A Recipe For Disaster

Hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters are threatening our buildings and communities — here’s what can be done

- Matthew Flynn

From hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Florida, and the Carolinas to wildfires breaking out across California, natural disasters have proven their ability to wreak indiscriminate havoc and destruction across North America. While it seems to be the case that there is very little that can be done to completely eliminate the threat of such disasters, there are steps that can be taken to minimize their catastrophic effect.

In Puerto Rico, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria caused so much damage that the Puerto Rican government estimates it will cost $139 billion to fully recover. Meanwhile the Camp and Woolsey wildfires that ravaged California last November cost the state more than $118 million to fight and led to as much as $19 billion in property damage. This is without even mentioning the lives lost during the tragedies. Anything that can be done to mitigate such losses is worth exploring.

The IBHS Research Center

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Research Center, located in Richburg, S.C., could be critical to developing structures that can withstand wildfires, hurricanes, and other disasters. IBHS is a research organization funded by insurers and dedicated to research and testing that will lead to safer homes, businesses, and communities.