Hurricane Damages to High Rise Buildings- Are You Safe?
Hurricanes can wreak havoc to properties- from residential, commercial, and even government structures, especially if the foundations are not strong enough or not capable of withstanding high winds and flooding. Although the easiest ones to be affected by hurricanes are properties with low elevation and small to medium-sized structures, high rise buildings can also be severely damaged.
Based on the information provided by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, here is an approximation of hurricane damages to high rise buildings. This data is based on previous hurricane experiences.
Category 1
This hurricane level does not really trigger significant damage to property and only very dangerous winds can bring about some damage. Poorly constructed buildings will most likely lose roofing and sidings. Moreover, it is likely that windows in high rise structures will be broken due to flying hard objects.
Category 2
At 96-110 mph, a category 2 hurricane can damage a substantial percentage of roofing and siding. But since high rise buildings have properly reinforced walls, it is not likely to trigger any structure collapse. The most that it can do is break building windows because of flying debris.
Category 3
At this level, it is possible to bring about devastating damage. A good example would be Hurricane Ivan, which occurred in 2004 and damaged a vast number of high rise condominiums along the coastal areas. The damage was due mostly to the water surge rather than the strong winds.
Category 4
This category level can trigger catastrophic damage. The most affected would be residential homes and road infrastructures however hurricane damages to high rise buildings are also significant. Expect building windows to be blown away; roofing and top floors will also be substantially affected; and basement and ground floors will be flooded.
Category 5
There have only been three category 5 hurricanes recorded in the United States in more than a century. The latest one was Hurricane Andrew, which caused grave damage to various areas in Florida. High rise offices, hotels, and residences were not spared and suffered irreparable damage.
Safety for High Rise Buildings During Hurricanes
Property owners and building tenants should have a reputable engineering firm inspect their building to check its safety and if it can withstand the strong winds and surges brought about by hurricanes. There should be guidelines on people’s safety and vehicle safety, along with emergency backup power. There should likewise be a pre-determined safety area for building occupants to go to in the event that a hurricane occurs.
Residents and tenants of high rise buildings can also devise safety measures. First, they should know the emergency exits. They should be aware of the building’s evacuation plan. Hurricane-prone areas should already be equipped building features necessary to reduce the hurricane damages to high rise buildings. And lastly, never use the elevator in the event that an intense tropical cyclone hits the building.
