Being on the beautiful gulf coast comes at a cost.
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused severe damage. It led to the realization that Corpus Christi needs hurricane-rated windows to combat such storms in the future.
We will explore how past storms affected the area and why hurricane-rated windows are so important for homes and businesses alike. We’ll also talk about what you can do now to protect your property from future catastrophes, including getting new hurricane-resistant windows installed.
Hurricane Harvey’s impact on Corpus Christi
Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas, on August 25th, 2017. It has been the most destructive hurricane to make landfall in the United States since 2005, when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the southeast.
As a category 4 hurricane, it unleashed winds over 130 miles per hour. With winds like that, all sorts of debris flying around, crashing into vehicles, infrastructure, and thousands of homes. In total, there was over $125 billion in damage.
Sadly, over 100 people died in that storm. It left a deep scar for many on the coast of Texas and Louisianna, and Corpus Christi was no exception. At least 82 deaths were in Texas, with most of those being in or around Corpus Christi.
The last actual hurricane to hit Corpus Christi before Harvey was in 2008 with Hurricane Ike, which caused 13 deaths and 30.5 billion dollars in damage.
Despite its turbulent past, the city and its residents learn from these disasters. The families and businesses painfully rebuild what they lost and prepare for future storms. After all, Corpus Christi is no stranger to large storms.
Why the city is susceptible to hurricanes
With its location in South Texas and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi has always been in danger of hurricanes.
The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico provide hurricanes with the moisture and energy they need to grow and strengthen, so it’s no surprise that this area sees more than its fair share of these storms. The Gulf’s warm waters are about 80 degrees in the summer, allowing hurricanes to strengthen rapidly when they develop in this region.
One of the biggest dangers to Corpus Christi is it is very flat. Most of the city sits only five feet above sea level. During storm surges, this can be extremely dangerous as storm waters won’t recede as quickly.
Additionally, sustained winds and wind gusts can reach 140 miles per hour during exceptional storms! With speeds like that, the wind is not the issue; it’s what’s being carried through the air by the wind. Imagine a 2×4 piece of wood zooming towards your home. It will go right through it!
Corpus Christi residents need to understand the risks involved with living in such a hurricane-prone region, as well as what they can do now to protect their property from future catastrophes.
The need for hurricane rated windows in Corpus Christi
Being in a hurricane hot spot, families that reside in the beautiful coastal city of Corpus Christi need to take measures to protect their homes and themselves.
To protect their homes and families from the high winds and flying debris, window shutters or hurricane-rated windows are frequently installed. Another option is to attach plywood over the windows.
In fact, the city of Corpus Christi requires window installers to either install hurricane-resistant windows or provide plywood cutouts specifically for each window.
These options provide ample protection from the winds, but they each have their advantages and disadvantages.
How hurricane rated windows can help protect against future storms
While shutters and plywood are viable options, they do require you to place them before the storm hits. Windows, though, are easy and require no effort to prepare for a storm.
Shutters aren’t too much work. They’re typically fixed to the home, and you have to secure them. Depending on the look and feel of your home, they can add some curb appeal to your home as well. The plywood, on the other hand, is quite a task.
For each window, individual pieces of plywood must be cut and mounted to the side of your home over the window. Mounting plywood requires 2-3 people at a minimum to emplace the coverings. And, if you’re fortunate enough to find the wood during the shortages that often occur before a hurricane, wood isn’t exactly an inexpensive option as each piece can cost upwards of $20. Then you also have to consider storing the plywood between hurricane seasons. It’s a pain.
The best, safest, and most convenient option is to have hurricane-rated windows installed. Not only will they protect your home from debris during high winds, but they also are energy-efficient, and they look great. Plus, they protect your home year-round without you having to do a thing. Despite being the aesthetically pleasing and more straightforward option, they are, however, the more costly option.
Corpus Christi is located in a hurricane hot spot, and Hurricane Harvey proved to be no exception. With this realization, the residents of the city now realize that they need hurricane-rated windows for homes. If you live in Corpus Christi, make sure your home has these high-performance impact-resistant windows installed before it’s too late!
If you’re looking to install hurricane-resistant windows on your home, give us a call or get a quick estimate. We would gladly help you prepare for the next major storm.