PROJECT SUPPORT

OUR STORMS HAVE CHANGED.

SO SHOULD THE WAY WE BUILD.

Florida’s hurricanes are faster, stronger and more destructive. Our coastal cities are on the front line. Let’s give them a fighting chance by building them stronger.

Concrete masonry weathers the toughest storms. It’s inherently resilient, adapting to today’s risks and meeting tomorrow’s standards.

CMU IS
FORTIFYING FLORIDA

HURRICANES
TAKE A HEAVY TOLL

From life safety to livelihoods, hurricanes carry a high price tag.
Building with CMU can help minimize the impact and help communities recover quickly.

HURRICANE

WIND SPEED

TOTAL DAMAGE (IN BILLIONS)

IRMA

185 MPH

$64 B

MICHAEL

160 MPH

$31.2 B

IAN

150 MPH

$119.6 B

HELENE

140 MPH

$78.7 B

MILTON

180 MPH

$34.30 B

REF: www.ncei.noaa.gov

During Hurricane Ian, 3 million Floridians lost power and more than 52,000 structures were damaged in Lee County alone.

12+ insurance carriers have exited the Florida market since 2020.

Insurance availability is rebounding, but the average insurance premium reached $3,023 in 2025, a 34% increase from Q4 2022.

Ref: www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2025/06/17/827996.htm

STRONGER STORMS
DEMAND STRONGER BUILDINGS

Along Florida’s entire coast, buildings need to weather more than 140 mph winds.

What happens as wind speeds increase?

AT 140 MPH

light objects become projectiles

AT 150 MPH

larger objects (pieces of structural wood, parts of siding, roofing) can puncture walls 

AT 160 MPH

large, heavy debris (timbers, large roof components) becomes airborne, penetrating most walls  

[IBHS Hurricane Michael wind damage assessment] 

THE NEXT BIG STORM IS COMING.

DON’T LET FLORIDA HIT ITS BREAKING POINT.

RETHINK BLOCK.
WE’LL MAKE IT EASY.

Enter your email to receive important resources and updates from the Beauty of Block.

MATERIAL ADVANTAGES

FEATURE

BENEFIT

STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY

Performs under wind, impact, uplift and lateral loads—ideal for high-risk storm regions.

NON-COMBUSTIBLE AND DURABLE

Resists fire, pests, moisture and salt-air corrosion without added layers

PASSIVE THERMAL PERFORMANCE

Enhances energy efficiency and outage survivability through thermal mass

DESIGN
FLEXIBILITY

Modular detailing accommodates virtually unlimited layout options and applications

PERFORMANCE
THAT PAYS OFF

Lower lifecycle cost, reduced repair frequency and favorable insurance outcomes

NEED DESIGN HELP?

CONNECT WITH A BLOCK DESIGN PROFESSIONAL TODAY!

Complete our simple design assistance form or connect directly with the technical director in your area.

LEARN MORE

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

REALITY:

It’s not about spending more—it’s about losing less. CMU lowers maintenance, reduces repairs and cuts insurance risk, especially in high-risk areas. It’s a smart, resilient investment that pays off over time.

    A 2021 regional cost study examining the initial cost of construction for multi-residential structures shows CMU to be highly competitive—and often the least expensive—across key Southeastern markets.

  • In Tampa, CMU costs less than wood framing.
  • In Charlotte, Raleigh and Richmond, CMU costs only 3%-4% more than wood, while steel framing is about 6% higher.
Source: Southeast Concrete Masonry Association (SCMA), 2021. For the complete list of Initial Cost of Construction Studies of Multi-Residential Structures, visit www.buildingstudies.org.
“BUILDING WITH BLOCK IS TOO COSTLY”

REALITY:

Building codes set the minimum — and they struggle to keep pace with worsening weather. CMU naturally offers more: added strength, moisture protection and fire resistance. These benefits come standard with typical construction, with competitive upfront costs and long-term savings.
  • The average number of billion-dollar weather disasters in the Southeast has nearly tripled — from about 5 per year (1980–2019) to over 13 per year (2020–2024)
    NOAA/NCEI, Southeast Climate Region Summary
  • Coastal flood risk expected to triple by 2050
    NOAA, 2023
“We already meet building code requirements."

REALITY:

That sense of security is outdated. Today’s storms don’t stop at the shoreline. As they push inland, they can dump heavy rain, shift paths or trigger tornadoes with little warning. A changing climate means every community must expect the unexpected, no matter how far from the coast.
  • 78% of flood-damaged homes from Hurricane Debby were outside FEMA flood zones
    NAHB, 2023
  • 57,000+ Helene-related flood claims came from unmapped areas
    FEMA, 2024
  • Hurricane Ian caused $112B in damage — much of it 50+ miles inland
    FEMA, 2022
"We’re safe — we’re not on the coast or in a flood zone."

REALITY:

Paying more for insurance doesn’t guarantee full protection. Coverage gaps are growing, and many recent storm losses weren’t reimbursed. Insurance helps with recovery, not prevention. Choosing resilient materials like CMU protects your investment before disaster strikes.
  • 12+ insurers have exited Florida since 2020
    Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, 2023
  • <1% of inland homes affected by Helene had FEMA flood insurance
    AIR Worldwide, 2024
  • 400,000+ inland homes are underinsured for flood
    First Street Foundation, 2023
  • Helene caused $30.5–$47.5B in damage, but only $6–$11B was insured
    AIR Worldwide, FEMA, 2024
"We understand the risks — that’s why we pay a premium for good insurance."

REALITY:

It’s widely used in schools, civic buildings and affordable housing. CMU’s low maintenance and high durability make it a cost-effective choice for the public and private sector alike.
“CMU isn’t viable for budget-conscious or public projects.”

REALITY:

Emerging systems may show promise but often lack the inherent fire resistance, moisture durability and long-term structural data required for performance-based design. CMU is noncombustible, flood-resistant, and backed by decades of real-world and lab-tested reliability — making it a trusted choice for high-exposure environments.
“Newer systems like SIPs or hybrid panels offer similar protection.”
FLORIDA NEWS SPOTLIGHT
Long-deferred projects move forward as Chicagoland communities build for the future     
Communities are starting to build again, moving beyond incremental upgrades toward investments designed for the long haul. Identifying the need hasn’t been the issue. Finding a path forward has. Years of deferred maintenance, rising construction costs and uncertainty around funding all play into why projects stall, perpetuating a costly cycle of short-term fixes. 
Learn more
Learn more
Stronger Schools Start With Smarter Materials: Why Charlotte Is Building Safety Into the Walls    
Early in design, decisions can often feel isolated. A wall system here. A detail there. But over time, those decisions ultimately define how a building performs — what it costs to construct, maintain and how much embodied carbon it carries. 
Learn more
Learn more
Designing for Less: How System Efficiency Connects Cost and Carbon   
Early in design, decisions can often feel isolated. A wall system here. A detail there. But over time, those decisions ultimately define how a building performs — what it costs to construct, maintain and how much embodied carbon it carries. 
Learn more
Learn more

RESOURCES

Explore the resources below for more insights on how architects and engineers are incorporating concrete masonry to enhance the resilience of their designs.

LEARN

Build your CMU IQ with FREE online courses.

SIGN UP

EXPLORE

Learn all things block from the experts at the Concrete Masonry Checkoff.

LEARN MORE

DESIGN

Get free project support and help answer CMU-specific questions.

DESIGN NOW
Facebook
LinkedIn
Download
Facebook
LinkedIn
Download
Facebook
LinkedIn
Download
Facebook
LinkedIn
Download

We value your privacy

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent.

Reject All
Accept All
Design Assistance