Building Back Stronger: How Hurricane Sandy-Proof Masonry is Transforming Long Beach NY’s Resilience in 2025
More than a decade after Hurricane Sandy devastated coastal communities across New York, Long Beach stands as a testament to the power of disaster-resistant construction. Infrastructure is instrumental to the City’s mission to rebuild Long Beach in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. By keeping resiliency and sustainability in mind during the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure projects the City and its residents will be better protected during from future storms. Today’s masonry construction standards are revolutionizing how we build for the future, creating structures that can withstand nature’s most powerful forces.
The Evolution of Post-Sandy Building Standards
The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy brought unprecedented changes to construction codes and masonry standards throughout New York State. The MAT identified 47 recommended actions related to building codes and standards; to date, 28 of those post-Sandy building code updates have been partially or fully enacted, consistent with MAT report recommendations. These improvements have fundamentally transformed how masonry contractors approach coastal construction projects.
Newer buildings using engineered materials like steel, concrete, and reinforced masonry have an increased capability to resist significant environmental events, if they were designed to meet the more modern standards — particularly those contained in the Building Code of 1968 or more recent iterations. The 2025 Building Code of New York State incorporates these lessons learned, with specific provisions for buildings of different types, including unreinforced masonry buildings, reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry wall buildings that enhance their disaster resistance.
Key Masonry Resilience Features for Coastal Areas
Modern disaster-resistant masonry construction incorporates several critical features that make structures more resilient to hurricane-force winds and flooding. Since the proper design and bracing of wood gable ends above masonry walls seems to be misunderstood by many in the residential marketplace, gable ends of masonry walls are simply prescriptively required to be full height. The common practice of stopping the masonry wall at the low eave height and filling the gable with wood framing and nominal bracing is prohibited.
Enhanced anchoring systems are now mandatory, with foundation plates or sills shall be bolted to the foundation or foundation wall with not less than one-half inch nominal diameter steel bolts embedded at least seven inches into the concrete or masonry and spaced not more than six feet apart. These improvements ensure that masonry structures can better withstand the lateral forces generated by hurricane-strength winds.
Long Beach’s Reconstruction Success Story
Community Reconstruction Plans led to $650 million of targeted investments in critical infrastructure, floodproofing, shoreline restoration, disaster response capacity building, and other initiatives. With more than 200 completed and dozens more projects anticipated to be completed by 2025, communities continue to be better prepared to withstand the impacts of rising sea levels and more frequent and powerful storms.
The city’s commitment to resilient reconstruction is evident in projects like the boardwalk restoration, where protecting the boardwalk against future storm damage also was a concern, so several resiliency features were incorporated into the new design. These same principles are being applied to residential and commercial masonry projects throughout the area.
Choosing the Right Masonry Contractor
For Long Beach residents seeking to rebuild or improve their properties with disaster-resistant masonry, selecting an experienced contractor is crucial. When searching for a qualified masonry contractor long beach, homeowners should look for companies that understand both traditional craftsmanship and modern resilience standards.
Based in Long Island, we specialize in a range of construction and landscaping services, including high-quality masonry, comprehensive landscape design, and customized hardscaping solutions. With over 20 years in the industry, our deep knowledge and skills are unmatched. We use only the best materials that ensure longevity and aesthetic value. DLZ Construction and Landscaping Inc. represents the type of experienced contractor who combines time-tested techniques with modern disaster-resistant practices.
Material Selection for Hurricane Resistance
The choice of materials plays a critical role in creating hurricane-resistant masonry structures. DLZ Construction and Landscaping Inc. is a locally owned masonry company serving Suffolk County with a dedication to artistry and craftsmanship. We use high-quality materials like durable porcelain tiles, classic red bricks, and locally sourced natural stone to bring your vision to life. These materials, when properly installed according to current building codes, provide superior resistance to wind and water damage.
Modern masonry construction also benefits from improved mortar formulations and reinforcement techniques. Masonry structures and components shall comply with the requirements in Chapter 7 of TMS 402 depending on the structure’s seismic design category as determined in Section 1613 of this code. All masonry walls, unless isolated on three edges from in-plane motion of the basic structural systems, shall be considered to be part of the seismic-force-resisting system.
The Future of Resilient Construction
As climate change continues to intensify storm patterns, the importance of disaster-resistant construction will only grow. As New York City observes the ten-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in Florida and Puerto Rico and the deadly floods in Pakistan serve as a cruel but important reminder to address our slow progress on resiliency infrastructure. We must find ways both to improve the delivery of climate resiliency projects (and capital projects in general), and to update the city’s long-term resiliency plans.
Long Beach’s transformation since Hurricane Sandy demonstrates that with proper planning, quality materials, and skilled craftsmanship, communities can rebuild stronger than before. Choosing DLZ Construction and Landscaping Inc. means opting for quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. We prioritize your needs and visions, providing personalized service and open communication throughout the project. This customer-centric approach, combined with expertise in disaster-resistant construction techniques, ensures that today’s masonry projects will stand strong against tomorrow’s storms.
The lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy continue to shape construction practices in 2025, creating a legacy of resilience that protects families and preserves property values for generations to come. By investing in hurricane-proof masonry construction today, Long Beach residents are not just rebuilding—they’re building a more secure future.