76_Hurricane Ready: How to Fortify Your Home and Reduce Storm Damage by 70%
Update: 2025-09-01
Description
What does it really mean to be hurricane ready?
đ In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we sit down with meteorologist Rachael Gauthier from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to uncover the science-backed strategies that protect homes against hurricane damage.
Rachael explains:
â Why your roof is your homeâs first line of defense
â How wind-rated garage doors prevent catastrophic structural collapse
â The role of FORTIFIED construction standards
â How grant programs are making upgrades affordable for homeowners
â The real-world results from Hurricane Sally, where FORTIFIED homes were 70% less likely to file insurance claims
Whether youâre a homeowner, builder, or emergency manager, this episode gives you practical steps and proven solutions to protect your property, reduce risk, and recover faster after severe storms.
đ Resources from IBHS FORTIFIED
Home Program: https://fortifiedhome.org/
Home Disaster Guides: https://ibhs.org/guidance/homedisasterguides/ R
oofing Roadmaps: https://ibhs.org/roofing-roadmaps/
Why Garage Doors Matter: https://ibhs.org/why-a-strong-garage-door-matters/
Disaster Discussions Podcast (IBHS): https://ibhs.org/disaster-discussions-podcast/ I
BHS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IBHS_org/videos
đą Follow IBHS on Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBHSorg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibhs_org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-business-&-home-safety
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ibhs_org
đ Subscribe to the DisasterClass Podcast
Helping you educate, prepare, and equip yourself for lifeâs disruptions.Â
đ§ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disasterclass/id1662144263
đ§ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NDYauzCjHLgYXHVZarBdE
đş YouTube: https://youtube.com/@disasterclasspodcast
đ Website: https://www.instinctready.com/disasterclass
đ Sponsors & Partners
𧢠Sawyer Products
Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuriesâeverything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts.Â
đ Visit: https://www.sawyer.com
đ˛ EM Disaster Gaming
Emergency preparedness doesnât have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games are designed to teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way. Learn more today and level up your preparedness!Â
đ Visit EMDisasterGaming.com.
đЏSTOP THE BLEEDÂŽ Coalition
Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEEDÂŽ Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEEDÂŽ campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and to learn how you can get involved. đ Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org.Â
đĄď¸ Instinct ReadyÂ
DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products. đ Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS đ Call: (845) 244-6360 đ Visit: https://www.instinctready.com
đ In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we sit down with meteorologist Rachael Gauthier from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to uncover the science-backed strategies that protect homes against hurricane damage.
Rachael explains:
â Why your roof is your homeâs first line of defense
â How wind-rated garage doors prevent catastrophic structural collapse
â The role of FORTIFIED construction standards
â How grant programs are making upgrades affordable for homeowners
â The real-world results from Hurricane Sally, where FORTIFIED homes were 70% less likely to file insurance claims
Whether youâre a homeowner, builder, or emergency manager, this episode gives you practical steps and proven solutions to protect your property, reduce risk, and recover faster after severe storms.
đ Resources from IBHS FORTIFIED
Home Program: https://fortifiedhome.org/
Home Disaster Guides: https://ibhs.org/guidance/homedisasterguides/ R
oofing Roadmaps: https://ibhs.org/roofing-roadmaps/
Why Garage Doors Matter: https://ibhs.org/why-a-strong-garage-door-matters/
Disaster Discussions Podcast (IBHS): https://ibhs.org/disaster-discussions-podcast/ I
BHS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IBHS_org/videos
đą Follow IBHS on Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBHSorg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibhs_org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-business-&-home-safety
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ibhs_org
đ Subscribe to the DisasterClass Podcast
Helping you educate, prepare, and equip yourself for lifeâs disruptions.Â
đ§ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disasterclass/id1662144263
đ§ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NDYauzCjHLgYXHVZarBdE
đş YouTube: https://youtube.com/@disasterclasspodcast
đ Website: https://www.instinctready.com/disasterclass
đ Sponsors & Partners
𧢠Sawyer Products
Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuriesâeverything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts.Â
đ Visit: https://www.sawyer.com
đ˛ EM Disaster Gaming
Emergency preparedness doesnât have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games are designed to teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way. Learn more today and level up your preparedness!Â
đ Visit EMDisasterGaming.com.
đЏSTOP THE BLEEDÂŽ Coalition
Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEEDÂŽ Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEEDÂŽ campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and to learn how you can get involved. đ Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org.Â
đĄď¸ Instinct ReadyÂ
DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products. đ Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS đ Call: (845) 244-6360 đ Visit: https://www.instinctready.com
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