In a bid to protect their home from potential hurricanes, Jan Pappas and Ronald Yasuda of Hawaii hired a contractor to reinforce their 1960s-era house with hurricane clips, metal plates, and nails. The couple’s move comes as they fear the increasing impact of global warming on natural disasters worldwide.
Vulnerable Homes, Rising Concerns
With two-thirds of single-family homes on Oahu lacking hurricane protection, many residents are concerned about the looming hurricane season. The combination of El Nino weather patterns and climate-induced ocean warming has raised the likelihood of stronger and more frequent tropical storms in the region.
Hawaii vs. Guam: Building Resilience
In contrast to Hawaii’s vulnerable homes, Guam’s homes have become more resilient against typhoons. The U.S. territory, located west of Hawaii, has faced powerful tropical cyclones due to its higher sea surface temperatures. Rebuilding with sturdy concrete structures capable of withstanding Category 4 and 5 typhoons has helped Guam better cope with these ferocious storms.
Concrete Homes: A Double-Edged Solution
While concrete homes have proven effective in withstanding hurricanes, they come with their drawbacks. Guam’s concrete homes trap heat, making it necessary for residents to invest in air conditioning. As global warming intensifies, the need for cooling systems may increase, posing an additional expense for homeowners.
Hurricane-Resistant Homes in Hawaii
To counter the vulnerability of homes in Hawaii, new constructions are incorporating hurricane-resistant features. For example, Daryl Takamiya’s company is installing hurricane-resistant windows and garage doors in suburban Honolulu developments. However, these protective features come at a high cost, further adding to the already expensive housing market in the state.
A Changing Climate and Hurricane Risk
As oceans warm due to climate change, tropical cyclones are shifting their paths. Hurricanes that once bypassed Hawaii may now pose a direct threat to the island chain. The concern for residents is that these storms might maintain their strength, leading to potential devastation.
H2 – Single-Wall Homes: A Historic Vulnerability
Many of Hawaii’s single-family homes are constructed with single-wall designs, a style phased out in the 1970s. These homes lack proper insulation and foundation anchoring, making them susceptible to powerful winds during hurricanes. Events like Hurricane Iwa in 1982 and Hurricane Iniki in 1992 highlighted the vulnerability of these structures.
H2 – Retrofitting for Safety
After the devastation caused by Hurricane Iniki, new building codes required homes to have improved structural features, such as securing roofs to walls and connecting foundations to the first floor. However, older homes built before these code changes are not mandated to have such features. This leaves a significant number of homes in Hawaii without hurricane protections.
Seeking Solutions
The state of Hawaii is exploring nonprofit and volunteer programs to fortify vulnerable homes. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrator, James Barros, emphasizes the importance of individual homeowners assessing their homes’ vulnerability to high winds and seeking appropriate measures.
Uncertain Future
As Hawaii faces the possibility of more frequent and stronger hurricanes, residents like Yasuda are growing increasingly concerned. Despite past close calls, the threat remains, and there is a growing realization that action needs to be taken to safeguard homes and communities in the face of a changing climate and its impact on natural disasters.
In conclusion, Hawaii’s vulnerability to hurricanes is raising alarms among residents as global warming fuels extreme weather events. The lack of hurricane protections for many homes is a significant concern, but there are efforts to strengthen new constructions against potential storms. As the climate continues to evolve, residents and policymakers must prioritize resilience and preparedness to safeguard against the increasing threat of hurricanes.
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