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The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is the country's leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters.

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The Latest in Disaster Resilience

Taking Hurricane Awareness on Tour

FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson, along with Executive Vice President Eric Vaughn, joined the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircrew on their WC-130J Super Hercules, as well as a team of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hurricane experts, to promote the #HurricaneStrong campaign.

The tour, which coincides with National Hurricane Preparedness Week, stopped in Portland, Maine; Albany, New York; Norfolk, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; and Sanford, Florida.

At each stop, more than 400 schoolchildren and visitors had the unique opportunity to tour the NOAA’s WP-3D Orion and the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft. These tours provided the public with insights into how real-time data is collected within hurricanes, enhancing the public’s understanding of hurricane science.

Attendees also interacted with NOAA hurricane experts and specialists who discussed the importance of hurricane preparedness and resilience. The event emphasized the need for individuals in hurricane-prone areas to understand the risks of storm surge, inland flooding, and high winds.

FLASH Legacy Partners, Lowe’s, State Farm, and USAA joined the tour and contributed educational materials, giveaways, and essential hurricane preparedness information. All three partners also participated in the expo following the event.

This annual tour is part of NOAA’s broader effort to promote a Weather-Ready Nation, aiming to educate communities about the risks associated with hurricanes and the necessary steps to mitigate those risks.

Is America #HurricaneStrong? – 2024 Topline

Consumer Findings Report Now Available

Now in its fourth year, the 2024 Is America #HurricaneStrong? survey results are now available at HurricaneStrong.org. The annual effort sampled respondents in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia to explore consumer actions, attitudes, and understanding related to building codes, hurricane preparedness, insurance, safety measures, wind retrofits, and more. This survey provides valuable insights into how prepared Americans are for hurricane season with demonstrable year-over-year trends and indicates opportunities to target educational messaging and resources. FLASH leverages the findings to ensure the #HurricaneStrong campaign messaging fulfills consumer informational needs with motivational content and accurate, affordable, and actionable recommendations.

Survey Findings:

One finding from this year’s survey is an increase in the number of individuals willing to spend more money to prepare for hurricane season compared to last year’s season. The $100-$500 spending bracket increased by one percentage point (3% increase), the $500-$1000 bracket increased by two percentage points (10% increase), and the more than $1000 bracket increased by five percentage points (56% increase) over 2023.

In another insight, respondents identified the top two preparedness actions they are willing to take—building or replenishing disaster supply kits and identifying evacuation zones.

This year's new survey topic focused on the recent National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) correlation analysis regarding garage door performance in high winds. The NIST analysis of approximately 3,000 homes affected by the 2011 Joplin tornado revealed that homes with intact garage doors also had undamaged roofs and adjacent walls. The correlation analysis remained effective in windspeeds up to 135 mph, validating longstanding anecdotal field observations that strong, reinforced garage doors can serve a vital and protective role in severe winds.

Unsurprisingly, the #HurricaneStrong survey findings showed that respondents were mainly unaware of the correlation between strong garage doors and undamaged roofs and walls. Sixty percent did not know that a strong, reinforced garage door would help protect their roof, even at lower windspeeds of 110 mph (Category 2 hurricane). The findings indicated an opportunity for targeted messaging to help homeowners understand the efficacy, value, and affordability of bracing and strengthening their garage doors to help prevent costly and often catastrophic roof and wall failure.

In response, FLASH focused the 2024 #HurricaneStrong seasonal messaging campaign with the hashtag #GarageDoorsin2024 to spotlight the case for garage door focus along with the many affordable, achievable mitigation solutions. Prominent national outlets such as the Associated Press, FOX News, FOX Weather, The Weather Channel, US News and World Report, Yahoo News, and more have featured and continue to share the information, ensuring that millions of homeowners learn how to protect their homes.

Learn more about the survey and the #HurricaneStrong assets and information at HurricaneStrong.org.

Key Strategies for Mitigating Climate Risks and Enhancing Community Preparedness at the Mississippi Extreme Wind Event

On May 21, 2024, Mississippi state leaders came together to discuss preparations for the upcoming hurricane season at the Mississippi Extreme Wind Conference.

