Home / Disasters and Accidents / Experts Warn: Riding Out a Category 5 Hurricane in a High-Rise is a Deadly Gamble
Experts Warn: Riding Out a Category 5 Hurricane in a High-Rise is a Deadly Gamble
16 Aug
Summary
- High-rise buildings not designed to withstand 200 mph winds of a Category 5 storm
- Power, water, and other utilities likely to fail for weeks after the storm
- Emergency responders may be unable to reach high-rise residents for days
As the 2025 hurricane season gets underway, experts are urging residents of South Florida's high-rise buildings to evacuate if a Category 5 storm is headed their way. According to civil engineering professor Fred Bloetscher, those who choose to stay put in a 50-story tower could face an "eyes-wide-open nightmare" and an "apocalyptic aftermath."
The key concerns are the extreme wind speeds, which can reach up to 200 mph on the upper floors, and the potential for widespread infrastructure damage. Bloetscher warns that high-rise residents should expect to lose power, running water, and even have their windows blown out, leaving them stranded and vulnerable. Fort Lauderdale Fire Chief Stephen Gollan echoes these concerns, stating that those who stay behind may be on their own for up to a week, with no access to basic necessities.
FEMA expert Bill Brown is blunt: "Leave." He cautions that even if people survive the storm, the aftermath could be deadly, with no power, limited water and food, and emergency responders overwhelmed. Developer Charlie Ladd agrees, saying he would never stay in a high-rise, even a newer one built to hurricane code, during a Category 5 event.
