IBHS Urges Residents to be Prepared, Despite Quiet Hurricane Season Prediction
TAMPA – April 9, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Colorado State University today released its 2015 Atlantic hurricane season prediction for below-average hurricane activity, forecasting seven named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane. While this is good news, theInsurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) reminds residents it only takes one storm to devastate a community, a state or an entire region.
“IBHS hopes no hurricanes or tropical storms will make landfall in the U.S. this year, but we must do more than hope, we must prepare,” said Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO.
“Experience shows that punishing hurricanes still occur during below-average seasons. Hurricane Andrew, which is the second most costly hurricane in U.S. history, and the first storm in 1992, devastated South Florida during a relatively quiet season,” continued Rochman.
IBHS urges residents to be prepared, and to start their hurricane home and business protection efforts now. Three important areas to focus on to protect your property against the high winds and wind-driven rain from hurricanes are your building’s roof, openings (windows and doors), and outdoor surroundings.
Recommended Property Protection Actions
1) Strengthen Your Roof
The roof is a building’s first line of defense against Mother Nature, making it the most important and most vulnerable point on a home or commercial building. Roof cover damage occurs in the vast majority of wind-related claims, and a damaged roof can allow wind and rain to enter your building resulting in even more damage. Detailed recommendations on how to strengthen your roof is available on IBHS’ website.
2) Protect Your Building’s Windows and Doors
Protect all windows and doors from high winds and flying debris. Failure of a large window or door can result in pressurization inside the building, and potential damage. Attention should be given to all windows, entry doors, sliding glass doors, and garage doors. Guidelines on how to protect doors and windows is available on IBHS’ website.
3) Prepare Your Surroundings
Limit possible sources of wind-borne debris by surveying your building’s surroundings before a storm and trimming overhanging trees and removing anything that could potentially be picked up by high winds; keep in mind that even seemingly heavy objects can become flying missiles during strong hurricanes. Visit IBHS’ website for more specific recommendations on preparing your property.
Additional hurricane property protection information is available on IBHS’ hurricane resources page.
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About the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparedness practices.
Media Contact: Stacy Williams, APR, IBHS, at Phone: (813) 675-1045 (Office) or Email:
