Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
October 29, 2020
Fernandina Beach Building Official Steve Beckman previously lived and worked in Naples, FL. He sent the following video. The importance of strong building codes is underscored during hurricane events.
Hurricane Irma hit Naples as a Category 3 storm in September 2017. Beckman wrote, “It is a a view from a second story window of a house built in Naples filmed during Hurricane Irma with 140 mph winds hitting us directly. House next door was built the year before I built the one I’m in [from which I’m shooting the video].”
To view video click on the following: IMG_8291
I’m clicking on the video link and get only a dark screen. My husband clicks on the video link and gets only a white screen. Wish we could see the video.
Link is not working properly.
Joanna, I”m sorry you are having trouble with the link. I am having no difficulty viewing the video and another reader who commented on the link is having no issues as well.
Link worked for me. Agree with Steve Beckman. If you are going to live on a barrier island, you need to have a strong building code. Would add to that, you need to understand the importance of trees, dunes and other native vegetation which operate as infrastructure during these storms. If the trees are not helping to take the wallop out of a storm, the only thing left to do that job is your home or business. Same with our dune and dune vegetation system. If native vegetation is not available to absorb excess water from a storm, it will be running into your garage, home or business. Conserve, preserve and protect what we have so that it in turn will preserve and protect all of us when we need it.