During the Mitigating Climate Risks and Enhancing Community Preparedness session, FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson presented three cost-effective methods for homeowners to protect their properties, including reinforcing garage doors. Leslie also introduced the Resilience Policy Resource Guide and Retrofitting Program Playbook to aid in disaster preparedness.

Hosted by the Mississippi Insurance Department, the event also welcomed industry representatives, national modeling experts, and insurance commission representatives from several states, including South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. The event offered numerous opportunities for participants to gain valuable insights into extreme weather phenomena, learn critical leadership steps for community recovery following severe weather events, understand the collaborative roles and responsibilities of private and government response teams, and discover essential tools and technologies used in post-disaster recovery efforts.

ICC and FLASH Partner on Leadership Week Panel

on Resilience and the Insurance Marketplace

During the International Code Council’s (ICC) Leadership Week in April, FLASH partnered with the leading global source of model codes and standards to host a panel discussion on how model building codes, retrofitting programs, and a culture of disaster resilience can enhance the insurance marketplace.

Moderated by FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson, the panel discussed the role of strong building codes in mitigating disaster impacts, financial assistance – through retrofit grant matching programs – for upgrading existing structures to modern safety standards, and the need to educate the public on superior building practices, disaster survival, and more.

Attendees also received the 2024 Resilience Policy Resource Guide and Retrofitting Program Playbook, providing leaders with a comprehensive roadmap to champion resilience.

Panelists included:

Leslie Chapman-Henderson, President & CEO, Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)
Steven Fielder, Chief Business Officer, Florida Department of Financial Services
Edward Laatsch, Director, Planning, Safety & Building Science Division, FEMA
Dominic Sims, CEO, International Code Council

The event was an opportunity to gain valuable insights into disaster resilience, earn CEUs, and learn how building safety professionals can make a significant difference in their communities.

Save the Date: Upcoming QuakeSmart

Preparedness Workshops

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with FLASH and FEMA, will host a QuakeSmart Preparedness Workshop on October 15 in Memphis, Tennessee. Shortly after, the Charleston County Emergency Management Department, also in collaboration with FLASH and FEMA, will hold another workshop on October 17, 2024, concurrently with the Great ShakeOut, in Charleston, South Carolina. Tentative workshops are scheduled for St. Louis and Louisville. Stay tuned for dates and details.

These workshops will highlight the FEMA Ready Business - QuakeSmart protocols designed to save lives, reduce financial losses, mitigate damage, and facilitate quicker community recovery following seismic events.

What to Expect:

Participants will gain insights into business continuity planning and mitigation projects with easy, step-by-step instructions to reduce earthquake risk. This includes measures to protect employees, clients, customers, and the broader community.

Who Should Attend:

Business and building owners
Emergency and risk managers
Engineers
Homebuilders
Nonprofit organizations
Public officials
Policymakers

Important Information:

Workshops are FREE, but advance registration is requested. For more details, please contact info@flash.org.

Mark your calendars and join us to ensure your business and community are prepared for the next earthquake.

2024 National Disaster Resilience Conference

Registration Now Open

You are cordially invited to the 2024 National Disaster Resilience Conference (NDRC24), where the nation's foremost voices in the disaster safety and resilience movement will gather from November 20 - 22, 2024, in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

NDRC24 will feature keynote presentations, discussion panels, spotlight topics, and stories of resilience that will help create more resilient buildings and disaster-resilient communities in the face of earthquakes, floods, hail, hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, wildfires, and other natural hazards.

For more than two decades, design professionals, emergency managers, financial service experts, first responders, futurists, housing experts, insurers, journalists, meteorologists, product manufacturers, risk communicators, scientists, social psychologists, volunteers, and many others have come together to make this conference a must-attend event. We welcome your attendance and participation in November.

Click here to view a recap of the NDRC23 from panelist and FOX Weather meteorologist Amy Freeze.

Visit the National Disaster Resilience Conference website to book your room, register, or become a sponsor.

