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)
“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.
