Don’t get caught in A BIG WIND with your guard down

In our last article on installing plywood Hurricane shutters we highlighted the APA guide and that we liked the fact that it mentions how to install plywood shutters over multiple kinds of housing materials such as stucco, wood, concrete, or something else. The material of your home of business structure that surrounds your window and door openings will dictate what kinds of fastening devices you’ll use to install your plywood Hurricane Shutters. As I mentioned in my article I liked the APA guide but also found it a bit complex as a layperson.

This may seem like a ho-hum subject but we can assure you that when it comes to protecting your home from Hurricane force winds that it isn’t. Most every article you’ll read on installing plywood Hurricane shutters will make the point that your protection is only as good as the weakest link in your installation. Is the wood around your windows rotten? You can sink the perfect fastener into that wood but the chances of it holding are going to be compromised by the rotten wood. In fact, it’s common for improperly installed plywood to become a dreaded large missile as a Hurricane’s big winds tear the plywood from homes and send them hurtling through your neighborhood. The problem could easily be the kind of fasteners you use since there are such a dizzying array of choices. Don’t let this be you.

I came across an article published by the St. Petersburg Times titled Get the proper hardware for plywood protection. The article is easy to read and is packed with useful information on different types of screws, bolts, anchors and nails. A few minutes spent reading the article should help make that trip to Home Depot a lot less confusing and your plywood Hurricane shutters a lot more attached to your home. Don’t forget to use the right number of fasteners as well. In an article published by Hurricane Protection Magazine they wrote:

“After the storm, several members of the IHPA looked at plywood applications that both stayed in place and some that had failed and found that nearly all plywood installations were attached with the incorrect number of fasteners. In addition to the inadequate fasteners the thickness of the plywood was insufficient to stop a large wind-borne missile.”

Here’s a great page showing what a lot of the fasteners actually look like.

I was looking around the Internet today and doing more research on plywood Hurricane shutters. I ran across an extensive and relatively intricate set of instructions at The Engineered Wood Association (APA) on how to install plywood Hurricane shutters.

After reading through their detailed instructions (download a copy here) I was having memories of The Night Before Christmas. No, not the book, the actual night before Christmas, when we of supposedly handy skills break out screw driver and wrench and do our best to interpret Chinese English as we walk through the 40-step assembly instructions for our kids new trike. So it is in my house anyway. These days I just hand the instructions to my wife and fulfill the role of robot, acting only after being given explicit instructions from my more intelligent half. To be fair, the APA instructions I’m having a little fun with are great in that they show you how to mount plywood Hurricane shutters on a number of different types of structures such as masonry, wood frame, etc. Most of the instructions I see don’t even address the different kinds of materials you have to attach your plywood shutters too! The APA also has information on how to make your plywood Hurricane shutters even stronger by installing braces on the back of the plywood. Again, probably not for me or the average Dick or Jane but for those that are truly handy you’ll probably enjoy these materials.

My overall point is that public safety organizations like FEMA and FLASH have been recommending the simpler and less timely method of Plywood overlap installation vs. the older inset method that utilizes barrel bolts. No one wants to see people give up on installing their plywood shutters because it is too complicated or takes too long. As public safety organizations have matured they’ve learned that that their ultimate success is greatly increased by making their recommended solutions simpler, and less time consuming for laypeople. A representative of FEMA that we spoke with recently who also worked for The Red Cross for 15 years cited the example of how CPR instruction now focuses on chest compression and less on mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The rationale is the same as the one we see now for plywood Hurricane shutters. The best method is the one that quickly and easily allows laypeople like me to get the job done. Drilling holes in the insets of your home’s windows, inserting copper inserts into those holes and then getting the barrel bolts on your plywood shutters to match up with those holes and inserts gets a man like me thinking about those Christmas Eve assembly sessions from hell.

The old axiom KISS applies: Keep it simple, stupid.

As an aside I read some interesting information on plywood Hurricane shutter installation on another blog post here. One comment of note was from a person saying that finding the appropriate barrel bolts had become next to impossible. I just took this as another good reason to just say yes to the more current overlap method.

Alberto, the first named storm of the 2006 Hurricane season is presently spinning around in The Gulf of Mexico generating 70 mph sustained winds and this very well might make landfall as a hurricane.  A Hurricane Warning has been issued for parts of the Florida gulf coast.  You could be hours away from meeting Alberto face-to-face. 

Here at A Big Wind this week we’re highlighting practical Hurricane protection information that can help you get prepared today. That’s why we’ve already featured a couple of articles (here and here) on plywood Hurricane shutters. But that’s not enough.

Which leads us to our riddle today…

Which opening on your home stands the greatest chance of failing under Hurricane force winds?

Which opening on your home is most likely to remain unprotected even when you have Hurricane shutters or impact windows installed?

Which opening on your home can you secure yourself for around $150, 45 minutes using an electric drill and 1/2″ masonry bit?

Answer: Your garage door. When A Big Wind started researching how to protect your garage door opening we were pleasantly surprised to find information like that which we found in this story on Bob Vila’s site about protecting your garage door in hurricane. The story features DAB’s Hurricane Master Garage Door System* – a Hurricane garage door solution that focuses not only on bracing and stronger garage door skin, but also on a common point of failure on garage doors, the stiles.

“We use anti-distortion end stiles and a 24 gauge steel skin on our doors,” explains Hunto. In hurricane-strength winds regular garage door end stiles endure enormous forces and often rotate, causing the garage door to “dump out” or give way.”

