Good points. We have friends who live in the Historic side that always stay with us during hurricanes, because of worry about the ability of their home to withstand the high winds. We also lived through the tornado that struck the Villages in 2007 when 8 people were killed in the Lady Lake area, and about 1000 homes in the Villages were damaged. I remember the roof of Coconut Cove recreation center was completely blown off. Anyone who takes these storms lightly is a fool. The Villages did a superb job of cleanup - crews were on the streets the next day starting to pick up the storm debris.

Still can't fathom why the doors on houses in TV open inward--in south Fl, their doors must open outward

Building codes were changed after Andrew. Look at the reinforcements on garage doors we have now. That was not code when Andrew came through and that is just one example.

When doors open outward, the hinges are on the outside so that is a security issue. All it takes is a screw driver and a hammer to remove the door.

Our front door on our home in South Florida swung to the inside.

I don't understand the point of the OP.

If the OP doesn't live in TV, then why come here and post a question like that which will instill possible fear into residents that are new to Florida.

If the OP does live in TV, then why do they live here? Why would a person live in Florida in a home they do not trust in a hurricane?

NOW is not the time for people to be questioning the building quality and safety of their homes, now is the time to try to relax and if that means going to visit friends up north, then do it, if that means getting some extra beers or wine to last through a few days of power outage, then do that. But focusing on quality of your homes building and whether or not it is safe is not a good thing for anyone - especially people new to Florida - to do when a hurricane is approaching. The time for that was before you purchased. I mean seriously folks Florida and hurricanes kind of go together, they always have and they always will. If you don't trust your home so much you have to come online and ask others if your home is safe, then you really need to consider moving someplace safer - like CA on a Clift side so your home can go slip sliding away in a mud slide, or Kansa so you can hum "Up, Up and away" as a tornado relocates your home to Oz, or to LA so you can get you exercise vibrating to the tunes of the next earth quake...

If someone is really concerned about the construction quality of their house, the logical thing to do is to hire a home inspector or structural engineer to inspect the house to verify that it is constructed according to the building codes related to hurricane protection. I think the most significant feature to prevent hurricane damage is for the roof structure to be securely strapped down to the top of the exterior walls to prevent wind from blowing away the roof. And, there are other features that should be looked at, if you don't trust the builder.

Well said....I totally agree.

Where was your concern when you were buying?
BTW how can you compare to South Miami-Dade County factually?

Florida has building codes to make homes as ready as possible for hurricanes. I am comfortable with my home, but agree more concern with what people don't put away during hurricanes.

The 'big one' has already hit. It was called Irma. No need to speculate.

Oh, by the way. De we reallly need to worry our neighbors like this as a storm approaches? People are concerned enough. Asking a question will not change anything, so why do it?

Codes have become more stringent over the years. How old were the homes in the area you cite? They possibly were built when codes were weaker. Short of a WWII Omaha Beach Nazi bunker most homes will suffer damage if the storm is strong enough.

:ohdear: Not wanting to bash someone but do you not read the news, watch the news, talk to realtors or keep up with what is going on in the world. Lived in a far off part of the US after Andrew and read when the laws were updated. Some of the most stringent building codes due to hurricanes were enacted down there. Now are followed by most FL communities.

And remember, while hurricanes are serious, with some common sense they are not that dangerous - ether hunker down or get out of the way. And DON'T listen to the news. They are sensationalizing everything to get clicks.

To the OP, I will not try to change your mind because from your two posts here you seem to have decided. Instead, I will point out a factual way for you and everyone else to see the "new villages team" not cutting corners in the building of the new homes. Go to any one of Don Wiley's youtube videos where he flys over and films the new homes being built. You will see may homes with green roofs, this material is self stick material adhered to the roof decking. It is also a self sealing membrane so each nail that penetrates it in attaching the roof shingles becomes sealed. It is commonly known as a secondary water barrier, meaning the roof shingles can be blown off by high winds but the green membrane remains water tight.

This type of material is an extra cost above the standard underlayment that is stapled to the roof deck. The standard underlayment meets the building code, the green membrane is above and beyond and many insurance companies discount the cost of coverage for homes that have it. This type of roof is far superior in preventing hurricane damage.

Codes are the bare minimum, really good builders will exceed it if the customer is willing to pay--prime example is roofing, quality of the underlayment & how the underlayment is attached