Home Building Topics - Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters

Despite advanced meteorological tools & years of research, tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes and fire still have the capacity to destroy lives and homes. Learn to protect homes from natural disasters.

Innovative Products & Processes - Technology Inventory

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Consider using the products below to take advantage of their potential to provide one or more of the following in the homes you build: Affordability, Energy Efficiency, Quality & Durability, Environmental Performance, and Safety.

Emergency Power Backup Systems

High Wind- and Impact-Resistant Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Hurricane Resistant Façade Panels

Manufactured Housing Disaster-Resistant Pier Systems

Manufactured Housing Ground Anchor Systems

Prefabricated Storm Shelter

Shear Wall Panels

Steel Foundation Systems

Design & Construction Guides

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Guides for designing and building various types of construction

Central America and Caribbean Training Program - Construction Methods, Materials, Techniques and Community Planning

Guide for the Implementation of PL 102-522 for Fire Alarm and Automatic Sprinkler Installations

Guideline on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies

Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series

Hurricane/Coastal Construction

Minimizing the Impact of Tornadoes

Tech Set 5: Storm-Resistant Roofing

Tech Set 7: Wind-Resistant Openings

Tips for Fire Retardant Construction

Best Practices

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General recommendations and accepted practices

Hurricane Preparedness for Builders

Natural Disaster Retrofit Improvements

Several Steps Required in Cleaning Flood-Damaged Homes

Performance Reports & Case Studies

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Evaluation of how products and systems perform in real life applications

The Performance of Perforated Shear Walls with Narrow Wall Segments, Reduced Base Restraint, and Alternative Framing Methods This report is part of an effort to develop, confirm, and enhance exterior shear wall design. The ultimate goal is to provide both safety and economy to housing construction in all wind and seismic areas in the United States.

Questions & Answers

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Frequently asked questions, answered by home building professionals

Do electrical switches, connections, receptacles, and wiring need to be replaced after flooding?

I am building a new home in California that could be subject to earthquakes. What steps should I take to protect the home?

I am building in a wooded area near a national forest. What should be done to protect the homes from the risk of wildfire?

I am starting a new subdivision near the West Coast of Florida. With all the recent hurricanes this past season, what should I do to protect the homes?

I built a house using steel studs instead of wood and am particularly concerned because it’s tornado season again. How do I get information on the sturdiness of the studs and where to go in the house if a tornado is coming?

In which regions of the United States are houses required to be designed for earthquake loads?

In which regions of the United States are houses required to be engineered to resist high wind loads?

Should ceramic tile adhered to concrete slabs be removed after flooding to avoid potential mold problems?

What do I need to know in order to develop a parcel of land near an area that recently had a wildfire?

What is the best practice for building in a flood-prone area?

Web Links

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Recommended Web resources for additional information

Agricultural Research Service National Formosan Subterranean Termite Program Information about the program, and tips for identifying and controlling Formosan subterranean termites.

Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) The Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC), develops and promotes building earthquake risk mitigation regulatory provisions for the nation.

Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE) The Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE) is devoted to the advancement of earthquake engineering research, education and implementation.

Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute seeks to reduce earthquake risk by advancing the science and practice of earthquake engineering.

Earthquake Information from FEMA The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers information for homeowners on how to protect their homes from earthquake damage.

Firewise Communities The national Firewise Communities program is intended to serve as a resource for agencies, tribes, organizations, fire departments, and communities across the U.S. who are working toward a common goal: reduce loss of lives, property, and resources to wildland fire by building and maintaining communities in a way that is compatible with our natural surroundings.

FLASH: Federal Alliance for Safe Homes This Web site is your gateway to the best information, programs and products to help protect your family, your home and your community from the ravages of natural disasters.

Hurricane Information from FEMA The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers information for homeowners about how to prepare their homes for a hurricane.

Hurricane Safety – Protecting your Home To help you get ready for hurricane season, the International Code Council offers some recommendations for protecting your home.

Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) The IICRC serves as an independent, non-profit certification body, setting and promoting high standards and ethics; and advancing communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration service industry.

Mercedes Homes / FEMA: Melbourne, Florida Focus on making poured concrete homes more resistant to hurricane-force winds. A "package" of strategies will be developed that provide the best investment for hazard mitigation, offered as a way to reduce insurance premiums through leading Florida underwriters.

National Storm Shelter Association The National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) ensures the quality of manufactured and constructed storm shelters for protecting people from injury or loss of life from the effects of tornadoes, hurricanes and other devastating natural disasters.

Natural and Man-made Hazards Publicatons from HUD The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has several publications that address the effects of natural disasters on housing.

No-Burn®, Inc. NO-BURN® WOOD GARD is a Class A fire reactant that is applied to wooden structures during the framing process, encapsulating the wood itself and protecting it by retarding fire.

Tornado Safe Rooms The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) presents publications, case studies, and other resources on creating safe rooms for homes in high-risk tornado and hurricane areas.

Did You Know?

Despite advanced meteorological tools & years of research, tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes and fire still have the capacity to destroy lives and homes. Learn to protect homes from natural disasters.