The article mentions a cost of around $1,200 and up for a Hurricane garage door.

Our question is what inexpensive and effective options are there for protecting your garage door?

Garage door retrofit kits. Secure Door* in Plantation, Florida sells the kits featured in the Bob Vila story and they appear to offer a lot of protection for the money. For $149.99 you can install one brace on your garage door (Secure Door’s recommendation for a single opening garage door). Secure Door recommends two or three braces for larger double-opening garage doors. Check them out on the web here. According to the story on BobVila.com:

“Retrofit kits like Secure Door’s products commonly include bracing systems that install on the inside of the garage door. Secure Door’s telescoping lightweight, high-strength aluminum braces install vertically through the header above the door and through floor mounts that are drilled into the concrete floor. The braces also attach through the hinges in the door itself to protect both from external pressure and internal negative pressure in a hurricane. “3 of our braces installed on a 7 foot by 16 foot garage door will protect up to 180 mph,” says Stumpff. “It takes about 40 minutes to retrofit the garage for our reinforcing braces, and all a homeowner needs is an electric drill, a 1?2 inch” masonry bit, an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver.” Once the garage has been retrofitted, the braces themselves take three to five minutes to actually attach in preparation for a storm.”

Any hitches?

Possibly – the retrofit kit for your garage door won’t do you a lot of good if your garage door is weakened from weather and old age.

So what are you waiting for? According to FLASH, the Federal Alliance for Home Safety, approximately 80% of residential Hurricane wind damage starts with wind entry through a garage door. Would you like to hear more about the threat that an unprotected garage door or other opening presents in a Hurricane? Flash.org has a fantastic video here that shows you how Hurricane winds compromise a structure and also graphically presents some solutions for protecting windows and doors (the information on garage doors is at the end of the video).

* A Big Wind Does Not Endorse Products
The appearance of third-party advertisements, sponsorship acknowledgements, or editorial links to third party products on ABigWind.com or its forum is not a guarantee or an endorsement by A Big Wind or any of our content partners, of the organization, product or service or the claims made for the product or service in such advertisement, sponsorship acknowledgement, or editorial link.

UPDATE 6/13 10:48 AM EST: Alberto is weakening and is a Tropical Storm.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS 50 MPH…WITH HIGHER GUSTS. Here is the latest advisory: 

TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO ADVISORY NUMBER  14
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL012006
1100 AM EDT TUE JUN 13 2006

…ALBERTO ABOUT TO MAKE LANDFALL…

AT 11 AM EDT…1500 UTC…THE HURRICANE WARNING IS CHANGED TO A
TROPICAL STORM WARNING FOR THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA FROM BAYPORT
NORTHWARD AND WESTWARD TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER.  ALL WARNINGS
SOUTH OF BAYPORT ARE DISCONTINUED.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE GULF COAST OF
FLORIDA FROM BAYPORT TO INDIAN PASS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST
FROM FLAGLER BEACH FLORIDA TO SOUTH SANTEE RIVER SOUTH CAROLINA.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 1100 AM EDT…1500Z…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 29.8 NORTH…LONGITUDE 83.8 WEST OR ABOUT 50
MILES… 80 KM…SOUTHEAST OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA.  THIS POSITION IS
JUST OFFSHORE OF KEATON BEACH FLORIDA.

ALBERTO IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHEAST NEAR 9 MPH…15 KM/HR…AND
THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TODAY.  ON THIS TRACK
THE CENTER WILL BE MOVING OVER NORTHERN FLORIDA AND INTO SOUTHERN
GEORGIA LATER TODAY AND THIS EVENING.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 50 MPH…85 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  WEAKENING WILL OCCUR AS THE CENTER MOVES OVER LAND TODAY.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115 MILES…185 KM
FROM THE CENTER…MAINLY OVER WATER.

AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT RECENTLY
REPORTED A MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE OF 996 MB…29.41 INCHES.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 5 TO 7 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS CAN BE EXPECTED MAINLY TO THE EAST AND SOUTH OF WHERE THE
CENTER MAKES LANDFALL. 

STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES…WITH ISOLATED
MAXIMUM AMOUNTS TO 10 INCHES…ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH WEDNESDAY
MORNING OVER ALL OF GEORGIA EXCEPT FOR THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE
STATE…OVER MUCH OF SOUTH CAROLINA EXCEPT FOR THE EXTREME WESTERN
PORTION OF THE STATE….AND INTO PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN NORTH
CAROLINA.  ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE OVER CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE FLORIDA
PENINSULA AND THE EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN
FLORIDA…SOUTHEASTERN GEORGIA…AND COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA
TODAY.

REPEATING THE 1100 AM EDT POSITION…29.8 N…83.8 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD…NORTHEAST NEAR 9 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…50 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…996 MB.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 200 PM EDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 500
PM EDT.

FORECASTER PASCH 

UPDATE 6/13 5:00 AM EST: Alberto is still a Tropical Storm.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS 65 MPH…WITH HIGHER GUSTS.

TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO ADVISORY NUMBER  13
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL012006
500 AM EDT TUE JUN 13 2006

…ALBERTO CONTINUES NORTHEASTWARD WITH NO CHANGE IN STRENGTH…

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA
FROM LONGBOAT KEY TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER.  PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.

