How to create disaster proof homes

Many of us want fancy homes near beautiful beaches, forests, and mountains. But, these spots can be risky as they are more prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes. In the last couple of years, approximately 3.3 million Americans had to leave their homes because of extreme weather caused by the climate crisis. Today, people are willing to pay more for disaster-proof homes that can also withstand nature’s unpredictable forces.

Why are natural disasters on the rise, in the United States?

Well, the Earth is warming and the climate is changing. The ocean waters are getting warmer, causing stronger storms, wildfires, and drier living conditions. 

More often than not, it’s the financial compulsion that makes people live in disaster-prone areas. As home prices in safer cities have sharply risen, the demand for properties in new suburbs and exurbs has surged due to housing affordability challenges, leading to developments in disaster-prone canyons.

For example, states like Florida and California have been surprisingly getting more crowded because more people are moving there. That means more people are at risk of getting hurt by disasters.

What type of safe homes are Americans looking at?

Homeowners are increasingly exploring newer home options to mitigate the impact of these destructive natural disasters.  

Wildfire-proof homes

One of the most devastating wildfires in recent times was the Camp Fire in Northern California in 2018. It claimed 85 lives and caused insured losses exceeding $10 billion.

In response to this, California authorities have heightened building codes. The updated regulations mandate features such as double-paned or multi-paned windows with tempered glass, metal screens over vents, and fire-rated roofs.

Tornado proof homes

In 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration documented 367 tornadoes in the United States, resulting in 27 fatalities. One proactive measure that homeowners can take is to construct a safe room within the house. These bunkers, made of concrete or steel, cost anywhere from $3,000 to $9,500, on average.

Hurricane resistant homes

Hurricane Andrew’s impact near Miami resulted in $16 billion in damage. It was marked as the most expensive storm in U.S. history. Similar hurricanes have prompted local and state officials to strengthen building codes. Presently, new homes in Florida incorporate various hurricane-resistant features, including concrete block shells instead of wood, impact-resistant windows or storm shutters, heavily reinforced garage doors, and aerodynamically designed roof lines.

Read more: Hurricane survival tips

Earthquake proof homes 

In 1994, the Northridge Earthquake hit Southern California, causing $44 billion in property damage. If you live in an earthquake-prone area, experts suggest making some changes to your home to stay safer. For instance, you can add anchor bolts or steel plates between your home and its foundation, reinforce outside walls, secure crawl spaces, brace the water heater, install an automatic gas shut-off valve, and use anchor bolts to secure bookcases and tall shelves to walls.

Read more: How to make your home earthquake-safe

Flood proof homes

If your house is in a flood zone, here’s something important you should do: get flood insurance. Regular insurance usually doesn’t cover floods. So, the government’s National Flood Insurance Program is the go-to for flood policies. In such areas, if you have a mortgage, your loan lender will require you to get coverage. 

Read more: How to navigate unforeseen property damages

Can you create the perfect disaster-proof home?

There’s immense peace of mind in knowing that your home can handle big earthquakes and floods. And that you and your family members are safe no matter what.

Today, many homebuyers are seeking newer home designs to withstand hurricanes, earthquakes, or tornadoes. One such design is a geodesic dome. This type of house is made of strong, fire-resistant materials such as steel. And, the dome shape helps it resist super-strong winds. A lot of them even have solar panels and backup generators in case the power goes out. The total cost to build one of these unique homes is around $350,000 to $450,000 in rural areas. But if you’re building them in a city, it could be closer to $600,000.

Other important disaster-resilient building material options include:

• Concrete, for flood and fire resistance
• Steel framing, for wind and earthquake durability
• Fiber cement siding, for fire and moisture resistance
• Impact-rated glass, for windborne debris protection

Can you turn your existing home into a disaster-proof home?

While it’s challenging to make any home completely disaster-proof, you can certainly take steps to enhance its resilience against various disasters. 

• Identify potential risks in your region.
• Ensure your home’s foundation is secure. For earthquake-prone areas, consider retrofitting to improve structural integrity.
• Choose fire-resistant or reinforced roofing materials. 
• Clear vegetation and maintain a defensible space around your home, especially in wildfire-prone areas.
• Replace non-metal vent materials.
• Move propane tanks and other fuel sources away from homes.
• Protect sidings, eaves, overhangs, and soffits with fire-resistant materials.
• Install heat- and flame-resistant windows.
• Elevate electrical systems, appliances, and HVAC units to reduce flood damage.
• Get surge protection by way of a ground fault circuit interruptor, or GFCI outlet.
• Install a sump pump to prevent flooding in basements.
• Secure heavy furniture and appliances to prevent injuries during earthquakes.
• Review and update your insurance policy to ensure it adequately covers potential disasters.
• Develop a family emergency plan, including evacuation routes and a communication strategy.
• Create an emergency kit with essential supplies, including food, water, first aid items, and important documents.
• Keep your home well-maintained. Regularly check for leaks, cracks, or vulnerabilities.
• Ensure that smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are in working order.
• Participate in local community preparedness initiatives. Stay informed about emergency plans and warning systems in your area.

Last thoughts

Homeowners today face increasing risks from climate-driven disasters. But there are proactive solutions. Whether you plan to build a disaster-proof home from the ground up or improve the safety of your current residence, the key lies in smart design, strong building materials, and thorough preparedness.

As Presidio Roofing in San Antonio advises, while it’s nearly impossible to eliminate all risk, you can dramatically reduce your vulnerability with strategic upgrades, code-compliant building techniques, and comprehensive insurance coverage.

Read more: Liquidated damages in real estate

Written by Ramona Sinha. October 14, 2023

Ramona is the Senior Content Writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. She has written articles covering a broad range of topics, such as real estate, lending and mortgage, finance, business, taxation, home designs, home improvement projects, decor concepts, and more. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depth of her soul.