By Tim Jimenez

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Sandy is expected to hit the shore hard. But one shore builder says newer homes can withstand the punishment.

Greg Pouliot builds homes on Long Beach Island and says those constructed now or in recent years are better prepared to take hurricane force winds and rain.

“We have tie-downs which go from our pilings straight all the way through our roof so that the entire structure is held together and that’s great because if we get tremendous wind, you’re always worried about the structure lifting.”

He says the siding, roofing and windows are also tougher than 10-15 years ago. Less need, he says,
for people to go to the shore to board up windows and doors which he sees owners of older homes doing. But he says, there’s preparing for a hurricane and actually experiencing a direct hit from Mother Nature.

“No matter how well we build, if you get a direct hit from a hurricane, you’re in trouble, there’s no doubt about it.”