Why Old Mobile Homes Are Vulnerable to Extreme Weather

Mobile homes are often among the most vulnerable to the harshest impacts of extreme weather events, such as floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and heat waves. However, when installed properly, modern manufactured homes can be just as resilient as traditional site-built houses. So why do mobile homes get hit so hard, and what can be done to change that?

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The Problem: Location and Legacy Construction

Many mobile home communities are situated on less expensive and less desirable land areas because they are more prone to flooding, fires, and storms. This isn’t just by chance. Zoning restrictions often push manufactured housing to the outskirts or lower elevations.

Additionally, homes built before 1976 aren’t subject to modern federal construction standards. These older models may lack secure anchoring, weather-resistant materials, or flood-prevention measures, making them especially vulnerable in extreme conditions.

Stronger Standards for Today’s Homes

The good news? Manufactured homes built under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) code—especially those built in recent years—have come a long way.

Modern models are engineered to withstand highway transport, which means they’re built to endure strong crosswinds. Anchoring, however, is key to surviving natural disasters.

Proper installation, third-party inspections, and ongoing maintenance (like checking the foundation system) are all critical parts of the equation.

Flooding Solutions

Flooding can cause catastrophic damage, especially when homes aren’t properly elevated. After severe flooding in North Carolina, the nonprofit CORE helped rebuild manufactured homes in a flood-prone area, but with changes.

They elevated homes based on FEMA flood maps, raised HVAC systems and water heaters, and insulated underneath to protect air ducts and pipes.

These strategies help minimize water damage and increase the likelihood of a home remaining habitable after a storm.

Wind Solutions

High winds can tear apart anything not firmly attached to the ground. That’s why wind-prone areas require strong anchoring systems and better roofing.

Metal roofs, for example, tend to hold up better than shingles during hurricanes and windstorms. Older homes can often be retrofitted with improved anchoring systems to enhance stability.

Wildfire Solutions

In fire-prone regions, homes built to Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) standards are designed with flame-resistant materials and sealed building envelopes to prevent embers from entering.

Maintaining a defensible space, such as keeping dead vegetation and flammable debris away from the home, is equally important.

Heat and Cold Solutions

Older mobile homes often struggle to regulate indoor temperatures, making extreme heat or cold dangerous and expensive.

Modern manufactured homes have better insulation, tighter building envelopes, and more efficient HVAC systems. These upgrades not only reduce energy bills but also improve safety during extreme weather events.

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Looking Ahead

Experts agree that the most vulnerable homes are often in the wrong places. Better land-use policies, updated zoning, and expanded access to higher ground can help protect residents.

While building standards are improving, location still matters. A well-built, anchored, and elevated home can only do so much in the path of a 30-foot flood surge.