Would we care about hurricanes if our buildings didn't fall apart in them?

Question

So the argument to improved building frames doesn't 'hold water'?

With all the other damages and destructions, wouldn't improved building frames or hurricane-proofed building frames save on the time, efforts, and costs to clean up and rebuild after a hurricane?

Answer 1

They do much more physical damage than destroy buildings.

Trees down, roads blocked, signs downed, power and phone lines and poles downed, cars picked up and thrown around, water systems possibly contaminated from breakage, flooding, gas mains possibly broken and leaking... fun stuff.

Now, if you said "if they did no physical damage", then probably no, we wouldn't care.

Answer 2

Newer homes and buildings have to be able to withstand higher thresholds of winds and this ensures a better chance of surviving the high winds associated with hurricances.  Category 5 hurricanes with a direct hit or still in pretty grave danger.