Michael Rimoldi of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH), a disaster safety awareness and education group, presented numerous scenes of the damage recently sustained from two hurricanes in two weeks that hit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as observed during recent inspections. Working with local officials, FLASH is helping to update building codes, train new building department staff and local contractors and assist in advising on rebuilding programs.

“No one really has anywhere to evacuate during a hurricane in the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico,” Rimoldi noted. “They’re stuck where they are. Stricter codes could make buildings stronger and also save lives.”

Rimoldi notes that FLASH’s Mitigation Assessment Teams (MAT) evaluate the performance of buildings and related infrastructure in response to the effects of both natural and man-made hazards. The teams conduct field investigations, working closely with state and local officials to develop recommendations for design improvements and to develop recommendations for code provisions and enforcement.

“Maybe impact windows and doors aren’t enough during a hurricane,” he said. “Maybe the whole building needs to be reinforced.”

Rimoldi pointed out that it is not uncommon for hurricane prevention to be focused solely on the coastal-facing side of the building, but winds can be expected from any direction; “protecting only one side of the building does not work.” This was evident in the severe water damage to a government building with storm shutters on solely the coastal side of the structure. Though that side fared well, the rest of the building did not.

“While the assessments are about buildings, you feel the human impact,” he said, showing photos of everyday objects – a hair brush, a fork and a framed portrait of a woman – amongst the debris.

Founded in 1998, the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH®) is the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters. For more information, including ways to become part of the Mitigation Assessment Team, visit flash.org. Analysis and conclusions, including results from Hurricane Sandy, are available online from FEMA.