The Mitigation
Outreach Academy
… An Introduction to High Wind
Introduction
FLASH developed the Mitigation Outreach Academy to equip volunteers with useful
mitigation outreach resources as they advocate for home mitigation and preparedness
before and after they serve in the disaster zone. Accurate, reliable, and relevant home
mitigation information is critical to fostering an environment where communities build with
resilience in mind, and volunteers carry that message effectively by combining it with their
personal experience.
Volunteers are the boots on the ground after a disaster and can use their experiences and
voices to help create disaster resilient communities. Using this Mitigation Outreach Academy
Volunteer Toolkit, volunteers can inspire others to take action by translating experiences and
lessons learned post-disaster into advocacy for pre-disaster mitigation activities.
The toolkit serves a dual function. It provides access to mitigation information and helps
volunteers tell their story by transforming experience into educational tools. Volunteers can
take resilience to the next level and recruit new advocates to the disaster safety movement,
creating resilience influencers within their organizations and communities.
Table of Contents
My Story: A Volunteer’s Perspective
Identify Your Risk
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Resilience and Affordability
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting and Rebuilding
DIY Wind Inspection Video
Protecting Windows
Protecting Garage Doors
Protecting Entry Doors
Retrofitting Roofs: Gable End Bracing
Retrofitting Roofs: Decking
Retrofitting Roofs: Strengthening
Retrofitting Roofs: Underlayment
Retrofitting Roofs: Coverings
Rebuilding Roofs: Roof-to-Wall Connections
Rebuilding Roofs: Creating a Load Path
Page 5-7
Page 8
Page 9-11
Page 12-13
Page 14
Page 15-16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22-23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
Table of Contents
Rebuilding Roofs: Exterior Wall Sheathing/Siding
A Volunteers Perspective: Safe Rooms
A Tale of Two Homes: Tornado
Make a Difference – Resources
Amplify the Message: Become an Influencer
High Wind Resources
Page 27
Page 28-29
Page 30
Page 31
Page 32
Page 33
My Story: A Volunteer’s Perspective
(Users should insert photos and videos with
short descriptors from the most recent
volunteer experience in the disaster zone)
Photos/Videos
My Story: A Volunteer’s Perspective
(Users should insert photos and videos with
short descriptors from the most recent
volunteer experience in the disaster zone)
Photos/Videos
My Story: A Volunteer’s Perspective
(Users should include important takeaways and
lessons learned from the most recent volunteer
experience in the disaster zone)
Example takeaways below
• Families, homes and belongings can be protected against high winds,
hurricanes and tornadoes before they strike
• There are cost-effective “Do-It-Yourself” as well as professional
contractor options for high wind mitigation
• Lack of building codes or use of older codes can increase damage
vulnerability and modern wind codes are stronger because they are
refined to include lessons learned after disasters
• Dangerous conditions following disasters, can be as devastating as
the original disaster, but taking mitigation steps can make a difference
Identify Your Risk
Communities should:
• Identify High Wind Risks
• Plan for the Worst
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Resilience and Affordability
Consider this
• 90% of all tornadoes are EF-2
strength or lower
• 95% of damage occurs at EF-3
and below even during EF-4 or
EF-5 tornado outbreaks
Can we affordably build to
withstand tornadoes?
• As little as 50¢ per square foot
in metal connectors can deliver
increased wind uplift resistance
to meet the forces of EF-3 and
below tornadoes
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Resilience and Affordability
• Affordably Protecting Your Home from High Wind
My Story: A Volunteer’s Perspective
(Users should include important takeaways and
lessons learned from the most recent volunteer
experience in the disaster zone)
Example takeaways below
• Families, homes and belongings can be protected against high winds,
hurricanes and tornadoes before they strike
• There are cost-effective “Do-It-Yourself” as well as professional
contractor options for high wind mitigation
• Lack of building codes or use of older codes can increase damage
vulnerability and modern wind codes are stronger because they are
refined to include lessons learned after disasters
• Dangerous conditions following disasters, can be as devastating as
the original disaster, but taking mitigation steps can make a difference
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Resilience and Affordability
Consider this
• A package of high wind
protection can cost as little as
$1,100
Homeowners can:
• Brace garage doors starting at
$150
• Install plywood shutters from
$275 to $750
• Install aluminum shutters $7$15 per foot
• Seal roof decks for as little as
$750
• Install hurricane straps and
clips for 50¢ each
• Triple roof uplift resistance
using premium adhesives at
roof rafter/truss joints
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting and Rebuilding
The VOAD FEMA P-804 and P-499 Guides
outline requirements, including materials and
techniques
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting
DIY Wind Inspection Checklist
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting
DIY Wind Inspection Video
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Openings
Protecting Windows
• Prevents internal pressurization
• Prevents broken window glass
• Reduces water intrusion
Do’s
• Do purchase hurricane shutters or make
temporary, emergency plywood shutters
• Do install temporary shutters properly
• Do invest in impact-resistant windows
• Do Go Tapeless!
