Florida development withstands hurricanes using innovative construction techniques

When Hurricane Milton struck Florida's Gulf Coast, many residents evacuated the area. However, some in the Hunters Point development in Cortez chose to stay, confident in their homes' ability to withstand such storms. Marshall Gobuty, CEO of Pearl Homes and a resident of Cortez, had advised evacuation for safety reasons as the storm approached.

"The rain was coming horizontally. I’ve never seen rain come sideways; it was so strong," Gobuty recounted. "We had 18 inches in an hour and a half. It was unbelievable; you couldn’t see in front of you."

Despite his concerns, the development sustained minimal damage. "The only thing that got really damaged is our coconut trees," said Gobuty.

Hunters Point has endured four hurricanes with little impact and maintained power during Hurricane Milton due to its solar panels, which produce excess electricity. This makes it the first net-zero single-family community regarding energy efficiency in the United States.

Gobuty acknowledges that while no home can be entirely hurricane-proof, Hunters Point's construction methods are promising. "Eighty-six houses is not going to change the world," he stated. "But the more exposure we get, the more others will adopt this practice."

Building hurricane-resistant homes involves exceeding minimum safety standards. In FEMA flood zones like Cortez, Gobuty's team used seven feet of fill dirt instead of three and built living spaces 16 feet above sea level with tension-resistant steel straps for reinforcement.

Energy efficiency is also prioritized through solar panels connected to a Sonnen battery system, making these homes net positive in energy production.

Greg Batista from Greg Batista Engineering and Construction commented on this trend: "The concept of ‘hurricane-proof’ homes is getting a lot of attention... While no home can be truly hurricane-proof, modern building standards aim to make homes as storm-resistant as possible."

Gobuty addressed flooding by designing streets to absorb excess water during storms while keeping homes dry—a strategy that proved effective during Hurricane Milton.

With 55 lots remaining at Hunters Point and prices ranging from $1.4 million to $1.9 million per home, Gobuty emphasizes long-term security over cost: “We can show them that... it’s better to pay now and have peace of mind than pay later.”