AT 5 AM EDT…0900 UTC…THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING ALONG THE
ATLANTIC COAST HAS BEEN EXTENDED NORTHWARD TO SOUTH SANTEE RIVER
SOUTH CAROLINA. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE
ATLANTIC COAST FROM FLAGLER BEACH FLORIDA NORTHWARD TO SOUTH SANTEE
RIVER.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT SOUTH OF LONGBOAT KEY TO
ENGLEWOOD…AND WEST OF THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER TO INDIAN PASS.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 500 AM EDT…0900Z…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 29.2 NORTH…LONGITUDE 84.2 WEST OR ABOUT 60
MILES… 95 KM…SOUTHEAST OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA AND ABOUT 65
MILES…105 KM…WEST OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA.

ALBERTO IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHEAST NEAR 9 MPH…15 KM/HR…AND
THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL LANDFALL NEAR MIDDAY
TODAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 65 MPH…100 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  ALTHOUGH SOME POTENTIAL STILL EXISTS FOR RESTRENGTHENING…
THE LIKELIHOOD THAT ALBERTO WILL BECOME A HURRICANE PRIOR TO
LANDFALL IS DECREASING.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 175 MILES…280 KM
FROM THE CENTER.

THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY THE AIR FORCE
RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTERS WAS 995 MB…29.38 INCHES.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 7 TO 9 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS CAN BE EXPECTED MAINLY TO THE EAST AND SOUTH OF WHERE THE
CENTER MAKES LANDFALL. 

STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES…WITH ISOLATED
MAXIMUM AMOUNTS TO 10 INCHES…ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF
FLORIDA AND SOUTHERN GEORGIA THROUGH TODAY.  STORM TOTAL AMOUNTS OF
3 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED OVER SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE COASTAL
PLAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA THROUGH
WEDNESDAY.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND
NORTHERN FLORIDA…SOUTHERN GEORGIA…AND SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA
TODAY. 

REPEATING THE 500 AM EDT POSITION…29.2 N…84.2 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD…NORTHEAST NEAR 9 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…65 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…995 MB.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 800 AM EDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 1100
AM EDT.

FORECASTER FRANKLIN/MAINELLI 

UPDATE 10:39pm EST: Alberto is still a Tropical Storm but still forecast to become a hurricane by landfall.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS 70 MPH…WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  

TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO FORECAST/ADVISORY NUMBER  12
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL012006
0300Z TUE JUN 13 2006

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA
FROM LONGBOAT KEY TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.  PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT SOUTH OF LONGBOAT KEY TO
ENGLEWOOD… AND WEST OF THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER TO INDIAN PASS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR THE ATLANTIC COAST
FROM FLAGLER BEACH FLORIDA NORTHWARD TO THE SAVANNAH RIVER…AT THE
GEORGIA/SOUTH CAROLINA BORDER.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

TROPICAL STORM CENTER LOCATED NEAR 28.4N  84.6W AT 13/0300Z
POSITION ACCURATE WITHIN  30 NM

PRESENT MOVEMENT TOWARD THE NORTHEAST OR  40 DEGREES AT   9 KT

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE  995 MB
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS  60 KT WITH GUSTS TO  75 KT.
50 KT……. 60NE  60SE   0SW  30NW.
34 KT…….140NE 140SE   0SW  60NW.
12 FT SEAS..140NE 175SE 100SW 150NW.
WINDS AND SEAS VARY GREATLY IN EACH QUADRANT.  RADII IN NAUTICAL
MILES ARE THE LARGEST RADII EXPECTED ANYWHERE IN THAT QUADRANT.

REPEAT…CENTER LOCATED NEAR 28.4N  84.6W AT 13/0300Z
AT 13/0000Z CENTER WAS LOCATED NEAR 28.0N  84.9W

FORECAST VALID 13/1200Z 29.5N  83.7W
MAX WIND  65 KT…GUSTS  80 KT.
64 KT… 20NE  20SE   0SW   0NW.
50 KT… 40NE  40SE   0SW  30NW.
34 KT… 70NE 140SE   0SW  50NW.

FORECAST VALID 14/0000Z 31.1N  82.5W…INLAND BECOMING EXTRATROPICAL
MAX WIND  40 KT…GUSTS  50 KT.
34 KT…120NE 120SE   0SW   0NW.

FORECAST VALID 14/1200Z 33.1N  80.6W…INLAND EXTRATROPICAL
MAX WIND  30 KT…GUSTS  40 KT.

FORECAST VALID 15/0000Z 35.0N  77.2W…INLAND EXTRATROPICAL
MAX WIND  30 KT…GUSTS  40 KT.

FORECAST VALID 16/0000Z 39.5N  68.0W…OVER WATER EXTRATROPICAL
MAX WIND  40 KT…GUSTS  50 KT.
34 KT…200NE 200SE   0SW   0NW.

EXTENDED OUTLOOK. NOTE…ERRORS FOR TRACK HAVE AVERAGED NEAR 225 NM
ON DAY 4 AND 300 NM ON DAY 5…AND FOR INTENSITY NEAR 20 KT EACH DAY

OUTLOOK VALID 17/0000Z 44.0N  60.0W…EXTRATROPICAL
MAX WIND  40 KT…GUSTS  50 KT.

OUTLOOK VALID 18/0000Z 49.5N  50.0W…EXTRATROPICAL
MAX WIND  40 KT…GUSTS  50 KT.

