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-- WITH PHOTO -- TO ENVIRONMENTAL, HOME AND GARDEN, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
Most Americans incorrectly believe wind speeds determine hurricane
evacuation
ORLANDO, Fla., April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A national
Harris Interactive Survey commissioned by the nonprofit Federal
Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)@ has revealed some frightening
perceptions regarding hurricane evacuation. The survey found that a
vast majority of Americans, 84 percent, mistakenly base their life or
death evacuation decisions on the hurricane category and/or wind
speed. In fact, hurricane evacuation boundaries are based on the
threat of water, not wind, and nearly all evacuation orders are issued
due to threat of inland flooding and storm surge.
Today at the National Hurricane Conference, FLASH launched #bustamyth,
an initiative to overcome Americans' confusion regarding when to
evacuate in a tropical storm or hurricane and to dispel other
hurricane myths.
"Most people think of wind with a hurricane, but in recent years,
water from storm surge and inland flooding has done the most damage
and killed the most people," said Rick Knabb, Ph.D., Director of
NOAA's National Hurricane Center (NHC). "Families need to find out if
they live in an evacuation zone today, have a plan in place and
immediately follow evacuation orders when issued."
Tropical storms, Category 1 and 2 hurricanes, post-tropical cyclones
and even Nor'easters can all cause life-threatening storm surge. In
2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing
storm surge of 15 to 20 feet above normal tide levels. In 2012,
Tropical Storm Debby produced storm surge of seven feet in the Florida
Panhandle. Often, heavy rains from hurricanes and tropical storms
cause flooding well inland from the initial strike zone.
"People underestimate the force and power of water," said FLASH
President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "During Superstorm Sandy,
the Sochacki family of Union Beach, New Jersey lost their home when it
was broken apart and swept out to sea. In the middle of the storm,
they were forced to take shelter in an elevated, concrete home next
door."
FLASH documents stories of survival like the Sochacki family's in its
Tale of Two Homes series in hopes of saving lives and homes in the
future.
New evacuation resources available
Beginning this hurricane season, the NHC will issue an experimental
Potential Storm Surge Flooding Map for areas along the Gulf and
Atlantic coasts of the United States that are at risk of storm surge
from a tropical cyclone. These real-time maps will show areas where
storm surge could occur and how high above ground the water could
reach in those areas. The interactive map will be available at
www.hurricanes.gov when hurricane or, in some cases, tropical storm,
watches or warnings are in effect.
Additionally, FLASH has compiled available online resources on
evacuation zones and storm surge mapping for the 222 coastal counties,
parishes, and regions from Texas to Maine to help families determine
if they reside in an evacuation zone.
Other myths revealed
The annual Harris Interactive survey tests homeowners' hurricane
beliefs regarding safety and property protection. Some of the other
widely held myths included:
MYTH: It costs more than $10K to make a home stronger against
hurricanes FINDING: 69 percent of Americans believe this to be true
FACT: There are affordable methods and products that minimize damage
and the need for costly repairs, including:
-- Garage doors are often the most vulnerable opening on a home in a
hurricane, but they can be braced for as little as $150
-- Windows and sliding glass doors can be protected from flying debris
with temporary plywood shutters for $275 to $750 or with corrugated
steel or aluminum shutters from $7 to $15 per foot
-- Roof uplift resistance is critical in high wind and it may be
tripled by applying a 1/4 inch bead of APA AFG-01 certified wood
adhesive along the intersection of the roof deck and roof rafter or
truss chord on both sides of the beam
-- Water intrusion through the roof deck joints is a common source of
damage; however, peel and stick water barrier can be applied during
re-roofing for as little as $750
MYTH: Taping windows helps prevent hurricane damage FINDING: 54
percent of Americans believe this to be true FACT: Taping windows
wastes preparation time, does not stop windows from breaking in a
hurricane, and does not make clean-up easier. In fact, taping windows
may create larger shards of glass that could cause serious injuries.
Masking tape, duct tape, window film and specially marketed "hurricane
tape" are insufficient and potentially dangerous. Use tested and
approved hurricane shutters or other opening protection instead.
About the Survey This survey was conducted online within the United
States by Harris Poll on behalf of Salter Mitchell and FLASH from
March 3-5, 2014 among 2,112 adults ages 18 and older. This online
survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate
of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey
methodology, including weighting variables, please contact
tami@flash.org.
About FLASH Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)@, a 501(c)3
nonprofit organization, is the country's leading consumer advocate for
strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade
disasters. FLASH collaborates with more than 100 innovative and
diverse partners that share its vision of making America a more
disaster-resilient nation including: BASF, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, Florida Division of Emergency Management, The Home
Depot@, International Code Council, Kohler@ Generators, National
Weather Service, Portland Cement Association, RenaissanceRe, Simpson
Strong-Tie@, State FarmT, USAA@ and WeatherPredict Consulting Inc. In
2008, FLASH opened the interactive weather experience StormStruck: A
Tale of Two Homes@ in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Learn more about FLASH and
gain access to its free consumer resources by visiting www.flash.org
or calling (877) 221- SAFE (7233). Also, get timely safety tips to
ensure that you and your family are protected from natural and manmade
disasters by subscribing to the FLASH blog - Protect Your Home in a
FLASH.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/DC03772-INFO
SOURCE Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)
-0- 04/15/2014
/CONTACT: Anna Alexopoulos, Cell 954.647.7059; Trenise Lyons, Cell 305.926.6290
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/DC03772-INFO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.flash.org
CO: Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)
ST: Florida
IN: ENV HMI
SU: NPT
PRN
-- DC03772 --
0000 04/15/2014 11:00:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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