ResilienceTen years after Hurricane Ivan, Alabama communities are better prepared
Since Hurricane Ivan struck Baldwin County, Alabama and neighboring communities ten years ago, building officials have adopted better resilience protocols to protect human life and property from future storms. Ivan, which left an estimated $14.2 billion in damages throughout the Gulf Coast, is considered the worst storm to hit Alabama in twenty-five years, and the seventh most costly hurricane ever to affect the United States.
Since Hurricane Ivan struck Baldwin County, Alabama and neighboring communities ten years ago, building officials have adopted better resilience protocols to protect human life and property from future storms. Ivan, which left an estimated $14.2 billion in damages throughout the Gulf Coast, is considered the worst storm to hit Alabama in twenty-five years, and the seventh most costly hurricane ever to affect the United States.
Alex Cory, manager of the FORTIFIED Coastal Programs at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) believes that public-private partnerships are instrumental to building better infrastructure and property that will survive the next big storm. IBHS created FORTIFIED as a voluntary multi-level building standard for new construction and retrofits to increase a home’s resilience to natural hazards. Alabama state officials passed legislation in 2009 requiring insurance companies to provide discounts to property owners in Baldwin and Mobile counties who have FORTIFIED designated homes. The move has helped hundreds of Alabama homeowners strengthen their property against hurricanes and flooding.
Insurance Journal reports that most communities in Baldwin and Mobile counties have adopted stronger building codes based on the 2012 version of the International Residential Code with coastal supplements from FORTIFIED’s Bronze level requirements, focused on strengthening the roof of homes, considered a home’s most vulnerable component and first line of defense against hurricanes. Some communities have even offered rebate on building permit fees to builders and homeowners who build using FORTIFIED’s Gold level standards.
While individual jurisdictions throughout Alabama have adopted their own resilience initiatives, statewide policies are needed to ensure the safety of more residents and decrease the cost of post-disaster government aid for rebuilding following natural disasters. Cory proposes that state officials require better and improved building standards for contractors in Alabama, in addition to more affordable insurance for homeowners. The Alabama Department of Insurance, along with organizations including IBHS have developed infrastructure for a mitigation program, but Cory wants the state to fund the program to help residents afford retrofits of their homes. “As we remember the ten-year anniversary of Hurricane Ivan during National Preparedness Month, let’s place a renewed focus on creating a safer, stronger and more prepared Alabama,” Cory said.