REQUEST FOR 3 HOURLY SHIP REPORTS WITHIN 300 MILES OF 28.4N  84.6W

NEXT ADVISORY AT 13/0900Z

FORECASTER STEWART 

UPDATE 4:30pm EST: Alberto is still a Tropical Storm but still forecast to become a hurricane by landfall.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS 70 MPH…WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO ADVISORY NUMBER  11
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL012006
400 PM CDT MON JUN 12 2006 TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO ADVISORY NUMBER  11NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL012006400 PM CDT MON JUN 12 2006…ALBERTO CONTINUES HEADED FOR THE NORTHEAST GULF COAST…

 TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO ADVISORY NUMBER  11NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL012006400 PM CDT MON JUN 12 2006…ALBERTO CONTINUES HEADED FOR THE NORTHEAST GULF COAST…A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDAFROM LONGBOAT KEY TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER.A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.  PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT SOUTH OF LONGBOAT KEY TO
ENGLEWOOD…AND WEST OF THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER TO INDIAN PASS.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

AT 4 PM CDT…2100 UTC…A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED
FOR THE ATLANTIC COAST FROM FLAGLER BEACH FLORIDA NORTHWARD TO THE
SAVANNAH RIVER…AT THE GEORGIA/SOUTH CAROLINA BORDER.

AT 4 PM CDT…2100 UTC…THE TROPICAL STORM WATCH FROM SOUTH OF
ENGLEWOOD TO BONITA BEACH HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 400 PM CDT…2100Z…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 27.9 NORTH…LONGITUDE 85.1 WEST OR ABOUT 125
MILES…200 KM…SOUTH OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA AND ABOUT 145 MILES
…235 KM…SOUTHWEST OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA.

ALBERTO IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHEAST NEAR 10 MPH…17 KM/HR…AND
THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
THE CENTER COULD REACH THE COAST IN THE WARNING AREA EARLY
TUESDAY…HOWEVER CONDITIONS ARE ALREADY DETERIORATING IN THE
WARNED AREA. 

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 70 MPH…110 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  ALBERTO COULD BECOME A HURRICANE PRIOR TO LANDFALL.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 230 MILES…370
KM…TO THE NORTHEAST AND SOUTHEAST OF THE CENTER.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 8 TO 10 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS CAN BE EXPECTED OVER A LARGE PORTION OF THE WARNING AREA.

STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES…WITH ISOLATED
MAXIMUM AMOUNTS TO 10 INCHES…ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY ACROSS
PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN FLORIDA AND SOUTHEASTERN
GEORGIA…MAINLY ALONG AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE TRACK OF ALBERTO.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND
NORTHERN FLORIDA TODAY AND TONIGHT.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 997 MB…29.44 INCHES.

REPEATING THE 400 PM CDT POSITION…27.9 N…85.1 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD…NORTHEAST NEAR 10 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…70 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…997 MB.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 700 PM CDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 1000
PM CDT.

FORECASTER PASCH 

UPDATE 2:15pm EST: Alberto is strengthening and may reach hurricane strengh. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 70 MPH…WITH HIGHER GUSTS.

TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER  10A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL012006
100 PM CDT MON JUN 12 2006

…ALBERTO MOVING FASTER TOWARD THE NORTHEAST GULF OF MEXICO
COAST…

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA FROM
LONGBOAT KEY TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.  PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT SOUTH OF LONGBOAT KEY TO
ENGLEWOOD…AND WEST OF THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER TO INDIAN PASS.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SOUTH OF ENGLEWOOD TO
BONITA BEACH.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 100 PM CDT…1800Z…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 27.5 NORTH…LONGITUDE 85.4 WEST OR ABOUT
155 MILES…250 KM…SOUTH OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA AND ABOUT 180
MILES…285 KM…SOUTHWEST OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA.

ALBERTO IS NOW MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHEAST NEAR 10 MPH…16 KM/HR
…AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24
HOURS.  THE CENTER COULD REACH THE COAST IN THE WARNING AREA EARLY
TUESDAY…HOWEVER CONDITIONS ARE ALREADY DETERIORATING IN THE
WARNING AREA.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 70 MPH…110 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  ALBERTO HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A HURRICANE BEFORE
MAKING LANDFALL.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 230 MILES…370
KM…TO THE NORTHEAST AND SOUTHEAST OF THE CENTER.  THE LARGE EXTENT
OF TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS MEANS THAT THESE WINDS WILL BE FELT
ALONG THE COAST WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE CENTER.

THE HURRICANE HUNTERS REPORTED A MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE OF 997
MB…29.44 INCHES.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 8 TO 10 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS CAN BE EXPECTED OVER A LARGE PORTION OF THE WARNING AREA.

STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES…WITH ISOLATED
MAXIMUM AMOUNTS TO 10 INCHES…ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY ACROSS
PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN FLORIDA AND SOUTHEASTERN
GEORGIA…MAINLY ALONG AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE TRACK OF ALBERTO.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER CENTRAL FLORIDA TODAY AND
TONIGHT.

REPEATING THE 100 PM CDT POSITION…27.5 N…85.4 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD…NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 10 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…70
MPH.  MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…997 MB.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL
HURRICANE CENTER AT 400 PM CDT.

FORECASTER PASCH

UPDATE 6/12 10:56 am EST: Alberto is strengthening and may reach hurricane strengh. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 70 MPH…WITH HIGHER GUSTS.

TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO ADVISORY NUMBER 10
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL012006
1000 AM CDT MON JUN 12 2006

…AIR FORCE PLANE FINDS ALBERTO LOCATED FARTHER TO THE NORTHEAST
AND STRONGER…

AT 10 AM CDT…1500 UTC…A HURRICANE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR
THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA FROM LONGBOAT KEY TO THE OCHLOCKONEE
RIVER.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT SOUTH OF LONGBOAT KEY TO
ENGLEWOOD…AND WEST OF THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER TO INDIAN PASS.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SOUTH OF ENGLEWOOD TO
BONITA BEACH.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

REPORTS FROM AN AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER PLANE INDICATE THAT THE
CENTER OF ALBERTO HAS REFORMED TO THE NORTHEAST OF ITS PREVIOUS
LOCATION.

