2004 Season

Four Hurricanes - August-September 2004

64 Dead, $24-46 Billion in Damage

(the home in the rear on the above image is an example how new manufactured homes withstood the Hurricanes the home in the front is a pre-1994 constructed unit.)

The 2004 hurricane season in Florida was by far the worst in modern history. Within a six-week period, four major hurricanes crossed portions of the state, causing widespread devastation from wind and floodwaters.

It is estimated that one out of every five homes in Florida suffered some storm damage in 2004. Insurance claims are expected to be more than double those filed in the wake of Hurricane Andrew - formerly the gold standard when it came to storm-related misery for Floridians.

The ordeal began on August 13, when Hurricane Charley slammed into Punta Gorda, packing winds up to 145 mph. Charley was to become the second-most-expensive single hurricane in the state's history, after Andrew.

Within three weeks, Charley was followed up by Hurricane Frances, striking this time along the Treasure Coast, 35 miles north of Palm Beach. Frances caused extensive flood and wind damage as it cut a swath across the state before entering Georgia. And by the time Frances had gone, another storm was waiting in the wings.

Hurricane Ivan could have been the worst storm of the season—but instead of veering as Charley did and hitting the Gulf Coast of Florida, it continued north, weakening as it went, and made landfall on Sept. 16 just east of Mobile, Alabama. But the Florida panhandle still suffered major damage—especially from the severe tornadoes spawned by Ivan.

The final chapter took place ten days after Ivan, when Hurricane Jeanne, following almost exactly in the path of Frances, roared ashore along the Atlantic coast 40 miles north of Palm Beach, and then crossed the state into Georgia.

Not since 1964 had Florida been struck by three hurricanes in one season. Not since 1886 had any state been struck by four.

February 1, 2005

MANUFACTURED HOMES BUILT TO THE NEW WIND CODE

CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS SURVIVED THE HURRICANES
Building Codes Results Increase Consumer Confidence in Manufactured Homes

Tallahassee, FL— The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles released a report after the states four hurricanes that showed that factory-built homes built to the new tougher codes did not suffer any major damage from the storms.

The Florida Bureau of Manufactured Home and RV Construction surveyed 11,800 homes in 77 communities in seven counties in the path of Hurricane Charley. All homes installed to the new 1999 tie-down regulations stood firm on their foundations. A vast majority of the pre-1994 homes that sustained damage were as a results of more vulnerable post-factory attachments.

Orders for new manufactured homes have increased by 30% over this same time last year, according to Frank Williams, executive director of the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, Inc. Approximately 20,000 factory-built homes were sold throughout the state this year.

The recent hurricanes have contributed to the sales increase, and the homes track record in the recent storms has created new prospects. Factory-built homes built to the federal building codes in place since 1994 held up well against Florida's recent hurricanes, according to Mike Wnek, the state associations public relations

View Jacobsen Hurricane Testimonials

(content provided by Florida Manufactured Housing Association, Builtstronger.com)