Title: Rapid Assessment of Damaged Homes in the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma,
Abstract: On September 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys and
caused significant damage. Informed by hydrodynamic storm surge and wave
modeling and post-storm satellite imagery, a rapid damage survey was soon
conducted for 1600+ residential buildings in Big Pine Key and Marathon. Damage
categorizations and statistical analysis reveal distinct factors governing
damage at these two locations. The distance from the coast is significant for
the damage in Big Pine Key, as severely damaged buildings were located near
narrow waterways connected to the ocean. Building type and size are critical in
Marathon, highlighted by the near-complete destruction of trailer communities
there. These observations raise issues of affordability and equity that need
consideration in damage recovery and rebuilding for resilience.