Customer story · Elbow Cay, Abacos, Bahamas
An oceanfront home
through Hurricane Dorian.
The installation, the storm, and the aftermath—told through original photographs and firsthand accounts from Sheri F., Joseph Flaherty, and Dawn Flaherty.
01 · Before Hurricane Dorian
A home designed around the ocean.
Sheri F.’s oceanfront home on Elbow Cay in the Abacos brought together an Atlantic view and the practical demands of coastal living. Builder Joseph Flaherty considered both property protection and design when selecting the folding door system.
Dawn Flaherty of Florida Coast Construction, Inc. described researching impact glass folding door and window systems for high end coastal projects. In an early email after Dorian, she identified this as the property for which she had ordered the Lanai folding doors.
These photographs show the openings before Hurricane Dorian, including the kitchen system on installation day and the library doors.
02 · During Hurricane Dorian
A Category 5 landfall.
A storm that slowed to a crawl.
On September 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian made landfall at Elbow Cay as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. It was the strongest known tropical system to strike the Bahamas. National Weather Service storm overview ↗
Dorian then crossed toward Grand Bahama. On September 2, the high-pressure ridge steering it westward collapsed, and the hurricane stalled just north of Grand Bahama for about a day. The eye’s prolonged stall occurred near Grand Bahama; Elbow Cay had already taken the initial Category 5 landfall.
At 3 p.m. EDT on September 2, the National Hurricane Center reported that Dorian was moving at just 1 mph. Its destructive eyewall continued to lash Grand Bahama, while residents in the Abacos were instructed to remain sheltered until conditions subsided later that day. Read the contemporaneous NHC update ↗
Dawn’s early email from the aftermath.
Before complete information and photographs were available, Dawn Flaherty shared the following email with Lanai Doors:
DAWN FLAHERTYGood morning,
The eye of Hurricane Dorian made land fall in Elbow Cay/Hope Town Abaco Bahamas. My brother rode out the storm in a home called Sheree's on the beach on Elbow Cay. This is the property that I had ordered your Lanai folding doors for.
After several days of constant effort to receive confirmation that my brother was safe, last night I received a message from him. "I am alive and well. The whole Island has been destroyed like an atomic bomb has gone off. Sheree's Way is one of just a few houses on the Island that is still livable".
I do not have complete confirmation at this time but from his message I feel confident to say, your Lanai folding door system held up to Hurricane Dorian's attack on the Abaco's for over 30 hours of 185 mph sustained winds and wind gust over 220 mph. That is better than any Product Approval that I have ever seen.
I will keep you posted once I have pictures and more information to share.
Sincerely,
FLORIDA COAST CONSTRUCTION, INC.
This email captures Dawn’s initial account while she was still awaiting complete confirmation. The duration, wind speeds, and product-approval comparison are her own statements, rather than measurements at the property or a product test. The official storm history above distinguishes the Elbow Cay landfall from the later stall near Grand Bahama.
03 · After Hurricane Dorian
The aftermath. The work of recovery.
The photographs document sand deposited around the home, the doors and windows after the storm, and later repairs to the surrounding walls. Immediate aftermath images and recovery photographs are labeled separately.
In their own words
Sheri F. · Homeowner
I knew I wanted the lanai door system in my kitchen the minute I saw the video. When building in the Bahamas directly in front of the Atlantic Ocean there are 2 things to consider. How can I view and enjoy the loveliness and how can I be protected when a Hurricane comes. My ocean front home in the Abacos experienced the wrath of the most powerful hurricane this September. Dorian blew at record speeds and life stood still immediately following. I am deeply saddened with the sight of destruction on my little island. I can now say that the Lanai door system has been put to the ultimate test and is still standing strong.SHERI F. · HOMEOWNER
Joseph Flaherty · Builder
As a builder I am more concerned about protecting my client’s property than the design aspect. With Lanai, neither had to be compromised. I stood at the window and watched coconut trees bend in half by the wind. I saw debris flying through the air hitting windows and doors at speeds exceeding 200 mph. I did my research and was impressed to find that Lanai DoorsTM DP-70 rated aluminum hurricane folding systems exceed Miami-Dade County, Florida. But to see that for myself, I will personally endorse this product until the end of time.JOSEPH FLAHERTY · BUILDER
Dawn Flaherty · Florida Coast Construction, Inc.
As a Design Build firm specializing in high end coastal projects, we are constantly looking for strong products that can withstand the harshest of environments, yet not compromising aesthetics. After extensive research on impact glass folding door and window systems, we feel that Lanai Doors has the best system on the market for this application. Now, after Hurricane Dorian, we know we made the right decision. Lanai Doors stood up to Hurricane Dorian, when many others failed!DAWN FLAHERTY · FLORIDA COAST CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Sheri’s and Joseph’s testimonials are reproduced in full as originally provided in November 2019. Dawn’s design-build testimonial is reproduced in full as supplied. Wind-speed and product-rating statements in the accounts reflect the contributors’ own reports. For a new project, review current product approvals, configuration, installation requirements, and exposure with the Lanai Doors team.
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