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During the 2024 hurricane season, the west coast of Florida experienced a record three devastating storms, sparking a renewed focus on preparedness at Ave Maria. The master planned development in Collier County experienced zero damage despite the extreme 2024 season and, as a result, is highlighting safety as a reason more residents choose the community.
With more than 5,000 homes built to date, Ave Maria has its own water treatment facility, all underground utilities, an on-site EMS and fire station facility and home construction that meets or exceeds all of the most recent Hurricane resistant codes.
Ave Maria’s Utility Company (AMUC) has onsite power generation equipment for the water plant, wastewater plant, as well as critical master sanitary pump stations. The utility company’s extensive storm-resistant equipment and protocols have proven resilient through many storms to date, including Hurricane Irma in 2017. Irma caused widespread damage and long-term power outages, gas and ice shortages, throughout the region while Ave Maria experienced no interruptions. Hurricane Ian in 2022, as well as the 2024 storms, again caused no issues in the community.
The location of Ave Maria results in lower insurance rates for homeowners, says Insurance Manager Charity Moser. “Florida residents are experiencing an unstable homeowner insurance marketplace with fewer carriers to choose from and double-digit rate increases,” she explained. “Communities like Ave Maria, however, are still desired by carriers for two primary reasons: location and age of the community. Ave Maria is located approximately 20 miles from the coastline and the entire community was built less than 20 years ago.”
At Ave Maria’s Maple Ridge neighborhood, built by CC Homes, no damage was reported in 2024 and residents reported feeling safe. According to Pulte Division President Josh Graeve, all homes in the Avalon Park neighborhood feature impact windows, steel reinforced concrete block wall construction and stormwater and drainage systems that protect against water intrusion. He said his clients who lived on the east or west coasts of Florida are now seeking to avoid the yearly storm fears.
“Ian and Milton predominately had an impact on coastal or low-lying areas, or areas that were built some time ago, or were built with a lower level of material,” Graeve said. “In Ave Maria, all the Pulte homes are built to a 160-mile-per-hour wind rating, and every home is built a foot or more above the base flood elevation as determined by FEMA and Collier County.”
Serf Sanchez, who moved from Miami, is no stranger to hurricanes, but feels safer living in Ave Maria. “Being from Miami originally, we have gone through many storms, so we are happy to be in a Florida community that is farther west and inland,” Sanchez said. “We feel safe.”
Sanchez said another huge benefit is the lower cost of insurance. Since homes are much less likely to be damaged by storms, flood insurance is not required, and regular insurance is cheaper.
“Many of us in this town are saving money with the cost of insurance,” he emphasized.
Peter and Judy Clouet also used to live near Miami and feared approaching hurricanes. Three years ago, they moved to Del Webb Naples in Ave Maria, where they feel safe from storms. This fall when Hurricane Milton was approaching and people all over Southwest Florida were evacuating and setting up sandbags, the Clouets simply took down their flag and some outdoor decorations, and they were ready for some rain and wind.
“We bought this place because it is 24 miles inland,” Peter said. “We just stay in the house and watch the wind blow. We have no fear at all.”
Ave Maria residents rarely lose power and if they do, it is quickly restored. “In areas that are inland like Ave Maria, underground facilities are ideal,” said Karen Ryan, public relations director for Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC). “Ave Maria is ideal because there is no storm surge.”
ABOUT AVE MARIA, FLORIDA
Ave Maria has been named a Top Selling Master Planned Community in the United States, 2015-2024 Community of the Year, the Top Selling Single-Family Home Community in Southwest Florida, a Blue Zones Certified Community, and its active adult community, Del Webb Naples, has been named a Top 20 Places to Retire. Located in southwest Florida, Ave Maria is a self-sustaining town including shopping and dining, employment opportunities, parks and recreation, and is zoned for all A-rated Collier County public schools. At its build out, the town will include up to 11,000 residences, and 1.8 million square feet of retail, office, and business park uses in its 5,000 acres. Ave Maria is located at the intersection of Oil Well and Camp Keais Roads in Eastern Collier County. For more information, please visit Ave Maria Website or call 239-352-3903.
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