Previous NDRC events featured presentations from a range of organizations and businesses, including ABC News, Applied Technology Council, Disaster-Smart Consulting, Inc., FEMA, FLASH, FOX Weather, Global Protection Products, LLC, Huber Engineered Woods, IEM, Insurance Information Institute, International Code Council, ISO-Verisk Analytics, Lowe's, Mennonite Disaster Service, MIT, MyRadar, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, National Fire Protection Agency, National Hurricane Center, National Institute of Building Sciences, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Renew Financial, Simpson Strong-Tie, Southern California Earthquake Center, State Farm, The Weather Channel, Texas General Land Office, University of Florida, USAA, U.S. Resiliency Council, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Small Business Administration, Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc., and more.

How Do I Become a Sponsor?

This prospectus will help you identify the ideal sponsorship level to meet your needs, and we would be happy to arrange a meeting to discuss the opportunity further. For more information, email info@flash.org.

Sponsor Now

Book Your Room

Thank You to Our NDRC 2024 Sponsors

FLASH in the News

Hurricane Roof Clips: Are They Worth It?

With storm season upon us, homeowners in hurricane-prone areas are looking for ways to better protect their homes from high winds and other storm-related damages. And for good reason, as 2023 had more billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, like tornadoes and tropical storms, than ever before. Read More>

It’s Supposed to Be a Wet Summer: How to Tell If Your Home Is at Risk for Flooding

Experts say there are ways to protect your home from the damage caused by heavy rains and flooding, and they begin with prevention.

Early weather forecasts show a likelihood of increased flooding in parts of the United States1. And already, there are several hurricanes predicted for Southern states, including Florida and the Carolinas. In short, homeowners should brace themselves for a wet summer, including potential flooding. Read More >

“Is America HurricaneStrong?” Annual Survey Reveals Low Awareness of the Most Affordable and Effective Home Protection Opportunity

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) annual Is America HurricaneStrong? survey tracks past and future consumer preparedness actions and levels of understanding regarding safety, home protection, building codes, and insurance. The 2024 findings identified a significant knowledge gap in awareness of the relationship between strong garage doors and home damage, specifically roofs and adjacent walls. Read More>

How to make your home hurricane resistant, as scientists predict an ‘extremely active' storm season

Making your home hurricane resistant can be a significant financial undertaking. But it's one that has the potential to pay off as such storms become more intense amid climate change.

In 2024, the national average cost to upgrade an entire house with hurricane windows runs between $1,128 and $10,293, or $100 and $500 per window, including installation, according to This Old House. And that's just one project. Read More>

Forecasters project active hurricane season as homeowners remain unprepared for damages

Homeowners can take steps to prepare their homes against hurricane damage, yet many still need to do so, a recent survey said.

In 2023, 47% of respondents said they had no plan to strengthen their homes against hurricanes, according to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) survey. Moreover, 59% of respondents said they do not have a plan against what is brewing to be a very active hurricane season this year. Read More>

New study shows strong garage doors can save homes during severe storms

In a new study from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH), more than half of people they surveyed had no idea they could save their home by securing their garage.

The reality is - you can reinforce your garage for around $200 and have lasting impacts on property protection. Read More>

Protect garages against hurricanes

As residents prepare for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1, a new study suggests that homeowners should particularly play close attention to protecting their garages.

“We have a new analysis performed by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) of 3,000 homes that validates something we’ve known for decades, which is when your home and your roof is damaged and walls are damaged, it usually starts with your garage door,” said Leslie Chapman-Henderson, president and CEO of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH). Read More >

¿Tu hogar está preparado? Así puedes hacer tu vivienda más resistente a huracanes

Hacer que su casa sea resistente a los huracanes puede suponer un esfuerzo económico importante. Pero puede resultar beneficioso, ya que las tormentas son cada vez más intensas debido al cambio climático.

