Okay... Just how much can the Vero Beach Resort withstand?

[Maistre Gracey]

When we first purchased our Vero points, we took the Disney financing (since paid off).
For those of you who took this option, you likely remember the last form you signed... It stated that there is a 1 in 4 chance the resort will be destroyed by a huricane, sometime in the next 26 years.

My question- I know almost nothing about structural engineering, building codes, ect... I assume Disney building standards are rather high, but just how much can this building take?

Could this be the big one?

MG

Edited because of a misplaced comma. It was really bugging me!

 

[Beth]

That's a good question, MG.

....It doesn't get much bigger than this.

And we're getting closer and closer to the point that we have to accept that it's just not going to turn back out to sea...

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I don't know a lot about the topic but saw news reports of some of the areas that got hit from Hurricane Charley.

Where building standards are very high (Sanibel and Captiva) most buildings survived without major damage. In areas with lesser building codes, things got destroyed. I'm guessing that Disneys' VB was built to pretty high standards. Now whether it could withstand a direct hit by a cat 5 storm, I don't know, but I think we can be pretty sure, it was built to the highest possible standards.

HBC

 

[AFMom]

I don't own at Vero - however - I can certainly imagine everyone who does is nervous! Did they give you any sort of insurance info with that statement about the 1 in 4 chance? I'm sure they are very well covered - it would be hard for them to close down for a while to get everything fixed- but at least their summer season won't be affected, summer is close to over. I only just recently bought at OKW - wondering what sort of insurnace coverage they have there as well. Hope it's not the one - for everyone down there.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Just looking at the layout of the resort I've wondered that myself. The sand dunes won't offer much protection from a large storm surge. When we stayed there last year, I wondered why the units were not built on stilts with no ground floor units, like the HHI resort is. I hope this storm takes a u-turn!

 

[rphjr]

I think the most concern for major damage at Vero would be the storm surge that will come with the hurricane. The buildings will probably survive the wind and rain, but a major storm surge could wipe out the sand and ddirt from underneath the buildings causing them to tumble. I think the buildings most threatened would be the beach cottages given their proximity to the dune line. THe main bulding sits back far enough that major movements in the Island's sand would have to take place to destroy it. Of course a major surge would probable put a few feet of water on the first floor of the main building. Let's hope the storm's center goes well to the north or south of Vero

Question is if the resort sustained major damage, and the resort is shut down, do they cancel reservations with Vero points at other DVC resorts? If it's destroyed completely would we get an insurance payment? I have 175 points at Vero. Just wondering

 

[Chuck S]

My understanding is this...if the resort is closed for major repairs, Vero Owners may be denied use of their points at other DVC resorts, as they will have no trade value to other resort owners. Certainly this would depend on how long the resort would be down and other factors.

If the resort is damaged beyond repair, any insurance settlement should be distributed to the "owners" based on their percentage of ownership, and their other membership "rights" to trades etc would be terminated.

 

[Snowgod]

Terrserver photo

 

[canda]

A friend who is an hotel architect, said that the underground parking at VB and at the beach house in HHI serves a purpose, more than giving a place to put your car. The footings of the building are deep into the ground. could be like 20 feet or more. Most of the building he said if he remembers right, (he is not an owner there) was made out of concrete and that it is pretty strong.

Now the windows, roof, and furniture is another matter, and they could all be underwater, but he thinks the structure will hold.


He did say not to hold him to that since he has never seen the plans or know who designed it, etc. etc.

 

[canda]

My friend just said that the beach cottages might be gone.

 

[Patty3]

Let's just all keep our fingers crossed that everything will stay safe and sound.

 

[lightningcoach]

Keep in mind this is a sloooowwww storm. 24 hours of hurricane force winds and rain. Most areas inland are still evacuating low lying levels due to expected rainfall. I can't remember if Andrew moved this slow, but it was as large. Hopefully damage will be minor-especially if the buildings have hurricane shutters.- but I saw some people who had their shutters peeled back like a can of tuna from Charley.

 

[WDWLVR]

Much as it scares me what might happen to our vacation home (we own some of our points at Vero), it scares me even more what this storm will do to residents primary homes. Here's hoping and praying that somehow the storm weakens. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all in the path of the storm.

 

[walter]

Building Codes not withstanding, a corporation affiliated with a company like Disney usually employs recognized licensed design professionals in their area of expertise. Based on the soils test results along with the resorts proximity to the ocean, I believe substantial care was taken in the design to insure their investment in case of a situation like this. When I visited the resort a couple of years ago, I asked the question about the great amount of glazing (glass) that was designed in the buildings. It was conveyed to me that the design included substantial hurricane resistant windows as well as the balance of the construction of the resort. Many of you are correct about coastal soil erosion that could create a problem with the resort's present proximity to the ocean. At the least, the pier and stairway to the beach would likely be "washed away" during the storm. The Eco system for turtles, etc. could also be destroyed.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I just read an update on a Florida site that has Frances coming ashore just south of Vero Beach on Sat. afternoon. Earlier today they were predicting a hit near Ft. Pierce to the south (although not that much further south). We were just at VB at the beginning of August. It is a beautiful resort - I sure hope its still there to enjoy after this weekend.

Frances to hit Vero Beach

 

[Pig Pen]

I'm a Vero Beach owner and am hoping beyond hope this storm fizzles out. Unfortunately, this storm is going to slow way down. Andrew and Charley were very fast-moving storms.

Frances is going to be a beast.

Stay safe down there!

 

[lsutigger2]

And remember, hurricanes paths are often unpredictable. Charley was predicted to go ashore at Tampa and didn't.

Keeping prayers going and pixie dust flowing that all are safe.

 

[kathleena]

Contrary to what someone else just posted, I read today that this storm is the same intensity as Andrew - but twice the size. Can't remember which article it was that I read.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

This storm is twice the size of Andrew and Charley (individually, not combined!). While yes, paths are unpredictable, hurricane force winds are extending 80 miles out from the eye. If the eye came ashore at West Palm Beach, Vero would still experience hurricane force winds.

Storm path projections

 

[rinkwide]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
...remember the last form you signed... It stated that there is a 1 in 4 chance the resort will be destroyed by a huricane, sometime in the next 26 years.

My question...how much can this building take?

If Disney is forced to admit, with relatively high probability, their resort could be destroyed by a hurricane then you can be sure that if the eye-wall of a class 4 or 5 hit the resort it would be a total loss.

To all in the path of this terrible storm, godspeed.