Why this Florida Neighborhood Still Has Power

Courtesy of Fast Company

In the wake of Hurricane Milton, more than 3 million people in Florida lost power. But in a recently built neighborhood in the small town of Cortez, as soon as the storm took out the grid, batteries switched on to power lights, fridges, and other essentials.

The same thing happened two weeks ago, when flooding from Hurricane Helene took out the grid. Though the development, called Hunters Point, is only two years old, it’s already been through four major hurricanes.

Its homes were designed to survive hurricanes, with an elevation high enough to avoid severe flooding, and construction choices that make them as sturdy as possible in high winds. And when the power goes out, each home turns to its own solar panels and battery system.

When Milton barreled toward Florida on Wednesday night, it aimed directly at Cortez. The storm made landfall only 25 miles away, with winds gusting at 120 mph. Power outages quickly spread. At Hunters Point, the power went out around 9 p.m. But almost instantly, each home’s batteries took over.

Read full article here: Why this Florida neighborhood still has power - Fast Company