AT 1000 AM CDT…1500Z…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO WAS
RELOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 27.1 NORTH…LONGITUDE 85.9 WEST OR ABOUT
190 MILES…300 KM…SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA AND
ABOUT 220 MILES…355 KM…SOUTHWEST OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA.

ALBERTO IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 7 MPH…11 KM/HR
…AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24
HOURS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 70 MPH…110
KM/HR…WITH HIGHER GUSTS. ALBERTO HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A
HURRICANE WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 230 MILES…370
KM…TO THE NORTHEAST AND SOUTHEAST OF THE CENTER. THE LARGE EXTENT
OF TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS MEANS THAT THESE WINDS WILL BE FELT
ALONG THE COAST WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE CENTER.

THE HURRICANE HUNTERS RECENTLY REPORTED A MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE
OF 997 MB…29.44 INCHES.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 8 TO 10 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS CAN BE EXPECTED OVER A LARGE PORTION OF THE WARNING AREA.

STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES…WITH ISOLATED
MAXIMUM AMOUNTS TO 10 INCHES…ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY ACROSS
PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN FLORIDA AND SOUTHEASTERN
GEORGIA…MAINLY ALONG AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE TRACK OF ALBERTO.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER CENTRAL FLORIDA TODAY AND
TONIGHT.

REPEATING THE 1000 AM CDT POSITION…27.1 N…85.9 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD…NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 7 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…70
MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…997 MB.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 100 PM CDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 400
PM CDT.

FORECASTER PASCH

Update 8:00 am EST: Max winds are at 5O mph with higher gusts:

TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 9A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL012006
700 AM CDT MON JUN 12 2006

…ALBERTO HEADED FOR THE NORTHEAST GULF OF MEXICO COAST…

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA
FROM ENGLEWOOD TO INDIAN PASS. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT
TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA
WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SOUTH OF ENGLEWOOD TO
BONITA BEACH.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 700 AM CDT…1200Z…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 26.7 NORTH…LONGITUDE 87.0 WEST OR ABOUT 240
MILES…390 KM…SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA AND ABOUT
295 MILES…475 KM…SOUTHWEST OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA.

ALBERTO IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 8 MPH…13 KM/HR
…AND A TURN TO THE NORTHEAST IS EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 50 MPH…85 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. SOME ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT
24 HOURS. AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT IS
APPROACHING THE CENTER OF ALBERTO.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 230 MILES…370
KM…TO THE NORTHEAST AND SOUTHEAST OF THE CENTER. THE LARGE EXTENT
OF TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS MEANS THAT THESE WINDS WILL BE FELT
ALONG THE COAST WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE CENTER.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1001 MB…29.56 INCHES.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 6 TO 8 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS…CAN BE EXPECTED OVER A LARGE PORTION OF THE WARNING AREA.

STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES…WITH ISOLATED
MAXIMUM AMOUNTS TO 10 INCHES…ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY ACROSS
PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN FLORIDA AND SOUTHEASTERN
GEORGIA…MAINLY ALONG AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE TRACK OF ALBERTO.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER WEST-CENTRAL AND NORTHWESTERN
FLORIDA TONIGHT.

REPEATING THE 700 AM CDT POSITION…26.7 N…87.0 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD…NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 8 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…50
MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1001 MB.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL
HURRICANE CENTER AT 1000 AM CDT.

FORECASTER PASCH

Our recent story on plywood shutters illuminated the fact that there appears to be outdated (and certainly inconsistent information) about installing plywood shutters being indexed on highly prominent search engines on the Internet.

This month, you’ll see a lot more feature stories about plywood Hurricane Shutters on A Big Wind because we feel it’s one of the most useful things we can do to help people RIGHT NOW to protect their home or business. If you’re reading this web site then it means you are out on the Internet searching for Hurricane protection products and there’s a good chance that even if you order shutters or impact windows today, that they won’t be installed this season. That means that plywood may be the only option still available to protect your home or business in time for this season’s storms. According to FLASH.org (Federal Alliance for Safe Home), effective January 2005, Plywood has been tested to meet codes for a 130 mph wind.

Let’s put our recent story on plywood Hurricane shutters in context.

Four points:

1) Good or bad – due to their low relative cost plywood shutters are the most popular shutter solution around Hurricane Country for protecting your home and business.

2) People will use the Internet to find information about how to properly install plywood Hurricane Shutters.

3) People using the Internet will naturally trust known Hurricane experts like NOAA, the Red Cross, FEMA, and their local newspaper and T.V station to give them information on correct plywood Hurricane shutter installation.

4) The latest recommendations on plywood Hurricane shutter installation HAVE changed. People expect the Internet and Television to have the LATEST information vs. a book or other printed information that isn’t expected to have the same currency.

Point one: What Hurricane shutter solution will be the number one choice for the overwhelming majority of consumers and small businesses in Hurricane Country? Right – plywood. People either don’t have the money, resources or time to get more expensive steel shutters, impact windows or other solutions installed. Plus, the huge spike in demand for Hurricane protection products like shutters and impact windows have created long wait times this Hurricane season (typically 8-30 weeks). If you don’t already have your shutters or impact windows in place you’re going to be putting up plywood or you’ll be risking life and property unnecessarily.