En 2024, el costo medio nacional de mejorar toda una casa con ventanas anticiclónicas oscilará entre $1,128 y $10,293, o entre $100 y $500 por ventana, incluida la instalación, según This Old House. Y eso es sólo un proyecto. Read More>

Celebrating Our Partners

2024 Ronald H. Brown Standards

Leadership Award

Dominic Sims, Chief Executive Officer of the International Code Council, and member of the FLASH Board of Directors, will be honored with the 2024 Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award by the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day Planning Committee. The award recognizes professionals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting the role of standardization in eliminating global barriers to trade. The FLASH team is thrilled to see our longtime partner and collaborator on our most critical disaster resilience efforts receive this prestigious honor.

Click here to learn more about Dominic’s contributions to safety and resiliency within built environments.

Illya Azaroff, FAIA, elected AIA’s

2026 President

Architect Illya Azaroff has been elected to The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Board of Directors, as 2025 President-elect/2026 President. Internationally acclaimed for his leadership in disaster mitigation, resilient adaptation, and regenerative design, Azaroff partnered with FLASH in 2019 to build a #HurricaneStrong home for a Queens, New York resident displaced by Superstorm Sandy. Remarking on his new role, Illya shared an inspirational vision for the field: “our collective mission is profound—to create a world that's resilient, sustainable, and equitable. I believe that the institute must act as a catalyst, propelling each member forward and providing the resources crucial for success. It's time to accelerate our impact, sparking transformation in every community globally.”

Click here to learn more about Illya and the newly elected AIA leadership.

Partner News

Fiscal Year 2023 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Selections

On July 2, 2024, FEMA announced the selections for the fiscal year 2023 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant cycle, offering nearly $1 billion in federal cost share for 656 subapplications. This marks a significant step towards enhancing the nation's resilience against future disasters.

The agency also selected 93 communities and Tribal Nations for BRIC Direct Technical Assistance, reinforcing its commitment to supporting local mitigation projects and reducing hazard risks through both financial and technical assistance. FEMA accelerated the announcement of selections this year, allowing state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to begin their mitigation efforts earlier than in previous years. Read More >

International Code Council Celebrates High Performance Building Week

From June 24-28, 2024, the International Code Council joined industry leaders and policymakers to celebrate High Performance Building Week, an annual event promoting the design, construction and operation of buildings that excel in energy efficiency, sustainability and overall performance.

Organized by industry leaders and advocacy groups that support the High Performance Building Coalition (HPBC), this week featured a variety of activities. These included workshops, panel discussions and networking events, all highlighting cutting-edge technologies, innovative practices and policy initiatives aimed at enhancing building performance.

“Through High Performance Building Week, we strive to raise the profile on the role of buildings in our lives and the economy, and engage policymakers in implementing policies that enhance sustainability and resilience of the built environment,” said Gabe Maser, Code Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations, and Past Chair of the HPBC. “By focusing on this goal, we can help lead the way to long-term economic and environmental benefits.” Read More >

Introducing the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program

The Florida Legislature has allocated $30 million to the Department of Financial Services to create the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. This initiative aims to enhance the safety and resilience of Florida's condominiums.

The initial phase involves the Department staff conducting bids and awarding contracts to entities that will manage the pilot program's day-to-day operations.

Once the initial phase is completed, My Safe Florida Home will develop inspection and grant application forms and procedures, with the goal of making program applications publicly available by Fall 2024.

Pilot Program Reminders:

This program is exclusively for Condo Associations, not individual condo unit owners.

Only Condo Associations that complete the application and approval process before starting construction will be eligible for grant funding.

Stay tuned for more updates as the My Safe Florida Home team builds out the program.

Innovation through Research and Collaboration: The Converging Design Project

As part of the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) Converging Design project, Simpson Strong-Tie collaborated with several universities to perform a series of outdoor shake table tests on a six-story hybrid structural steel and mass timber structure at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). This project followed the NHERI TallWood project, also conducted at UCSD, which simulated a series of large earthquakes and their effects on a full-scale, 10-story mass timber building.

The Converging Design project utilized six-story resilient steel frames from Simpson Strong-Tie Simpson Strong-Tie supports this area of the construction industry, which is focused on developing solutions that can be utilized in geographic areas with high seismic activity. Through the TallWood project, we proved the efficacy of our mass timber connection systems in providing resiliency for multistory mass timber buildings. We extended this type of research with the Converging Design project. Read More >