corner.

They can help you identify properties that will meet your needs and direct you to home buyer rebate programs, which can help you save money on your hurricane- and flood-resistant home.

Here are nine features your home should have if you’re moving to an area that may experience a hurricane or significant flooding event.

1. Wind-Resistant Roofing

Purchasing a house with a wind-resistant roof can help reduce the amount of damage from high winds your property may sustain in a major storm.

Some homes have roofs with fastening systems that connect the roof to your walls. This can prevent the roof from detaching in a major hurricane.

Your roofing material is also important. Look for homes with hurricane-rated shingles or any other roof tile made specifically for homes in areas prone to adverse weather.

If you already own a home, you may want to replace your roof with a wind-resistant one. Although roofing can be expensive, it might be worth it to upgrade your materials to protect your property.

2. Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors

During a major hurricane, extreme winds can break windows. However, there are impact-resistant windows that you can purchase that have multiple layers of glass, as well as reinforced frames. The idea is that these windows won’t shatter and create significant damage.

Another feature you can look for is storm shutters. These shutters are meant to add another layer of protection during a storm. You can ask the builder or seller for the make and model of the windows in the home to see whether they can withstand hurricane-force winds.

3. Elevated Foundation

Hurricanes can bring significant flooding, and flooding can make your home uninhabitable. One way to prevent flooding is to elevate your foundation. You can also look for homes that are already elevated.

Many homes in hurricane-prone areas, such as Florida and Louisiana, are built on stilts. Some experts recommend building or purchasing a house above the minimum required elevation to ensure it’s even more protected. You can ask your real estate agent to show you only homes that exceed elevation standards to ensure your best chance of avoiding flooding.

4. Reinforced Concrete Walls

Concrete walls are more durable than typical wood frames and are better able to withstand hurricane-force winds. Concrete is also more efficient at maintaining the temperature in the home. Some builders specialize in using concrete to create their structures. Find one with experience creating homes that have survived adverse weather in your area.

5. Water-Resistant Building Materials

In hurricane-prone areas, you may want to build or buy a home with water-resistant building materials, such as waterproof sealants, to prevent mold and mildew in your home. You should also look for mold-resistant drywall, which can help maintain your home over time.

Although there is no way to guarantee exactly what products builders use, especially inside the walls, try to work with a builder that promises to use only specific materials when building your home.

6. Proper Drainage

Neighborhoods built on low-lying lands can experience flooding during a hurricane — or even a bad thunderstorm. It might not be the first thing homeowners consider, but having a home with proper drainage is incredibly important.

Look for graded landscaping, updated gutters and downspouts, French drains, and neighborhood drains. There’s also a growing group of people who are building rain gardens — a particular type of landscaping designed to collect rainwater and prevent it from flooding houses.

7. Reinforced Garage Doors

Install a wind-rated garage door built to withstand high-force winds, which can help to protect your property. It’s also important to ensure your garage doors have excellent seals to keep water out during a storm.

8. Hurricane-Resistant Landscaping

It’s common for trees to fall during a hurricane. That’s why it’s important to consider tree placement when shopping for a home or building one. Trees with limbs too close to the house can cause significant damage if they break. You should also opt for wind-resistant plants with deep roots that are known for being stable, even during high winds.

9. Backup Power Supply

In parts of the country that experience frequent hurricanes, it’s a good idea to have a backup power supply. You can purchase your own generator or install a whole-house generator that turns on automatically in case of a power outage.

Other Tips

Here are some other tips that are helpful when building or purchasing a home in hurricane-prone areas.

Research insurance companies to determine the price of flood insurance and whether your property requires it. The cost of insurance can be high in some areas, so add it to your home-buying budget to ensure you buy a home within your means.
When purchasing a house, ask the homeowners if they had to make insurance claims. Homeowners should also disclose whether the home has flooding issues.
When building a home, choose a builder with experience building sustainable and wind-resistant homes.
Avoid living in cities known for frequent flooding, such as Tampa, Florida; San Diego; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Once you purchase a home, get smart-home technology, such as flood sensors and temperature sensors, to help you stay aware of potential damage.
Research hurricane-resistant communities. There are planned communities in progress, such as Babcock Ranch in Florida, that are built above sea level with wind-resistant materials.