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Key Facts, Common Myths About Protecting Homes from Hurricanes
With weather forecasters calling for a worse-than-average 2010 Atlantic basin hurricane season, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is advising property owners on the most effective ways to protect their homes and businesses from hurricane damage.
IBHS is also trying to dispel some common myths about hurricane preparedness.
Forecasters predict 15 named storms to form in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and November 30, with eight expected to be hurricanes and four developing into major hurricanes (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater. The prediction is based on the premise that El Nino conditions will dissipate by this summer and that anomalously warm tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures will persist.
IBHS is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. Here’s what IBHS wants property owners to know:
Facts:
1. A new, well-installed roof is one of the best forms of protection available
If your shingle roof cover needs to be replaced, do it now, while there is still enough time for the shingles to heat up and seal properly before a storm threatens. Be sure to remove older material down to the roof sheathing and have the deck re-nailed. Spend a little extra to provide a secondary water barrier (in some areas, insurance discount may be available if you re-nail and/or install an approved secondary water barrier so check with your insurance company) and have a high wind-rated roof cover installed. IBHS has detailed guidance available to help you specify a quality installation.
