Researchers test strength of manufactured homes ahead of hurricane season

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]This is just a preliminary force of FIU's wall of wind. 12 fans that can simulate the power of a hurricane.

[00:00:16]Researchers blasted category five force hurricane winds to find out just how much force this manufactured home could take. This shows that we need to make sure that we make this structure safer so that we don't see this kind of damage under hurricane winds. Hundreds of thousands of Floridians live in some kind of manufactured housing.

[00:00:40]>> This is critical research. Florida has the most manufactured homes of any state. Compliant with Miami-Dade County's current building code, this single wide trailer is equipped with straps to anchor it to the ground. The home itself, how it's anchored, if it can be anchored in a better way so it doesn't roll over or move, then you don't have a loss and they have a home to come back to.

[00:01:03]>> With the wall of wind churning out 155 plus miles per hour winds at its source, the home took a beating but initially the straps held it in place. Yet building codes are different in different places. Beyond South Florida, this manufactured home might not be as secure in a severe storm. After researchers clipped some anchor straps and left the doors and windows open, everything changed. The home tumbled away. Researchers from hurricane country to tornado alley have lessons to learn.

[00:01:34]>> Because we're able to do this testing at the wall of wind, it is letting us observe how that progressive failure happens which lets us design solutions.

[00:01:42]Not only can this research help South Florida build better, but it can also save lives. At FIU, Julia Bagg, NBC 6 News.