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Hurricanes and resulting floods are among the most costly natural disasters impacting metropolitan areas (Source: U.S. Coast Guard)

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Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Michael in Florida: Building Performance Observations Recommendations and Technical Guidance, FEMA P-2077

Reference

FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team Report describing damages from Hurricane Michael in Florida in Oct. 2018 and recommendations for future hurricane preparedness.

Failure of a garage door due to pressure differences under hurricane force wind conditions resulting in damage to the house.

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This gasoline tank collapsed due to pressure from flood waters during Hurricane Katrina, 2005, Biloxi, MS.

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Wrong – This house was built on a shallow foundation instead of piers; the foundation was undermined by erosion from Hurricane Irma (Vilano Beach, FL)

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Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Mitigation Assessment Team Report, Building Performance Observations Recommendations and Technical Guidance, FEMA 549

Reference

Guide discussing observations, recommendations, and technical guidance as a result of Hurricane Katrina

When the soffits blew away in 140 to 160 mph hurricane winds, wind-driven rain was allowed to enter the attic.

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Failure at a gable end of a home under hurricane force wind conditions due to improper continuous load path design.

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2018 Rating the States - An Assessment of Residential Building Code and Enforcement Systems for Life Safety and Property Protection in Hurricane-Prone Regions

Reference

Report assessing and scoring code enforcement and administration and contractor licensing in the 18 states most vulnerable to catastrophic hurricanes along the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

Wrong - Framing a dormer using only toe nailing and end nailing is not acceptable in areas subjected to high winds, hurricanes, or earthquakes.

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Hurricane force winds that breach external windows and doors can then cause failure of the entire building due to internal pressures on walls and roof.

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A gable end failure due to improper bracing caused collapse of most of the trusses on this roof under hurricane force wind conditions.

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The 3/8-inch gap under the door allowed wind-driven rain to enter the house in hurricane winds of 140 to 160 mph.

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Reinforced concrete and rigid foam ICF walls can withstand disaster risks such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and pests.

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Failure of extruded concrete flat tile roofing due to bond failure between tile, mortar, and underlayment resulting from hurricane force winds.

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Continuous load path failure due to improper connections between the roof decking and roof framing resulting from hurricane force winds.

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This home was hit by wind-borne debris including asphalt shingles blown off neighboring homes, in 140 to 150 mph hurricane winds.

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Continuous load path failure due to improper connections between a home and its foundation allowed this building to be overturned in hurricane force winds.

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In areas prone to high winds and hurricanes, double vertical “jack trim” and horizontal “header” and “sill” studs are recommended on all sides of window and door openings.

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Right – Mold- and termite-resistant borate-treated lumber are used to make the panels of this kit home which are connected with metal strapping for hurricane and wind resistance.

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DOE ZERH HIA 2022 Case Study Poster: Scott Norman and WATERSHED, First ZERH + Fortified Hurricane Home, Fairhope, AL

Case Study

Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2022 Housing Innovation Award winning custom-for-buyer home in the hot-humid climate that used 2x6 and 2x4, 16-in. o.c. R-24 walls, an R-38 spray-foamed attic, and high-SEER heat pump to achieve a HERS score of 49 without PV.