Point two: 7 in 10 Internet searches will be performed using either Google or Yahoo! That’s why A Big Wind is very concerned that Google’s number one search result on a key word search for ‘Hurricane Shutters’ or more specifically ‘hurricane shutter installation’ turns up an outdated page that’s still running on NOAA’s servers as we detailed here in our past story. On Yahoo! the NOAA page is the number 5 result. Now keep in mind that when you go directly to NOAA’s web site they link to the more current shutter installation information that recommends that your plywood overlap the opening of your window or door, vs. the older inset method featured on the outdated page that still ‘lives’ on the web.

Point three: It’s not just the NOAA page. The Red Cross, another trusted source for Hurricane information has the newer overlap information but features a recommendation to drill holes in your plywood to deal with Hurricane pressures. Hmmmmm? Is this even a recommendation anymore? It is not mentioned in the very latest FEMA guidelines. And guess which prominent newspaper’s printed and online 2006 Hurricane Guide featured the old inset plywood installation method? The South Florida Sun-Sentinel whose latest guide goes on to say of plywood shutter installations

“If you decide to use this system, it is important to install the shutters correctly.” before mentioning the old inset installation method.

Yikes! Who has the correct facts here? I wonder if the Sun-Sentinel’s researchers ‘Googled’ their information and clicked on the number one search result link, naturally deferring to NOAA’s expert status in the Hurricane Field? And for all the criticism leveled at FEMA for their handling of Katrina we’re happy to report that FEMA has all the latest information on shutter installation on their web site and printed material. Further, FEMA is out publicizing this information at Hurricane expos and home shows like the Ft. Lauderdale Home Show that we recently attended. Our tax dollars at work I guess.

Point four: We’ve been through a lot of Hurricanes since Andrew. What’s changed in installer recommendations for plywood? Namely, you don’t see any recent references to drilling holes in your plywood and you don’t see contractors recommending the inset installation method. Though we’d still love to hear from an experienced engineer or contractor who can give us a good description on some of the differences between these methods. It’s great to know the latest info but it would be interesting to know WHY the installation procedures changed. Again, since plywood shutters are the MOST common method of protecting structures from Hurricane damage it’s something we should all know a lot more about.

As mentioned in our last story A Big Wind is contacting the organizations we’ve found publishing outdated information to ask them to validate their information or potentially update or take down old web site pages.

P.S. Want a great online tool that helps you quickly compare the cost and pros and cons of plywood vs. other Hurricane shutter or impact window solutions? Use the Shutter Tool that FLASH (Federal Alliance for Home Safety) has on their web site – we love it!

High winds and debris can break unprotected windows and then enter your house. Once inside, wind and debris can cause more damage. Protecting windows not only helps you avoid damage to your house, it also reduces the likelihood that you or members of your family will be hurt by broken glass and debris.

Since so many citizens are using the web as a resource for hurricane preparedness information, A Big Wind wanted to see what came up on Google and Yahoo if you did a search for “hurricane shutters” or “hurricane shutter installation.” On Google, the link that came to the very top of the organic search results (i.e. not the Sponsored Links) – was an OLD NOAA link from 2000 with questionable information about shutter installation. The same link came up as #5 on Yahoo.

From what we have read, FEMA recommends using permanent storm shutters if possible. If you are using plywood – their latest recommendation for plywood shutter installation says to OVERLAP the window and there is NO mention of needing holes for pressurization.

This NOAA link at the top of search results for “hurricane shutters” however loads a page entitled, A Short Lesson in Building Effective Shutters. The info on the page was originally presented at the Impact of Climatic Variations on the Caribbean region Hurricanes Meeting, July 20-21, 1999 in Miami, Florida. There is information that is still consistent with the latest thinking that plywood shutters are an inexpensive alternative to commercial shutters, but it should be noted that they do NOT meet the specification of the South Florida Building Code and they do require a good deal of physical labor to manufacture and install them. According to the page:

“You should use at least 5/8 inch exterior grade plywood, which is substantial enough to sustain an impact by windborne debris, but which is also heavy and hard to work with. You should also buy heavy duty 3 or 4 inch barrel bolts, at least four per panel, more for larger openings. The better the quality of materials you use the less likely they will fail in a hurricane.”

Now here is the questionable part:

“There ought to be at least 2 inches inset of the window from the exterior wall since the plywood will be mounted inside this recess. For windows and doors without enough inset you may have to fasten the plywood to the outside wall, which makes them vulnerable to being pulled off by high winds.

Each window and door to be covered should be carefully measured and a piece of plywood cut to fit snugly inside the opening.”

We also found a local red Red Cross site that still had OLD instructions to relieve pressure during the hurricane:

“Cut the plywood to the measurements for each opening. Drill holes 2 1 /2 inches from the outside edge of the plywood at each corner and at 12-inch intervals. Drill four holes in the center area of the plywood to relieve pressure during a hurricane.”

Lesson: Don’t believe everything that is out there on the web, even from resources such as NOAA. Standards have changed and we learn more from every disaster. Make sure you have the most up to date information possible to protect yourself and your family.

2006 FEMA TIPS for installing temporary plywood covers:

• - You should always consider using permanent storm shutters if you live in an area where you know you will need to act quickly to protect your windows.

- If you decide to use temporary plywood covers, you may want to hire a contractor or handyman to make them for you. If you do the work yourself, you will need to cut the plywood and drill holes for screws or lag bolts in each cover and in the wall around each window. The screws or lag bolts should be placed along the top, bottom, and sides of each cover, and they should be long enough to penetrate the wall studs around the window, not just the siding or wall covering.

