In the three years since Hurricane Katrina, some Gulf Coast states have taken much-needed steps to make communities safer. However, it is critical that people understand what has yet to be done – and what they need to do right now.

The Institute for Business & Home Safety, an independent research and communications organization funded by the property insurance industry, advises a two-track loss prevention approach: 1) making existing structures more durable; and, 2) implementing strong building codes for new construction.

“We need to talk about these things, not just when a storm is staring us in the face, and certainly not only after disaster strikes and another community is devastated,” said Julie Rochman, president/CEO of IBHS. “Why be resigned to picking up pieces over and over again instead of keeping the pieces in place to begin with? There is a new and better path to preserving homes and communities. It is time to move down that path in this country before it is too late.”

1) Strengthening Homes NOW

While homeowners cannot rebuild the structure of their house in a few days, there are some meaningful things that may give the home a fighting chance when a storm hits. IBHS recommends the following:

• Choose a method of windows and door protection (e.g., shutters or plywood). Obtain necessary materials and install anchors/hardware in advance of the storm. Most coastal-area home improvement stores now carry shutter kits and, even more importantly, they carry permanent anchors that can be pre-installed to secure shutters to the house. With anchors permanently in place, it takes less time to deploy protection when needed.
• If the home is located in a coastal surge inundation or special flood area, elevate appliances and furnishings where possible. Follow instructions from the electric company for shutting off power sources.
• Minimize water intrusion by caulking around windows and doors, sealing holes where cables and pipes enter and exit the home, and covering attic vents.
• Move all unsecured outdoor furniture, grills, and play equipment indoors. Trim tree limbs and make sure gutters are stable to minimize the chance that they will become flying debris.

2) Building Codes

“When appropriate wind resistance and flood elevation are originally built in to a structure, it can provide effective, passive protection for the people who live or work in that building,” notes Rochman, adding that the best building code systems are those that take regional and topographical information into account and are vigorously enforced. Best of all, she says, is “code-plus” construction. “People need to know that the state or local building code is the minimum level of protection allowed by law. Fortunately, there are builders who know how to, can, and want to build to an even higher safety standard. IBHS is proud to work with many of these builders along the Gulf Coast as part of our Fortified…for safer living® program.”

However, even if appropriate building codes were adopted this year in every hurricane-exposed area, they would only apply to new construction. Millions of existing homes and businesses remain vulnerable.

“An unfortunate fact in many areas just inland of the hurricane-prone coastline is that homes and businesses have not been built to resist the kinds of strong winds that can occur when a hurricane rips across the coast and pushes inland,” according to Tim Reinhold, IBHS chief engineer and senior vice president of research.

In recent years, some coastal communities have stepped up and adopted stronger building codes and standards. However, that frequently has not been extended far enough inland. Reinhold says that “Houston pops up as a prime example of this risky proposition. While the Texas Department of Insurance high-wind standards have been implemented with varying degrees of success in coastal communities, Houston-area homes and businesses have been built with little regard for hurricane winds. Mother Nature frequently misses those memos and a strong storm barreling toward the coast can bring high winds well inland.”

A recent survey of building sites in the Houston area by IBHS engineers found dramatic variations in the quality of construction of adjacent coastal properties and very poor construction in the Houston metropolitan area.

“We must get serious about spending the extra two percent to three percent it typically requires to properly connect the pieces of our houses together,” Reinhold stated. Rochman agreed, saying that “Louisiana stepped up and has adopted modern building codes throughout their state. Other states need to do the same. Until we do, widespread but preventable structural damage will continue whenever the winds approach or exceed hurricane force.”

Source: Institute for Business & Home Safety

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