Florida's Net-Zero Community Proves Resilient During Hurricanes Helene And Milton

How Hunters Point's Sustainable, Storm-Proof Homes Survived Back-to-Back Hurricanes Without Losing Power

 

As parts of Florida plunged into darkness from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, one community stood resilient. Hunters Point, a new waterfront development near Bradenton Beach, Florida, kept the lights on, defying the state’s widespread blackouts. Designed as the first “net-zero” single-family home development in the U.S., Hunters Point offers not only sustainability but hurricane resilience—a necessity in an era of increasingly severe storms driven by climate change.
  

A Vision for Sustainable Living

Developed by Pearl Homes, Hunters Point stands out as a groundbreaking project. The community, nestled between Sarasota Bay and southwestern Tampa Bay, promises a lifestyle where energy production meets or exceeds usage. Solar panels power the homes, and the excess energy is stored or sold back to the grid, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, which still power much of Florida. But these homes are more than just energy-efficient. They are built with climate resiliency in mind, fortified to withstand extreme weather events, such as the recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The streets of Hunters Point are purposefully designed to flood before the homes do, and power lines are buried to prevent damage from wind. The homes feature hurricane-proof windows, sturdy concrete walls, and foam insulation that acts as both a shield from storms and an energy-saving measure. This attention to detail makes these houses some of the safest in the country for weathering hurricanes.
 

A Real-Life Test of Resilience

Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit Florida within a span of two weeks, offering a real-world test for the newly constructed homes in Hunters Point. While nearby areas, like Anna Maria Island and St. Petersburg, suffered massive flooding, power outages, and widespread destruction, the residents of Hunters Point fared much better.

William Fulford, a 76-year-old retired custom homebuilder, moved to Hunters Point with his wife Sueann in 2023. They decided to stay during both hurricanes, preparing by moving their car to higher ground and securing all outdoor furniture. Despite the mandatory evacuations and the catastrophic winds of Hurricane Milton, Fulford remained confident in the strength of their home.

“I’m just quite convinced that the strength and everything in this house. They built a great house, a strong house,” Fulford shared. And his confidence was justified—while the surrounding area lost power, Hunters Point’s solar power and battery storage kept the lights on. Fulford and his neighbors experienced little to no damage.
 

Building for the Future: Storm-Proof Design

The success of Hunters Point lies in its storm-proof design. Homes are built to withstand the worst-case scenario—Category 5 hurricanes. Solar panels are securely fastened to roofs, steel straps anchor the structure from the roof down to the foundation, and homes are elevated 16 feet above sea level to avoid flood risks. Ground-level garages are equipped with flood vents, allowing water to drain while keeping living spaces dry and safe.

The attention to flood resilience is especially important in Hunters Point's location, a major flood zone. Developers exceeded the required elevation by filling the foundation with 7 feet of dirt, instead of the mandated 3 feet, to ensure safety from rising waters. These measures, while impressive, come at a price. Homes in the community range from $1.4 million to $1.9 million, significantly higher than typical homes in the area.
 

A Model for Climate Resilience

Though the homes come with a hefty price tag, they are part of a larger vision for sustainable, climate-resilient living. Marshall Gobuty, founder and president of Pearl Homes, sees the success of Hunters Point as proof that homes of the future will need to integrate solar power, battery storage, and climate-proof construction. With 31 homes completed out of the planned 86, Gobuty emphasizes that this type of construction is the solution to increasingly powerful hurricanes and rising sea levels caused by climate change.

“We see it’s performing,” Gobuty said. “The world is changing, and this is the test people are waiting to see.”

As Florida continues to experience stronger and more frequent storms, communities like Hunters Point offer a glimpse into what future developments may look like. More homes will need to adopt similar net-zero, hurricane-proof designs to protect residents and reduce reliance on outdated energy infrastructure. For the Fulford family and others living in Hunters Point, these innovations are not just about luxury but survival.
 

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Source: CNN

Photo Credit: Julian Quinones/CNN/File Hunters Point

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