- Don’t wait until a hurricane warning is issued to make the covers; you probably won’t have time. Make them now so that you’ll be ready to install them quickly. Store the mounting screws or lag bolts with the covers, in a place where they are readily accessible — don’t stack heavy boxes or other hard-to-move materials on top of or around the covers. Use a numbering or lettering system that shows which cover goes with which window.

Are there any contractors or engineers out there that can validate this information? A Big Wind is going to help contact the owners of these old pages that are still out on the web and being indexed by search engines and recommend that they ar removed or updated. Old information that is circulating on the web could have negative effects that were never intended.

UPDATE: There is a lively and very informative discussion here that was started a year ago regarding plywood and other types of shutters and shutter products on Mark Treadwell’s blog. Mark is a self described “knowledgeable homeowner who just also happens to be an Aerospace Engineer as well as experienced in other types of engineering.” You can find all of his hurricane posts here. Great tips Mark – thanks!

If you live in a condo or other property controlled by an association in Florida you may not know that you’re within your legal rights to put up Hurricane shutters even if your association says you can’t.

According to an article filed by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel today author Joe Kollin writes:

“The law says condo associations can specify colors or styles of shutters, but can’t ban them, even if the buildings have hurricane-resistant glass.”

Although this law specifically pertains to Florida it’s important to know your rights in states all over Hurricane Country. We’ve contacted the State Attorney General’s offices for Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and the Carolinas today asking to help identify any similar laws in their states. We’ll report the results of our research back here. Do you live somewhere else in Hurricane Country? Contact your State Attorney General and ask them what your legal rights are. Let us know what you find!

The article in the Sun-Sentinel goes on to mention a specific association that took the stand that since the condo already had impact resistant windows there was no need to install shutters. Hmmmm. Impact windows are a great way to protect your dwelling or small business against wind borne debris. What many people don’t know is that many Hurricane, or impact resistant windows are only tested to withstand a nine-pound two-by-four hurtled at the window at 34 miles per hour. Shutters as well. This is the testing overseen by Miami-Dade County and is referred to as the large missile test. Keep in mind that Miami-Dade presently has the strictest test protocols in the country for wind-borne debris, air and water tests. A category four Hurricane has winds of 130-155 mph on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale and certainly has the power to hurtle a nine pound piece of debris like a two-by-four at your window. Even a category three hurricane has the potential to break expensive impact resistant windows. Where am I going with this?

Two things. First, although an expensive option, some individuals want the added protection that a shutter/impact window combination gives them. Second, and perhaps more practically speaking for those of us on a budget, some people want window protection in the form of shutters so that their expensive impact windows don’t get shattered. Why? While your insurance may cover the cost to replace any impact glass that was damaged in a storm there’s a strong chance that your insurance deductible may well be in excess of the cost of having the windows replaced yourself. So, protecting your impact windows with shutters of some kind can actually become a cost saving strategy while also substantially increasing your protection against wind born debris.

In future stories we’ll write more about small and large missile testing and define some important terms that you should understand around these tests, especially as they relate to marketing and sales materials and tactics that are getting consumers into trouble all over Hurricane Country.

There’s talk today that the ingredients for Alberto, which will be the first named storm of the season, may be brewing out in the Atlantic. Reports are already being filed all over Hurricane Country to keep an eye out for Invest90, not even a tropical depression yet, never mind a named storm. Be that as it may The National Hurricane Center isn’t ruling out that the weather pattern could become something more.

What we’re interested to learn is what level of storm activity will be needed to inspire us to get out and really get prepared?

We had a recent conversation with fellow Hurricane blogger Margaret Saizan over at her blog Beyond Hurricane Katrina (great blog). In our blogversation here we exchanged comments about storm preparation activity in Baton Rouge where Margaret reports little to no visible storm prep activity. Margaret goes on to speculate that once the first storm shows up, our aforementioned pal Alberto, that people will finally spring into action. We agree. But why wait? Want to waste a couple of hours standing in line? Better yet, how about staring in angst at empty shelves where tapcons, batteries, propane or water used to be?

Any good news? Well, across the street from our house our neighbor is overseeing the final stages of installation for their new PGT impact resistant windows and doors*. The windows and sparkly new front door look good. Given the average 8 to 30 week wait time here in South Florida to get impact windows installed, I have to say that it is comforting to know that at least one neighbor was truly thinking ahead. Down the street an old roof has just been stripped off another neighbor’s house and the new roof is about to go up. So, here in our neck of the woods in South Florida I’d say that there are some recent signs of the truly prepared being ready.

How about in your town? What are you seeing? Did your state offer you tax-free purchases on Hurricane Supplies? Have you seen any accordion, Bahama, roll-up shutters, or impact windows being installed in your neighborhood?

*A Big Wind does not endorse any Hurricane protection products or services but we do write stories, reviews and share information about products and services that help our readers make informed purchase decisions.

-Big Wind

All across Hurricane Country people have ordered Hurricane shutters, impact windows, and power generators and they’re still waiting for them to show up. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who ordered a generator from Michael Scheffler, of Pioneer Electric in Boca Raton, Florida then you may be on permanent hold.

According to an article published June 6, 2006 The Palm Beach Post’s Stephanie Slater and Eliot Kleinberg wrote that Scheffler was arrested on May 31 on:

“16 criminal counts, including contracting without a license, conducting unlicensed electrical contracting during an emergency, falsely identifying himself as a contractor and grand theft, a felony. He was released from the Broward County Jail Friday night after posting $8,400 bond.”