Don’ts
• Don’t use duct or masking tape on windows
• Don’t use window film in hurricane regions
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Openings
Protecting Windows - Video
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Openings
Protecting Garage Doors
• Garage doors cover the largest and
most vulnerable opening
• Garage doors can be braced affordably
Do’s
• Do brace doors that aren’t windresistant or impact-resistant
• Do purchase replacement garage doors
that are pressure rated for the correct
wind speed
Don’ts
• Don’t wait until a storm watch or warning
is issued before protecting your garage
door
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Openings
Protecting Entry Doors
•
•
•
Failure can lead to major damage
Double entry doors are not as strong as
single entry
Doors that swing open inside are not as
strong as outward swinging doors
Dos
•
•
•
•
Do ensure entry doors swing to the outside
Do brace double entry doors
Do install impact-resistant entry doors
Do leave one door operable when
shuttering to allow ingress/egress
Don’ts
•
Don’t wait until a storm watch or warning is
issued to take these steps
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Roofs
Gable End Bracing
• A gable roof forms a “standing A” shape
• A gable roof can fail in high wind unless
it is braced or constructed with balloon
framing
Do’s
• Do brace gable end walls
• Do ensure adequate sheathing
connection at the top of the gable end
Don’ts
• Don’t wait until a storm watch or
warning is issued before taking these
steps
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Roofs
Roof Decking
• Lightweight decking and weak nailing
patterns can allow wind to rip sheathing
from the roof
Do’s
• Do install a solid plywood roof deck of
5/8” thickness to maximize windresistance
• Do use an adequate nailing pattern of
6” on center
• Do ensure that nails penetrate directly
into roof framing
Don’ts
•
•
Don’t use staples to hold decking in
place
Don’t place nails more than six inches
apart
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Roofs
Applying Wood Adhesive
• Premium flooring adhesive can
strengthen the connection
between roof framing and decking
• Proper application of the right
adhesive can increase roof uplift
resistance by up to 3X
Do’s
• Do apply a continuous ¼” bead of
APA AFG-01 certified wood
adhesive along the rafter/deck
joint
Don’ts
•
Don’t wait until a storm watch or
warning is issued to take this step
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Roofs
Roof Covering, Deck & Underlayment - Video
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Roofs
Secondary Water Barrier/Underlayment
• Final line of defense against water
intrusion through nail holes or joints if the
roof is damaged
Do’s
• Do check attic to confirm roof decking is
properly nailed
• Do install self-adhering bitumen tape,
strips or other secondary water barrier
• Do follow manufacturer’s instructions for
installing roof coverings in high wind
areas
• Do make sure roof decking is properly
nailed
Don’ts
•
Don’t wait until a storm watch or warning
is issued to take this step
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Roofs
Roof Coverings
• Failure to use high wind roof coverings
(metal, shingles or tile) in wind regions
and/or incorrect roof covering
installation can cause loss during high
winds events, including hurricanes and
tornadoes
Do’s
• Do ensure that roof decking is properly
nailed before installing roof coverings
• Do install roof covering that meets and
exceeds building code requirements
• Do check the existing roof deck for
adequate nailing and moisture damage
before installing new coverings
Don’ts
•
Never install new roof coverings over
an old layer of roofing
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Rebuilding - Roofs
Roof-to-Wall Connections
• The entire roof can fail when roofto-wall connections fail in high wind.
Traditional toe-nailed connections
are weak and can allow the roof to
detach in high wind leading to
progressive building failure.
Do’s
• Do use specified metal connectors
to ensure a continuous load path
from roof to walls and walls to
foundation
Don’ts
•
Don’t use toe-nailing or other older
connection methods. Use metal
connectors, e.g. hurricane clips
and straps instead.
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Rebuilding – Creating a
Load Path
Exterior Wall – Creating a
Load Path
• Uplift loads must be carried on a
strong path from the roof down into
foundation
Do’s
• Do connect the roof securely to the
wall
• Do link walls to the foundation
Don’ts
•
Don’t just connect the roof and
walls without adequate attaching
the walls to foundation
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Rebuilding –
Sheathing/Siding
Exterior Wall – Sheathing/Siding
• Siding is frequently blown off walls in high
wind events
• Wind-driven rain is frequently blown into
wall cavities
Do’s
• Use 5/8” exterior grade plywood
• Use high wind rated products
• Use enhanced nailing patterns
Don’ts
•
Don’t use products that are not high wind
rated
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Tornado Safe Rooms
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Tornado Safe Rooms
Tornado Safe Room Considerations:
•
•
•
Can be site-built or manufactured
Can be installed in new or existing homes
Can be located anywhere on the first floor, in a basement or outside
Be sure to:
•
•
•
Stock with flashlights, food, water and communication systems
Securely anchor the safe room or shelter to the foundation
Have a separate foundation if installed in or over a crawl space
Remember:
•
•
•
Do not build a safe room if you reside in a flood or storm surge evacuation zone
Always build to FEMA P-361 guidelines or the ICC/NSSA 500 standard
Designs found in FEMA P-320: Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe
Room for Your Home or Small Business, meet the FEMA P-361 guidelines and
the ICC/NSSA 500 standard
A Tale of Two Homes: Tornado
My Story: Make a Difference
Advocate for Resilience
• FLASH DIY Videos
• FLASH Cards
• How-to Animations
Amplify the Message: Become an Influencer
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Talk to community groups, including your own
Examples of local clubs you can reach out to:
 Kiwanis clubs
 Exchange clubs
 Rotary clubs
 Women’s clubs
 Junior League
 Church youth groups
 Homeowner’s associations
 Local government meetings
 Local Chamber of Commerce
 Local young professional groups
Traditional methods such as using flyers placed on billboards in cafes
Nontraditional ways such as social media and email
Host a volunteer “open house” event
Provide volunteer orientation/training
Host a luncheon
High Wind Resources
www.flash.org
www.protect-your-home.org
www.youtube.com/stronghomes
Severe Winds FLASH Card
http://www.flash.org/resources/files/Severe%20Wind.pdf
Tornado Safety FLASH Card
http://www.flash.org/pdf/tornadoSafety0913.pdf
Safe Room FLASH Card
http://www.flash.org/resources/files/Safe%20Room.pdf
Hurricane FLASH Card
http://www.flash.org/resources/files/Hurricane.pdf
High Wind Video Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR7GhNEQT6T8lzKnjex1fHb4fJyhRboiT
Tornadoes: Safe Rooms
http://flash.org/peril_inside.php?id=177