BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss — With the frequency of hurricanes on the rise and skyrocketing insurance rates, protecting our homes has never been more critical.
To gain some expert advice, I traveled to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, where I met Josh Morgerman, a man who has faced the eye of over 70 hurricanes—more than anyone else on the planet.
Who is Josh Morgerman?
Josh Morgerman, also known as "iCyclone," is a renowned hurricane chaser and meteorologist. He’s been through storms like Haiyan, Ian and Hurricane Patricia which was the strongest cyclone ever reliably observed anywhere on earth with winds of 215mph. His extensive experience in tracking and surviving some of the most powerful storms gives him unparalleled insight into hurricane preparedness. Josh's expertise is not just theoretical; he lives it. He built his own hurricane-resistant home in one of the most hurricane-prone areas in the United States.
Josh Morgerman’s Hurricane-Proof Home
"I decided to build a house here," Josh explained. "But one issue here is that this is ground zero for some of the greatest hurricane disasters in American history, like Hurricane Katrina and Category 5 Hurricane Camille. So, if I’m going to build a home here, it has to be designed and built right; it has to be hurricane tough. This is a special house that I built. Now, it looks very traditional. It looks like a typical old southern home—it's a shotgun house—but there’s a lot going on in these walls to make this a fortified gold home. This place is a vault."
The Fortification Process
Josh detailed the importance of having a third-party inspector involved during the construction process.
"As you’re building the house, you have a third-party evaluator work with you and guide you along the process. They give you and your builder suggestions on reinforcing connection points and other critical areas. Once you comply with all their recommendations, you receive a certificate that says your home is fortified gold. This certificate can significantly lower your insurance rates and provides peace of mind, knowing your house is designed to withstand high winds."
Tips for Existing Homeowners
Not everyone is building a new home, so Josh shared some practical advice for hurricane-proofing existing homes:
- Roof Integrity: "The roof is crucial. If the roof rips off, it’s game over. A standing seam metal roof is the best option as it can withstand extreme winds."
- Window Protection: "Ensure your windows are either impact-resistant glass or have shutters. If a window breaks during a hurricane, the wind can cause significant structural damage."
- Siding Upgrade: "Old, rotted wood or soft vinyl siding won't hold up. Fiber-cement siding, such as James Hardie siding, is the best option. It doesn’t rot, mold, burn, and is impact-resistant. It’s like encasing your house in armor." This is what Josh uses on the his home to keep it safe.