Superior in
every category
our storms have changed — so should the way we build
The time for CMU-based design is now.
Hurricanes are gaining strength in every sense — striking more often,
with greater force, and causing widespread damage to property and infrastructure while putting lives at risk. Structural integrity and operational continuity are essential traits that come standard with CMU construction.
Ready to start building with CMU? We can show you how.
Hurricane facts
From life safety to livelihoods, hurricanes carry a high price tag.
7,211
$182.7 billion
115
$1.5 trillion
Source: Office for Coastal Management
HURRICANES
TAKE A HEAVY TOLL
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
19 14 10 11 07 05 03 03 01 01 01 01
Total hurricane
Impacts (2000-2023)
BLOCK BENEFITS
With concrete masonry, hazard resistance comes standard — it’s built into every block.
Integrity in
any storm
Saving on safety
Surge-ready
DID you know?
- Hurricane Ivan (2004) holds the record for spawning 118 tornadoes — the most ever generated by a single tropical system.
- The U.S. saw more EF3 tornadoes linked to tropical systems in 2024 than in the previous 29 years combined.
- Six states set new annual tornado records in 2024, including Illinois (142), lowa (125) and Oklahoma (152).
SOURCE: NOAA STORM PREDICTION CENTER; NCEI SEVERE WEATHER DATA, 2024.
Build for the next big storm
See how CMU resists hurricane forces while preserving design intent. This flyer offers a brief overview of design responses to hurricane-related hazards.
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
RESOURCES
Explore the resources below for more insights on how to incorporate concrete masonry to enhance the resilience of your designs.
