Mississippi Bay St. Louis storm chaser hurricane resistant home

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The first thing that comes to mind when hurricane season is here is how to protect your family and home from a storm.

Louisiana is all too familiar with how destructive a storm can be.

WDSU Chief Meteorologist Margaret Orr spoke with a storm chaser who is building a hurricane-resistant home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Josh Morgerman loves the thrill of the chase. He also loves Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Morgerman admits that what he does is dangerous, but his work contributes to science.

Bay St. Louis is the site of two major hurricanes in history, and the area calls to him.

That is why he chose to build his home on the slab of a former house that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

"This is Hurricane Country. It's like my spiritual chaser dude home," Morgerman said.

Beau Ladner of Paramount Contracting is Morgerman's building.

Ladner is using a tie-down system to hold the house together. There are titan bolts that bolt the house to the slab.

The house also features hurricane straps that tie the top plate to the wall. Rafter clips are in place to tie the roof to the walls.

New Horizons Roofing plans to put a standing seam metal roof on the home.

The home is at an elevation of 19 feet and is raised four feet.

Morgerman's driveway is the only remains of the home that stood there before it was washed away by Hurricane Katrina.

Although not much can be done in the way of storm surge, Morgerman doesn't seem to mind the risk.

"Maybe the slight risk adds some fire to the experience. It's kind of like living of the edge thing," Morgerman said." I can't help myself."