Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage across the Caribbean and United States in 2017, affecting over 10 million people. It destroyed 90% of structures on Barbuda, 50% of homes were destroyed there. In Saint Kitts and Nevis 10% of homes were damaged along with infrastructure. In Cuba, over 230,000 people were evacuated to shelters after 63,678 houses and 1,700 schools were impacted, with 10,446 homes completely destroyed. Recovering from such natural disasters costs governments and organizations like the Red Cross huge expenses. To prevent future damage, homes should be built to withstand hurricanes using modern construction materials like structural steel which is stronger than wood and absorbs impacts better.

1. HURRICANE DAMAGE TO HOMES
Hurricanes are not a rare occurrence in Caribbean countries. It is, in fact, the major natural
disaster for this region. Only the recent Hurricane, Irma devastated 10 countries in the Caribbean
and later the coastal states in the USA, leaving around 10 countries of this region with various
levels of damages, which include but is not limited to ruined homes, collapsed structures, flooded
areas, destroyed electrical and water infrastructures, etc. Millions of people ended up in
temporary shelters and are considering to leave their hometowns for “safer” areas. It is estimated
that the number of people affected from this hurricane from various countries will ultimately
reach over ten millions.
Hurricane Irma have destroyed around 90% of the structures on the island of
Barbuda leaving 50% of population without homes.
The same hurricane then damaged 10% of homes in Saint Kitts and Nevis as well as
most of the infrastructures, buildings and homes in Bahamas.
In Cuba 2 million people were evacuated before hurricane by local authorities and
ultimately 230 thousand people ended up in the temporal shelters due to the
affected 63,678 houses and 1,700 school buildings from the hurricane.
Out of the mentioned houses 10,446 homes were completely damaged.
Around 1,000 houses were destroyed in Dominican Republic and 1,000 houses in
Haiti was flooded.
Overcoming the impact of the hurricanes, like in case of any
other natural disasters, means huge expenses for the
government and the supporting donor organizations such as
Red Cross. The people affected from the hurricane also bears
enormous financial and emotional stress. Hence, prevention
measures, being less costly in any similar cases, should be
more carefully considered not only by the government but
also by each inhabitant of the Caribbean countries.
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2. How to hurricane proof houses to prevent
damage? First of all, it should be built with the
latest construction materials and techniques
which ensures resistance to various natural
disasters to include earthquake and winds. For
example, recently, it became known that the
structural steel as compared to traditional wood
used in residential buildings is very effective for
withstanding the natural disasters. Steel frames
are stronger and thus, structures that use steel
for construction, are especially designed to cope
effectively with the loads from the most rigid
hurricane and earthquake.
Steel is very ductile and flexible, so when exposed
to extreme loads, it flexes rather than crushes.
The structural steel is most effective when
combined with concrete. Thus the construction
techniques that uses steel frames in contraction
of buildings and infrastructure, can enhance
disaster risk resilience in the Caribbean countries.
One of the most advance construction
companies that uses structural steel
combined with concrete, in building houses
for its clients, is DRM. The houses offered by
this company are engineered to withstand the
most severe hurricane-force. Cast into the
structural steel frame, DRM Metal Roof
structures are strong and most resistant to
impacts from flying debris. A strong roof and
strong walls and the foundation remain
attached to each other and function as a
single unit, creating an envelope that keeps
the wind out of the house. To withstand the
flood, which is a common secondary disaster
that occurs during hurricane and earthquake,
a waterproof membrane is bonded to the
surface of the roof and wall to prevent water
penetration. Additionally, for addressing
issues that may occur from flood, DRM
structures are a bit elevated and are built
from materials that are light and easy to dry.
Extra layer of protection is created by the wall
panels used by DRM, which are not only
designed to regulate the temperature or cut
external sounds, but also helps absorb most
of the impact if high speed projectiles,
reducing the potential damage to the interior
of the house. DRM uses metal doors in
constructing houses, which are designed to
protect the house against hurricane-force
winds and flying debris. Even though the
windows in the DRM constructed buildings
look like standard windows, they are actually
able to cut the sound by more than 60% due
to being made up of two panes of tempered
glass, separated. These windows have
another advantage, that are excellent thermal
protection and are able to shut out the sun's
heat, as well as to cut out the sound just like
the doors: by over 60%.