• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Insiders: Log In
Monday March 20th
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Briefing
    • Today
    • Future
  • Safety
  • Articles
  • KSStorm.Live
No Result
View All Result
KSStorm Info
KSStorm Info
  • Home
  • Briefing
    • Today
    • Future
  • Safety
  • Articles
  • KSStorm.Live
No Result
View All Result
KSStorm Info
No Result
View All Result

Aware 2021: Making Home More Storm-Ready

Scott Roberts by Scott Roberts
2021-03-06 07:00 CST
in General
0 0
0
o
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest

One of the challenges of living on the plains is the lack of requirements when it comes to home building. On the Atlantic and Gulf Coast there are requirements that new builds have to satisfy to make homes more resilient to hurricanes. But those types of requirements exist in few places on the plains.

Today’s tips sourced from https://www.resilientdesign.org/the-resilient-design-principles/

The single most important factor in resilience

One thing counts more than all the others when it comes to storm survivability in the home: keeping the roof on. If you can keep storm winds from getting under the roof and lifting or pushing it off the walls, you and your property stand a much better chance. We’ve all seen how homes are built: the walls are leaned up against one another, but until the roof is on they lack the support needed to create what builders call an “envelope.” Like the one you probably just thought of, the building envelope is meant tt keep the contents inside and protect them from hazards.

Keep the Roof on by tying it to the Foundation

What you want to have is a structure that is tied together with construction more substantial than nails. It starts at the foundation, with rebar tied to the footings and extending above the top of the basement or crawlspace wall. Then the joists can be tied to the rebar as they are placed. After walls are raised, each outer wall stud should be strapped from a few feet up the stud to a few feet below the edge of the concrete below.  The left side of this photo shows what it looks like on a concrete block cellar wall.

simpson strong tie

The right hand side steals a bit of later thunder — it is showing a roof joist tied via steel rod all the way to the foundation.

What about slab foundations?

J-bolts embedded in the concrete (preferably firmly tied to the grid of rebar in the floor) around the edges and where there will be interior bearing walls. Here’s an example:

o

 

As you can see, the bolt receiver is nailed into the stud with numerous nails. Much more sturdy than the old practice of toenailing the studs to the plates.

Continue tying things together as you go up, strapping from several feet above the floor to several feet below the bottom of the joist.

295957783 8690d585bc b

And last but certainly not least, tie down every roof joist to to the header below it, or even to the stud below that, spanning the header.

dsc00053

From https://www.buildinggreen.com/news-article/resilience-designing-homes-more-intense-storms:

In designing homes that will hold up well in strong winds, we should borrow heavily from the Miami-Dade County Building Code, which includes a wide range of provisions, including hurricane tie-down strapping or clips that provide a continuous structural connection from foundation slab to roof, minimum 2×6 framing in exterior walls, minimum 19/32-inch plywood roof sheathing with 6-inch nail spacing at panel edges and 4-inch at gable ends, and hurricane-rated shingles. Other wind-resistant strategies include hip roofs that deflect winds, avoidance of deeply overhung entryways, and outward-opening doors that are held more tightly closed in heavy wind.

But I’m not building a new home, am I just out of luck?

Actually, no. Here’s an example from Jacksonville, FL of a way you can get the roof joists tied to the headers when you’re getting the roof redone:

roof hurricane straps 10

If you’re remodeling inside, you can do the same type of thing at the base of your walls: cut off the bottom foot of drywall and nail T-shaped supports to the bottom plate and the studs. Every little bit helps.

More tips from FEMA — Building a Safe Room in your Home or Business

 

Related Articles

severe weather awareness week monday pm feature header

Prepare 2023: Andover EF-3 Tornado (2022) Retrospective

2023-03-09 18:01 CST
16
2016 05 16 tornado north of solomon, kansas

Prepare 2023: Tornadoes

2023-03-08 09:00 CST
36

NWS Partnership for Spotter Training

2023-02-13 11:05 CST
92
img 3143

Most Deadly Tornadoes not in “The Alley”

2022-06-20 07:48 CDT
68
Load More
Scott Roberts

Scott Roberts

I've chased storms and reported on the weather in some form now for almost 40 years. My first severe weather coverage was in the summer of 1981 on an FM station in Pratt, KS. I worked for KFDI News, including many hours in the Mobile Units during storm season, for six years. I went to KWCH12 as their storm chase coordinator for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Then I went into business for myself and have been chasing actively since 2005. 2020 brings some new things to the site, but at the core I still am driven to connect my understanding of weather and safety to you, giving accurate and timely information the best ways I can with the tools available. I'm gratified to have you along for the ride!

Next Post
0306211608a hdr

Chase Vehicle Mods Part 4: The Big Day becomes the Big Weekend

Connect with us

  • 610 Followers
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
blizzard

Second Signficant Snowstorm Imminent for Kansas

2022-02-16 21:42 CST

Risk Upgrade

2021-10-12 08:44 CDT
multi vortex

Andover Tornado: Photos and Video

2022-04-30 01:06 CDT

First Look: Multi-Day Event Next Week?

2022-04-08 08:18 CDT

When a City Loses Its Ever-lovin’ Mind

The 3 Things Tornado Victims Wish They Had

Have mercy on the TV weather departments

NOAA Lightning at night

There is No Such Thing as a Professional Chaser

severe weather awareness week monday pm feature header

Prepare 2023: Andover EF-3 Tornado (2022) Retrospective

2023-03-09 18:01 CST
2016 05 16 tornado north of solomon, kansas

Prepare 2023: Tornadoes

2023-03-08 09:00 CST
23 severe weather awareness week wednesday story header

Prepare 2023: Fire Weather

2023-03-07 09:00 CST

Prepare 2023: Severe Thunderstorms

2023-03-07 07:31 CST

Recommended

severe weather awareness week monday pm feature header

Prepare 2023: Andover EF-3 Tornado (2022) Retrospective

2023-03-09 18:01 CST
16
2016 05 16 tornado north of solomon, kansas

Prepare 2023: Tornadoes

2023-03-08 09:00 CST
36
23 severe weather awareness week wednesday story header

Prepare 2023: Fire Weather

2023-03-07 09:00 CST
27

Prepare 2023: Severe Thunderstorms

2023-03-07 07:31 CST
50
Twitter Instagram Pinterest Twitch RSS Youtube

About KSStorm.Info

We're a collaboration of weather enthusiasts who live the goal of providing accurate, hype-free weather forecasts, outlooks, and safety information. Our focus is Kansas.

More about KSStorm.Info

All material on this site is © KSStorm Media and may not be used or reposted anywhere without express permission.
Call or email for licensing.

KSStorm Info Services

  • PERKS: Become a KSStorm.Info Insider
  • Chase with Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Need a Speaker?
    Storm Safety Talk

© 2021 KSStorm Media, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Want to use something from this site? Email or Call to license.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Briefing
    • Today
    • Future
  • Safety
  • Articles
  • KSStorm.Live

© 2021 KSStorm Media, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Want to use something from this site? Email or Call to license.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

*By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install this KSStorm Info on your iPhone and then Add to Home Screen

×

Add KSStorm Info to your Homescreen!

Add
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

By visiting our site, you agree to our privacy policy regarding cookies, tracking statistics, etc. Read more