video by @WDSU
Bay St. Louis, an area with a history of devastating hurricanes, is now the site of a hurricane-resistant home built by a professional storm chaser. Josh Waggaman, a well-known hurricane chaser, has devoted his career to tracking down hurricanes and typhoons around the globe, providing crucial information for scientific research. He has chosen to construct a hurricane-proof cottage in Bay St. Louis, which has experienced two of the most catastrophic hurricanes in American history.
Driven by his passion for storm chasing and his love for the picturesque town, Waggaman has decided to take the calculated risk of building his home in this susceptible area. To ensure the house's ability to withstand hurricane-force winds, Waggaman has enlisted the help of Beau Ladner from Paramount Control Acting as his builder. They are employing a tie-down system that links the foundation to the top plate of the house, with each cable capable of withstanding thousands of pounds of uplift during strong winds.
Besides the tie-down system, the house incorporates Titan bolts that anchor it to the slab, hurricane straps that connect the top plate to the walls, and hurricane rafter clips that fasten the roof to the walls. Mike Toribio of New Horizon Roofing is also installing a standing seam metal roof with screws designed to resist uplift. The 24-gauge metal roof is crafted to endure hurricane-force winds without detaching.
The cottage is strategically positioned at an elevation of 19 feet and elevated an additional four feet off the ground. However, Waggaman recognizes that there is little that can be done to safeguard the house from storm surges and the potential damage caused by hydraulic forces. Despite the risks, Waggaman welcomes the challenge of residing in this hurricane-prone region.
As hurricane season nears, residents are reminded of the importance of protecting their homes and loved ones. Waggaman's hurricane-resistant home serves as a testament to how inventive building techniques can be employed to enhance a structure's durability against extreme weather conditions.
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