05-09-2009, 05:39 AM
Most places in the tropics where hurricanes are a persistent problem traditional structures are often have large planted stands of timber bamboo to shelter the house in such conditions. Here locally the "hirose" type would be a good choice and will get to 60 or so feet. The idea is that the bamboo blows over on the house and literally buries it. Since inland the major risk isn't having a house blown down but the roof destroyed and then the house filled with 20 inches of rain--the bamboo buffer trick is about as good as any, save welding up a plate steel roof, I guess.