Photos show some houses survived Hurricanes Helene and Milton while their neighbors crumbled. Homeowners can learn from them.

• Photos from Hurricanes Helene and Milton show some homes standing despite destruction next door.
• Garage doors, windows, and roofs can make or break a house being battered by powerful winds.
• A few key upgrades and DIY projects can save a home from hurricane winds and tornadoes.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton have carved trails of devastation through the US Southeast.

But photos show some homes are still standing in rubble-strewn neighborhoods, and there are lessons to learn from them.