Miami’s High-Rise Boom: Are New Buildings Ready for Hurricane-Force Winds

Doug McIntyre and David Callaway discuss the rapid increase in high-rise buildings in Miami, noting that the number of buildings over 50 stories tall will have tripled in a decade. Doug highlights the vulnerability of these structures to 150-mile-an-hour winds, which many are not rated to withstand. Most of these buildings are situated right on the water, increasing their exposure to severe weather. Callaway points out that a smaller building in Miami has already collapsed due to poor foundations and infrastructure. Despite efforts to construct stronger buildings, the rapid development and the presence of “pencil-thin” skyscrapers pose significant risks during hurricanes.