IBHS, Disaster Resilience Network Encourage Stronger, More Resilient Rebuilding with FORTIFIED

OKLAHOMA CITY, Jun. 06, 2019 – As Oklahoma communities begin to rebuild after recent severe weather, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the Disaster Resilience Network encourage Sooner state homeowners to look to the future and rebuild stronger with the FORTIFIED Home™ resilient construction standards.

“Property damage to homes from EF-0 and EF-1 tornadoes can, in many cases, be eliminated, using FORTIFIED standards. Building FORTIFIED also can strengthen a home’s defenses against other wind events, severe thunderstorms and hailstorms,” said Fred Malik, Managing Director of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s (IBHS) FORTIFIED programs. “It starts with the roof, the most important and most vulnerable component of every home”

“Oklahoma is no stranger to severe weather. Repair and rebuild stronger with the FORTIFIED program to lessen the impact of the next storm on your life. In Oklahoma, some insurance companies even provide incentives for building FORTIFIED,” said Tim Lovell, Executive Director of the Oklahoma-based Disaster Resilience Network.

“As the national standard for resilient construction, our FORTIFIED Home program is based on extensive science-based testing of engineering and building standards designed to make new and existing homes stronger, safer and better able to withstand severe weather impacts,” Malik added.

Lovell encourages homeowners to contact the Disaster Resilience Network for more information on building and retrofitting homes to the FORTIFIED standard in Oklahoma, and also suggests homeowners contact their insurance agent to learn about possible discounts or incentives for homes in Oklahoma that are designated under the FORTIFIED Home program.

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