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Preparing Homes For Hurricane Season

The Institute for Business and Home Safety, a consumer safety group formed by the nation's insurance companies, has issued a report warning that most Americans living in coastal areas are not ready for hurricane season, and that this years season is expected to be worse than normal.

According to the Boston-based IBHS, some 58 percent of homeowners along the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts say they are unprepared for hurricane season, which begins June 1. Another 76 percent of residents along the Mid-Atlantic and New England coast say they would not be ready if a hurricane were to strike.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) already is predicting 11 or more tropical storms will form in the warm waters of the central Atlantic this year and more than seven of them could strengthen into hurricanes.

Storms with sustained winds in excess of 75 mph are classified hurricanes. Some hurricane wind gusts have been clocked above 200 miles an hour.

Major hurricanes that strike populated areas of the coasts have been known to leave in excess of $1 billion worth of damage. IBHS President Harvey Ryland, however, maintains much of the damage can be avoided. "We can cut down on the devastation dramatically by taking simple steps ahead of time."

"The more precautions you take, the better chance your home has of surviving the next hurricane."

The IBHS recommends that homeowners consider the following safety precautions:

  • Upgrade current window systems to impact-resistant windows or shutters. Impact-resistant shutters that close over window openings prevent flying debris from breaking window panes. If high winds threaten immediately, an easy, temporary and effective step is to cover windows with securely fastened plywood storm shutters (minimum of 7/16-inch). Be sure to cover all doors that have glass, too.

  • Brace garage doors to make them stiffer and more resistant to wind. Re-enforcing kits may be purchased at home-supply stores.

  • Reinforce double-entry doors with heavy duty foot and head bolts, and use a security dead bolt lock with 1-inch minimum bolt throw length.

  • Glue roof sheathing to the rafters or truss if access to the attic is possible. (When reroofing, use extra 8d -- 8 penny -- nails or #8 screws.)

  • Brace gable end walls.

  • Trim trees, shrubbery, climbing roses and vines. Cut weak branches and trees that could fall or bump against the house. When trimming, try to create a channel through the foliage to the center of the tree to allow for airflow.

    The Institute is an initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters. Members include insurers and reinsurers that conduct business in the United States or reinsure risks located in the United States.

  • Published: May 15, 2000

    Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.







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