FEMA Spotlights Florida Community That Survived Monster Hurricanes With Metal Roofing

When Hurricanes Milton and Helene pummeled Florida's Gulf Coast in 2024, they left destruction in their wake that cost billions and displaced thousands. Yet in the midst of this devastation, one 86-home community in Cortez stood virtually unscathed—a testament to the power of smart building practices and superior roofing materials.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now highlighted Hunters Point as a trailblazer for surviving extreme weather conditions, with steel roofing playing a central role in the community's resilience. The case study offers compelling evidence for what roofing professionals have long known: not all roofing materials are created equal when it comes to hurricane protection.

Steel Roofing: The Hurricane-Resistant Choice

During Hurricane Milton, winds in Cortez reached up to 110 mph. In their comprehensive analysis, FEMA specifically called out the hurricane-resistant materials used at Hunters Point, noting that "Hunters Point roofs are constructed from steel, which has been proven to be longer-lasting, resilient, and durable against wind uplift."

The agency's findings align with established performance data. When properly installed, many quality metal roofs are rated to resist high wind speeds in the 130–150+ mph range—equivalent to the F2 tornado threshold (113–157 mph) and exceeding the demands of a Category 3 hurricane.

The durability advantage extends beyond pure wind resistance. As FEMA noted in their case study, steel roofs "resist leaks and are much less likely to puncture, tear or crack" compared to traditional roofing materials. This resistance to physical damage becomes critical during storms when flying debris poses a significant threat to roof integrity. Learn more about metal roofing performance in extreme weather.

The Asphalt Shingle Weakness

FEMA's analysis revealed a stark contrast between the performance of steel roofing and the most common roofing material in hurricane-prone regions. According to Florida officials at a Senate Banking and Insurance Committee hearing, asphalt shingle roofs only provide complete protection against hurricane winds until they reach about 10 years of age.

This degradation timeline presents serious implications for property owners across the Gulf Coast, where aging shingle roofs may offer false security. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has conducted studies showing that while all roof types can sustain cosmetic damage during severe hailstorms, metal roofing performed best and proved much less likely to puncture compared to asphalt—even when subjected to golf ball-sized hailstones.

The performance difference becomes even more pronounced when considering the UL Class 4 impact resistance rating that steel roofing achieves. As Jack Stanton, State Farm Insurance Company's Loss Mitigation coordinator, explained to the Insurance Journal, "Every year, thousands of homeowners lose their roofs to hail and wind damage. We now know that Class 4 materials offer some of the best long-term roof protection available to homeowners."

Beyond Roofing: Comprehensive Resilience Strategy

While steel roofing provided the primary weather protection, FEMA highlighted several other design features that contributed to the survival of Hunters Point. The community incorporated steel straps that connected each floor to create continuous load paths, thereby enhancing the buildings' ability to withstand high winds. Windows featured hurricane-grade impact-resistant glass, and homes used two-by-six lumber framing instead of standard two-by-fours for enhanced structural strength.

The development also addressed flood risks by building homes 16 feet above the flood zone and incorporated solar panel systems capable of providing stored power for up to 10 days during grid failures. These holistic approaches to disaster resilience demonstrate how proper planning and material selection work together.

Cost-Effective Resilience

One of FEMA's most significant conclusions challenges the perception that hurricane-resistant construction requires prohibitive costs. As the agency stated: "The foresight shown by Hunters Point proves that there are affordable and highly cost-effective strategies that communities, local governments, landowners, developers, and tenants can put into practice."

This cost-effectiveness becomes even more apparent when considering the lifecycle value of metal roofing. While steel roofing often carries higher upfront costs compared to asphalt shingles, the durability advantages create significant long-term savings. Metal roofs typically last 40-50 years compared to the 20-year lifespan expected from shingles, while requiring less maintenance and offering better resistance to wind, hail, and other weather-related damage. For a deeper dive into costs and value, see our posts on metal vs. shingle costs and this overview of panel selection.

Insurance companies recognize this value proposition, with many providers offering discounts for properties with metal roofing due to the reduced frequency and severity of claims. These premium reductions help offset initial material costs while providing ongoing financial benefits throughout the roof's lifespan. Learn more about Class 4 roofing and insurance benefits.

Proven Performance in Real-World Conditions

The Hunters Point example joins a growing catalog of metal roofing success stories during extreme weather events. Following Hurricane Irma's devastation in the Florida Keys, officials began calling for mandatory metal roofing requirements in Monroe County. Metal roofs have also performed exceptionally during other natural disasters, including surviving forest fires where other materials failed.

These real-world performance examples validate the engineering and testing that goes into modern metal roofing systems. Rigorous testing protocols, such as ASTM E1592 uplift testing, simulate actual field conditions using large test chambers, with specimens tested to failure to establish reliable design parameters. The most demanding applications, including those of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, require this level of testing verification.

Regional Considerations for Metal Roofing

The success at Hunters Point underscores considerations that roofing professionals take into account when specifying materials for hurricane-prone regions. Steel substrate selection becomes critical in coastal environments where salt exposure accelerates corrosion. Galvalume coatings offer enhanced protection against rust and weathering in most climate zones, while selecting the proper gauge strikes a balance between performance requirements and project budgets.

Installation quality proves equally important to material selection. The wind uplift capacity of metal roofing systems depends heavily on the use of proper fastening techniques and the integration of components. Multi-span clips can triple wind uplift capacity when properly installed, addressing updated wind-load requirements that have evolved since many existing buildings were constructed.

A Blueprint for Hurricane Resilience

FEMA's analysis of Hunters Point provides more than just validation of metal roofing performance—it offers a roadmap for communities facing increasing hurricane threats. As the agency concluded, "it is possible to build communities capable of withstanding extreme weather events" without excessive costs.

For roofing professionals working in hurricane-prone regions, the Hunters Point case study underscores the importance of engaging in material selection conversations with clients. While initial costs may favor traditional materials, the combination of superior performance, insurance savings, and reduced lifecycle costs makes steel roofing an increasingly compelling choice for properties facing severe weather risks.

The Metal Roofing Alliance encourages property owners to explore how metal roofing can enhance their hurricane preparedness and resilience. For guidance about regional considerations and homeowner testimonials about hurricane survival experiences, visit metalroofing.com and its testimonials section.

As climate change continues to intensify storm patterns, the Hunters Point example demonstrates that proactive building practices and superior materials can successfully protect communities when nature unleashes its fury. The question for property owners becomes not whether they can afford hurricane-resistant roofing, but whether they can afford not to have it.

For more information about FEMA's analysis of Hunters Point's hurricane resilience, visit Hunters Point: Leading the Charge in Hurricane Resilience | FEMA.gov.