Hurricane Sandy Anniversary Commemorated/#HurricaneStrong Home Unveiled

New video highlights resilient construction as part of one woman's journey to recovery

News provided by

Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)

Oct 25, 2019, 10:12 ET

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Oct. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Hurricane Sandy anniversary approaches, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) Partnership is debuting a new video featuring a storm survivor's commitment to building her home back better and creating resilience in the face of future storms. Hurricane Sandy destroyed Diane Hellriegel's original 1955 Breezy Point home with hurricane-force winds and deadly storm surge. Today, a new wind- and flood-resistant, energy-efficient, concrete residence built using model building codes, coastal construction best practices, and IBHS FORTIFIED Home™ methods stands in its place. (10-Minute Video) (One-Minute Video)

New video highlights resilient construction as part of one woman’s journey to recovery

"Bringing our partners together to rebuild Diane's home showcases the many affordable options for durable, resilient construction with everyday benefits as well as future safety value," said FLASH President & CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "We are grateful for her willingness to tell her story in the spirit of helping others."

Diane's new home has a solid concrete foundation and an elevated living space to resist flooding and high winds while boosting energy efficiency and fire resistance. The design features a variety of innovative materials, including:

Closed-cell spray polyurethane foam
Concrete roofing tiles
Fire-resistant decking materials
Flood vents
Hurricane straps
Insulated concrete form (ICF) walls
Lightning protection system
Water and airtight structural sheathing
Whole-home generator, and more

The #HurricaneStrong Home is a demonstration project presented by the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, (FLASH), BASF Corporation, Portland Cement Association, and +LAB Architect PLLC with support from AirSeal Insulation Systems, Associated Lightning, BASF Construction NA, Eagle Roofing, East Coast Lightning Equipment, FEMA, Huber Engineered Woods, ICP Adhesives, Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturers Association, ISO - Verisk Analytics, James Hardie, Kohler Generators, Lightning Protection Institute, Logix, National Weather Service, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Polyglass USA, Quad-Lock, Simpson Strong-Tie, Smart Vent Foundation Flood Vents, The Spray Market, Trex Company, and V-Tech.

The project and video are part of the National Hurricane Resilience Initiative #HurricaneStrong.

About FLASH
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. The FLASH partnership includes more than 100 innovative and diverse organizations that share a vision of making America a more disaster-resilient nation including: BASF Corporation, FEMA, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Huber Engineered Woods, International Code Council, ISO - Verisk Analytics, Lowe's, National Weather Service, Portland Cement Association, Simpson Strong-Tie, State Farm, and USAA. In 2008, FLASH, and Disney opened the interactive weather experience StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes, in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Learn more about FLASH and access free consumer resources by visiting www.flash.org, calling toll-free (877) 221- SAFE (7233), following @federalalliance on Twitter, on Facebook.com/federalalliance, and the FLASH blog – Protect Your Home in a FLASH.

SOURCE Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)