Preparing for the next hurricane
Code Council experts available to discuss rebuilding after the storms

The news story often missed in the aftermath of a hurricane is how to rebuild safer and stronger.

• After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Florida adopted a statewide building code based on the I-Codes that succeeded in limiting damage during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons. A University of Florida study showed that homes built under the 2002 Florida Building Code sustained less damage than homes built before the codes went into effect.
• Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a federal inspection team found that damage was amplified by a lack of construction standards along the Gulf Coast. At the time of the hurricanes, none of the most severely affected states – Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama – had adopted statewide building codes – though Louisiana has since adopted the I-Codes.
• Studies show that if Louisiana had a code in place before Hurricane Katrina struck, the state could have saved more than $8 billion in property damage.

Funding for communities in need:

• Several states with coastal communities adopted stronger building safety codes following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. However, lives and property may still be at risk when people rebuild after recent storms if their same communities haven’t recruited, trained and deployed “First Preventers," building and fire safety officials who prevent harm by ensuring compliance with safety codes before disaster strikes. The Community Building Code Administration Grant Act (HR 4461/S 2458), bipartisan legislation endorsed by the International Code Council and leading insurance companies, would provide matching funds to under-served communities in greatest need of building safety officials. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives and currently awaits action in the Senate.
• The International Code Council recently developed new construction guidelines for hurricane prone areas and other high-wind regions. Council experts are available to discuss the Community Building Code Administration Grant Act; the Standard for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions (ICC-600); and ways to build back stronger to save lives, reduce injuries and better protect property.

Other story ideas:

• Every dollar invested in safer and stronger construction saves $4-7 in future losses, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Institute of Building Sciences.
• How to build safer to reduce property damage caused by hurricanes.
• New construction guidelines, the Standard for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions (ICC-600), will benefit areas where wind speeds can reach 150 miles per hour.
• How communities would benefit from the Community Building Code Administration Grant Act.
• Experts from the International Code Council will help assess storm damage to buildings as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Mitigation Assessment Team initiative.
• How impact-resistant glass, wall bracing, roof tie-downs and other hurricane resistance building techniques included in the International Building Code and International Residential Code can save lives and reduce property damage.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council.
To interview Code Council experts, contact Gretchen Hesbacher at 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233), ext. 6240 or email ghesbacher@iccsafe.org. Visit our hurricane safety web page: www.iccsafe.org/hurricane.