Florida Homes Take Beating From Yearly Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina it should come as no surprise that Forbes Magazine has listed a number of Florida cities, particularly West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, as some of the least safe places to live in the country.

Coastal and southern areas are the most prone to getting hit by hurricanes and tropical storms, meaning that aside from the posibility of Florida homes being blown away by hurricanes, they are also susceptible to flooding, the "most potentially damaging natural disaster."

Helping protect Florida homes is the Fortified for Safer Living Program, founded by the Institute for Business & Home Safety. The program teaches homeowners and builders how to "incorporate materials and technologies into new" Florida homes that will help houses withstand extreme weather. You can find out which changes and additions are best for Florida homes in your area by using the program´s ZIP code locator.