OECS Buildings Codes vs Hurricane Irma

A few days ago I wrote a post on social media about the Building Codes in the Eastern Caribbean vs Hurricane Irma.  This post was written in anticipation for future backlash on the Codes within the islands, as unfortunately, there was a significant amount of damage throughout 7 of the islands that were impacted by the devastating Hurricane Irma.  The post went viral throughout the Caribbean as a few days later, a couple of Floridians made derogatory statements about the building construction within the region.  I've decided to share the post here, as a part of my blog.  The links to a few of the articles on the post from different media houses, are listed below.

To be clear, the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Irma is NOT an indictment on the construction techniques within the Eastern Caribbean.  The building codes in the Eastern Caribbean dictate that buildings should be designed to take wind speeds of between 154mph - 180mph, depending on the location and category of building.

Each island that the OECS Building Code accounts for that was affected by Hurricane Irma, has buildings that can withstand storms up to the following wind speeds:

Antigua & Barbuda - 168 mph
Anguilla - 176 mph
British Virgin Islands - 180 mph
St. Kitts & Nevis - 170 mph
Montserrat - 172 mph

Irma is an anomaly of a superstorm that hit the islands at 185 mph.

To put this into perspective: the frequency of Category 5 hurricanes that make a direct hit on each of the Caribbean islands isn't on an annual basis.  Cat 5's start at wind speeds of 157 mph.  A hurricane that reaches land at even 160 mph tends to go down in the record books.

Our construction techniques in the Caribbean region have improved considerably after 1989, when Hurricane Hugo hit the Eastern Caribbean and caused a considerably amount of damage.  Hurricane straps, ties, the distance between rafters, etc. were all rethought  and strengthened.  Although we always welcome new and improved construction technologies, our Building Code is sound, and many of our construction techniques are superior to those in many international countries.

Links to articles on the post:

- Loop TT:
http://www.looptt.com/content/architect-responds-after-floridians-call-caribbean-houses-cardboard

- Discover Montserrat
https://discovermni.com/2017/09/11/local-architects-defense-of-oecs-building-code-gets-endorsed-by-code-author/

Photos courtesy of:

Image 1 - Steel that was once upright prior to the passing of Hurricane Irma in one of the Caribbean islands.  This image shows the intensity of the Category 5++ hurricane.   Image is courtesy of Dr. Lavida Thomas-Richardson.

Image 2 - Destroyed buildings in the island of Barbuda after Hurricane Irma.  Image was circulated on social media subsequent to the passing of Hurricane Irma.  (I do not own the rights to this image).

Image 3 - Destroyed Princess Juliana Airport in the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin after Hurricane Irma.  Image was circulated on social media subsequent to the passing of Hurricane Irma.  (I do not own the rights to this image).