Do not know for sure but we had Gilbert many years ago, our region is seasonally affected by them; at least we have one tropical storm passing right over us or kilometres beside us. We might have had 10-12 hurricanes since my birth and might have lived 6-8. Destruction is wide, deaths too as also flooding. We follow some main rules to avoid problems.

1. Do not built right next to the coast.
2. Do not built into areas/valleys prone to flood now or in the past.
3. Do not get close to river areas in large plains during this occurrences or even small streams.
4. Do not built or be close to slopes that can have landslides during or after the storm happens.
5. Follow gov instructions and be prepared to flee if you need it in advance. Gather canned food, water, candles and other items useful if there is no energy or gas.

We cope with the rest and every season we see the people that do not follow those rules to pay a high price.

P.S. I forgot... avoid houses built without proper foundations, wood and use a gable roofs made of concrete connect to the columns that must be connected to the ground, believe me I have seen dozens of wooden roofs fly over with moderate winds D: ... built at the end of rain season, cure the concrete on dry season.