Why Master Planned Communities Withstand Bad Weather Better
We’re halfway through Florida’s hurricane season, so storm preparation should still be top of mind as we weather the remaining summer and early fall months. It’s likely you’ve noticed which communities fare better during storms than others — some neighborhoods are more prone to flooding, infrastructure damage and interruptions, and structural issues during inclement weather. Here at Sunbridge, we’re built to last!
Master-planned communities generally don’t see the kind of damage experienced elsewhere, and for good reason! Enhanced infrastructure and stormwater management, natural buffers and integrated green spaces, and modern building codes all play a part in keeping our shared spaces beautiful. Here’s why.
Long-Term Vision
Master planned communities (MPCs) are designed to last. Our planners took into account landscape features like floodplains, elevation and drainage patterns to minimize the impact of natural weather phenomena. Because of this, land development engineers designed our infrastructure systems to higher standards. Roads, bridges and utility systems were designed more effectively, reducing the risk of damage and facilitating effective recovery.
Smart Community Design
When Tavistock considered where to place certain aspects of MPCs, they prioritized green spaces, parks and natural buffers to weather, which can help absorb excess water during heavy rain and act as windbreaks. Large retention ponds efficiently collect rainwater, and electrical lines are placed underground, so even in the heaviest winds, the power stays on so your fridge stays fresh! Landscaping features can also minimize erosion and enhance water management (including our use of native plants!).
Better Building Standards
MPCs tend to be held to higher building standards and the most up-to-date building codes compared to older developments. These codes require construction that can withstand a range of weather conditions, including hurricanes and flooding, which our neck of the woods is known for experiencing. Reinforced roofing, impact-resistant windows and stronger foundations are all part of these efforts.
Community Communication
In a tight-knit community like Sunbridge, there’s direct and multi-channel communication between residents and community leaders. Active HOAs promote community-wide preparedness efforts and education, and are able to make residents aware of potential risks and evacuation routes quickly and effectively through email, text and other channels. In Sunbridge, we prioritize resident safety and know how important it is to keep you in the loop!
While no community is immune to the effects of bad weather like hurricanes, MPCs like Sunbridge are designed with these events in mind, making the risks of damage lower and resilience more effective when interruptions do happen.
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