May 26 2005
More than half of Florida homeowners participating in a recent statewide survey have taken action to protect their homes from hurricanes. An even larger number recognizes the importance of the state's building codes in reducing property losses from these events, and many think the codes should be even stronger.
The survey, conducted on behalf of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and sponsored by State Farm Insurance (R), an IBHS member, found 53 percent of participating homeowners have taken steps to better protect their property from damage due to hurricanes. When asked about preventing and reducing hurricane damage, 72 percent of the homeowners said they were "very" or "moderately" concerned about the threat of such damage.
Only 11 percent were not concerned at all.
When asked about the state's building code, 83 percent of respondents recognized that Florida building codes were very important in reducing hurricane damage, and 40 percent believed they were not strong enough.
"The 2004 hurricane season presented strong evidence that homes constructed under modern building codes are much less vulnerable, but not immune to damage from wind," said Kurt Gurley, associate professor in the University of Florida's Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering. "And the Building Commission is moving swiftly to shore up the weak points that last season's hurricanes revealed. Public support for continued improvements to the code helps move that process along."
Said IBHS President & CEO Harvey Ryland, "We're pleased to see lessons learned from last year's hurricane season have not been lost, and that a significant number of Florida homeowners have taken action to better protect their properties from these terrible events. But, clearly, many homeowners still need to get started. And with the 2005 hurricane season only days away, there's no better time than right now."
IBHS says protecting a home's doors and windows should be a top priority. The organization recommends homeowners install permanent anchors for panels, shutters or some other appropriate material now. That way, when storms threaten, these openings can be protected quickly and easily. This recommendation is underscored by findings of IBHS engineers who assessed damage after last year's storms. For example, when local gust wind speeds from Hurricane Charley ranged between 112-134 miles per hour, one third of buildings without window protection suffered at least one broken window, allowing wind to enter. The increased internal pressure that results can double the loads on structural connections and greatly increase the risk of damage.
According to Dr. Timothy Reinhold, IBHS vice president of engineering, "Nearly every case I have witnessed where an entire roof was blown off a house also involved failure of a window on the windward face of the building."
The telephone survey, conducted March-April of 2005 by Lawrence Research, a national research firm, polled 800 Florida homeowners. The sample comprised single-family homeowners, one-quarter in coastal zip codes and the remainder inland. Those who filed a homeowners insurance claim in 2004 and residents of rental units, mobile homes and condominiums were not included in the study.
For 99 percent of the respondents, their Florida home is their primary residence. For more information on the survey's findings and residential hurricane protection resources, visit the IBHS web site, http://www.disastersafety.org.
For a free copy of the IBHS brochure, "Keep Wind and Water Out: A Guide to High Wind Protection," call toll free 1-866-657-4247 or write [email protected] . IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.