• Scheffler ran ads in the local newspaper saying he would install generators – work that requires a contractor’s license.
• Allegedly he took more than $10,000 from four people but never installed their whole-house generators
• Detectives expect to file additional charges against Scheffler, 65, on behalf of five other victims, Sheriff’s spokesman Hugh Graf said.
• A dozen other consumers have come forward to the Sheriff’s office since they’re heard about Scheffler’s arrest to lodge similar complaints.

Tales like this show up in the press almost daily and with all the hype around Hurricane protection products it’s clear that opportunists are getting into the business in one form or another and people are loosing their money because of it.

How can you protect yourself against the kind of scheme that Scheffler of Pioneer Electric is accused of? We published an article here that gives you some good tips on how to easily protect yourself.

Tell us how you research the background of a business before giving them your hard earned cash? Have you ever uncovered someone lying to you or using unscrupulous tactics? Been burned? Although it’s not fun to admit you’ve been duped (most of us have been at one time or another), by posting your stories here you can help others avoid the same fate.

Have something to share or ask about getting a power generator for your home or small business? Head over to our Hurricane Protection Forum http://forums.abigwind.com/index.php and add your comments, questions or reviews on products and contractors/installers:

• Hurricane Protection Products and Equipment
• Hurricane Protections Providers, Contractors, Installers

Remember you can also send your private comments, questions and suggestions to me directly at bigw@abigwind.com – I’d love to hear from you.

- Big Wind

A recent rash of arrests in South Florida surround individuals who are using a companies’ name or contractor’s license number to defraud the public who are looking for Hurricane protection or home repair.

In a story filed by The Miami Herald on June 4, 2006, Melissa Sanchez writes,

“The man Blank hired — John Sandlin — did work for National Roofing, the company a friend had recommended to her. But he was a salesman, not a licensed contractor. In March, BSO arrested Sandlin, 34, on charges of contracting without a license during a state of emergency, presenting the license of another contractor during a state of emergency and grand theft. The Broward State Attorney’s office plans to take him to trial in August.”

According to The Herald story:

“Another case in Davie, ended last week with the arrest of two unlicensed contractors who didn’t work for the roofing company they claimed to represent. The two men — David Marks, 38, and Gus Ranko, 39 — were charged with grand theft, operating as unlicensed roofers and exploitation of the elderly.”

How do you deal with this?

You can start by not being fooled by business cards, a company name on the truck, or polo shirts with logos on them. Yes, these are all marks of a legitimate business but they’re also easy for individuals to purchase on their own to use in ‘looking the part.’ The good news is that 5-10 minures and a couple of quick phone calls will flush out any Hurriance scammers. How?

Plan a quick call to the company after your estimate to make sure the ‘employee’ is legitimate. Don’t just trust the phone number on the business card, check it against the number listed in the Yellow Pages or Directory Assistance (411) to make sure you’re really calling who you think you are. Don’t stop there.

What other quick ways can you check the background of the individual and company you are considering working with?

1. Check their contractor’s license with the state you are in. You’ll find a list at the end of this story.
2. Call the better business bureau and check for complaints. You’ll find a link at the end of this story to search the BBB national database as well as a way to lookup your local BBB office.
3. Use an online search engine to search on the companies and individual’s name/s (this is a great way to quickly catch individuals or companies that may have already been caught in another county or state).
4. References. Ask for three references in the area and CALL them. Many people fail to ask for references and even more fail to actually check them. Check them! Make one of the references a trade reference. Reputable contractors and service providers do business with local building suppliers. If they’ve just set up business with these trade references you might do well to dig even deeper vs. a contractor who has had a relationship with an 84 Lumber for 10 years. What do you ask? A few simple questions gets you the information you need. a) Does the business know the company and individual? b) Have they had any problems with them c) how long have they had an account with the business?

And don’t forget to trust your gut and common sense. If something feels off why not listen to your instincts and just deal with another company? Even if they are a legitimate company the uneasy feeling you may have may just be a sign that they won’t be easy to do business with or won’t do a quality job.

Resources

Check a contractor’s license with the States from all over Hurricane Country:

Florida web site. Executive Director: G.W. Harrell 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1039 Phone: 850.487.1395

Georgia web site. Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board 237 Coliseum Drive Macon, Georgia 31217-3858 Phone:(912) 207-1416

South Carolina web site for residential and commercial contractors.

Residential Contractors: Synergy Business Park Kingstree Building 110 Centerview Dr., Suite 306 Columbia, SC 29210 Phone: (803) 896-4696

Commercial contractors (commercial contractors can perform both commercial and residential work in South Carolina). Synergy Business Park Kingstree Building 110 Centerview Drive, Compliance Suite 102 Licensing Suite 201 Columbia, SC 29210 Phone: (803) 896-4686.

North Carolina web site. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors 3739 National Drive, Suite 225, Raleigh, NC 27612 Phone: 919 571-4183

Mississippi web site Phone: 601-354-6161

Louisiana web site. LOUISIANA STATE LICENSING BOARD FOR CONTRACTORS 2525 Quail Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Phone: (225) 765-2301

Texas does not license general contractors but other trades are controlled by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and you search different type of licenses from their home page here. In addition the Texas Attorney General has some good tips (even if you’re not in Texas) on how to protect yourself against home improvement scams.

Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints against the company:

Search the national BBB site here.

Search for local chapters of the BBB from this page.