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Hazard mitigation: Protecting your home

Use this information to determine what measures can be taken to make your home safer during wind and flooding events. To withstand the forces of wind and water associated with severe weather, there are five major considerations: elevation of the first floor; gabled roof braces; entry and garage door bracing; window protection and safe room identification.

Home elevation
To determine your home's elevation, whether it is in a flood prone area or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), you must contact your County or city planning or zoning department. New construction and reconstruction is required to be above the BFE. If damage to your home is more than 50 percent of its value, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will require it be rebuilt to current code and elevated above the BFE. The National Flood Insurance Program toll-free number is 1-800-427-9662.

Home entry
Entry and garage doors are a weak link in high winds and need additional bracing. (83 percent of wind entry into homes is through failed garage doors). Metal bracing is best, but wooden stiffeners of at least 2" X 6" running the full width of the door 18" apart will suffice. Entry doors should be braced top and bottom.

Garage doors
Because of their size and construction, garage doors are highly susceptible to wind damage. Some garage doors can be strengthened with retrofit kits.

Entry doors
Make certain your doors have at least three hinges and a dead bolt security lock with a bolt at least one inch. Anchor door frames securely to wall framing.

Patio doors
Sliding glass doors are more vulnerable to wind damage than most other doors.

Roof
If you are replacing your roof, take steps to ensure the new roof covering and the sheathing it attaches to will resist high winds.

Gables
Gabled roof ends should be braced by attaching the rafters at each end to the other trusses. The gabled end walls should be braced as well ( see diagram). Most homes have internal truss bracing, but you should check and add bracing as appropriate.

Connections
The points where the roof and the foundation meet the walls of your house are extremely important if your home is to resist high winds and the pressures they place on the entire structure. Hurricane straps are designed to help hold your roof to the walls.

Windows
Protecting your windows is the single most important factor in providing a secure home during high winds. The exterior walls, doors, and windows are the protective shell of your home. You can protect your home by strengthening the doors and windows.

If you are replacing your existing windows, install impact-resistant window systems, which have a much better chance of surviving a major windstorm.

The glass in any structure is its weakest part. Protection levels include protective films, plywood panels, storm shutters, accordion doors, Bahama-style shutters and aluminum awnings. Elaborate motorized "roll-down" shutter systems are available. No matter what you choose, keeping the wind from penetrating your home is the only way to minimize damage and loss. Additionally, never stay in a room which does not have shielded windows/glass doors.

Safe room
Identify a safe room in your home that will afford maximum protection for your family. This is usually an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows or exterior walls that can provide a second level of protection from airborne debris. In a multiple story home, the area beneath a stairwell is a good safe room though usually somewhat small. Closets, bathroom and utility rooms are other options. Store your disaster supplies and emergency items that will provide for your family during a disaster in the safe room.

For more information on protecting  your home, contact the Florida Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) or its bilingual home safety hotline, 1-877-221-SAFE.

Taking refuge in such spaces lets the outer rooms buffer you from the storm should flying debris penetrate the outer walls.

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