Date of Graduation

12-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Architecture

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Architecture

Advisor/Mentor

Folan, John

Committee Member/Reader

McCown, Ken

Committee Member/Second Reader

Moxley, Shari

Committee Member/Third Reader

Loerts, Rachel

Abstract

Hurricanes impact individuals and communities on many levels - emotional, physical, mental, financial - to name a few. Every time a hurricane occurs, lives are drastically altered forever. One of the ways that hurricanes impact individuals and communities most powerfully is through the effect that they have on housing. Unleashing uncontrollable damage to infrastructure and the built environment, hurricanes exacerbate housing problems that exist and create new ones where they did not exist before. Hurricane Michael, which catastrophically impacted the Florida Panhandle in 2018, is a case study in which the impact that hurricanes have on housing is prevalent.

By drawing connections from a series of questionnaires answered by local individuals and previously recorded interviews, this exploration presents observations about the impact that Hurricane Michael had on communities in North Florida and how its impact is still being felt today. Many individuals feel that they have been forgotten by federal governments and the national media while their communities still try to recover and housing shortages remain a problem. Through a series of posters illustrating the human experience during and after Hurricane Michael, this exploration seeks to ensure that communities affected by Hurricane Michael are not forgotten. Research is also presented discussing the impact of Hurricane Michael on housing in North Florida, as well as suggestions of solutions to the problem and next steps.

Keywords

Architecture; hurricanes; Hurricane Michael; housing; housing shortage; storm recovery

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