TL;DR
Babcock Ranch is undefeated against severe weather like Hurricane Ian and Milton that devastated other Florida communities and parts of the country. This blog details the sustainable design elements that have allowed the first solar-powered community in the nation to persevere in an age of mounting climate disaster.
Legacy gray-haired media like 60 Minutes and The New York Times are slobbering about it.
Babcock Ranch is #Undefeated.
Undefeated against Disney Villain Weather that has clobbered other parts of the country.
Not Today, Ian
Our first opponent was Hurricane Ian who hit Southwest Florida south of Punta Gorda on September 8, 2022.
Ian was a beastly Category 5 hurricane with 155 wind speeds and an 18-foot storm surge. It was the deadliest hurricane to hit the Sunshine State since 1935.
For The Ranch, Ian was basically a direct hit.
Devastation?
The community suffered minor damage like missing roof shingles and fallen trees, as seen above.
Hold My Beer, Milton
Opponent #2 was Hurricane Milton which rolled into Siesta Key north of Babcock on October 9, 2024, as the second-most intense Atlantic hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico.
Unlike other parts of Florida and the country, Babcock was spared with, again, minor damage.
What Is the Source of Power in Your Infinity Stones, Babcock?
Babcock Ranch does not have special mutant power like Thanos to triumph over cataclysmic weather.
The story behind Babcock’s resiliency is good ol’ smart engineering and design.
No Rubber Duckies Needed
When the wind and then the rains come, you won’t be rafting down the streets if you live in Babcock Ranch.
First, the pioneering development sits 25-30 feet above sea level, specifically engineered to withstand severe storm surges and flooding.
The community’s comprehensive stormwater management system incorporates man-made wetlands, multiple storage basins and cutting-edge Smart Stormwater Technology.
This innovative system monitors weather forecasts and automatically adjusts pond levels before storms, while rain gardens channel water through a natural-mimicking network that flows from gardens to lakes and finally to wetlands.
These Walls Don’t Crumble
Babcock homes are designed to withstand punishing wind.
Every structure in The Ranch is built to withstand winds up to 160 mph, exceeding standard hurricane protection requirements.
The community has become a refuge for surrounding areas when hurricanes hit.
For example, the Babcock schools feature a massive 75,000-square-foot field house/storm shelter capable of protecting 2,500 evacuees.
During storms, you can escape the hysterical news coverage and play Wordle on your phone. Utilities are secured underground to prevent power outages during and after severe weather events.
During Ian and Milton, Babcock always maintained power, one-gigabyte internet service and low Wordle scores (at least for this author).
The Design Is Dynamite
The development’s environmental design incorporates native plants specifically chosen to withstand Southwest Florida’s challenging weather patterns.
These indigenous species serve multiple purposes, reducing storm runoff, improving water quality and requiring minimal maintenance while helping to prevent flooding.
Another leg of Babcock’s resilient stool is the solar power infrastructure, which includes two solar energy centers and a battery storage system spread across 870 acres.
This system provides sustainable power and ensures the community maintains electricity and internet when the weather gets nasty.
Green Is Good
Every home in The Ranch is constructed to Florida Green Building Coalition specifications.
Each residence is positioned with its finished floor at least one foot above the 100-year flood level, while permeable pavements throughout the community aid in water management.
Woke Weather Virus?
Despite cynical politicians posturing, severe weather caused by carbon emissions is not a symptom of the woke mind virus but an increasingly devastating reality for people here in Florida and all over the globe.
Farmers in the western United States face droughts while mothers in North Carolina are getting nervous.
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The above Reel is from Extreme Weather Survivors, an advocacy group co-founded by Christopher Kocher after he was barricaded in his Queens apartment for days by Hurricane Ida’s lashing rains in 2021.
Kocher believes Babcock Ranch is at the forefront of extreme weather resilience. “I think you guys are a perfect example of clean energy done right,” he said.
They Built It, So Keep Coming
Talk of extreme weather and climate change can quickly become more of a bummer than this author’s abysmally low Wordle scores.
Come to The Ranch on a Food Truck Friday. Grab an adult beverage and play cornhole while the kids play.
You can temporarily forget about hurricanes and other gnarlies.
While in town, look up Team John Garuti who can help you buy a new construction home or resale.
- Let’s talk Babcock.
- Let’s tour Babcock.
- Ask questions in our free Moving to Babcock Ranch Facebook Group.
