STORMS & DISASTERS
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This is the fourth installment of Bob Vila’s Most Valuable Projects of 2023, a month-long series featuring high-ROI h...
Tornados are among the most terrifying natural disasters. While they’re more localized than a hurricane or earthquake...
Home generators come in several sizes with a range of power outputs. Having one when the power goes out can ensure fa...
Summertime is fun time, but it also comes with bouts of extreme heat in many areas. That often leads to increased dem...
Can your garden handle Mother Nature’s ever-changing weather systems? Between the seasonal shifts and abnormal weathe...
What is a flash flood? Imagine tens of thousands of gallons of fast-moving water arriving with little or no warning. ...
An evacuation order can happen when we least expect it. Being told to leave your home—sometimes immediately—can be sc...
Hurricanes and flooding cause significant damage to several regions of the United States each year. The National Cent...
When the power goes out, staying informed is a matter of safety. Most of us carry a cell phone wherever we go, but wi...
Climate change is a reality—and a sad one at that for many. Wildfires and other natural disasters have led some insur...
Power outages are usually the result of extreme weather events such as high winds, lightning strikes, or ice buildup ...
National Average: $100Homeowners in coastal, hilly, or exposed areas of the country know their homes could be at ri...
Those who live in coastal regions in the Southern U. S. know all too well about the damage and destruction a hurrican...
Highlights Water damage restoration typically costs between $1,305 and $5,707, with customers paying a national aver...
Highlights The typical range for hurricane window costs is $3,083 to $15,721, with a national average of $10,005. H...
Shake, shiver, and shovel. According to the Farmers' Almanac winter forecast, that’s what many of us will be doing du...
Hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and excessive demands on the electrical grid can lead to power outages in the s...
July’s longer days and warmer weather mean there's plenty of good reason to be outside—and no shortage of tasks to ta...
Wildfire smoke can lead to dangerous air quality both outdoors and indoors, as millions of Americans are learning thi...
Tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and other types of natural disasters can be terrifying. Fearing for the safety of y...
You may recall learning about the 1930s Dust Bowl in history class. Droughts come and go, but the extreme drought cur...
Q: Recent power outages prompted me to buy a portable generator, but it operates on gas, so I need to set it up outsi...
Highlights The typical range for storm shelter costs is $2,604 to $11,475, with homeowners nationwide paying an aver...
When strong winter storms hit, many people stay safe and warm indoors until the poor weather has cleared up. However,...
Given that the average American home contains some 300,000 individual items, it is no wonder that most people have a ...
First-time homeowners might be surprised at some of the things that they are responsible for maintaining, such as hav...
This article is sponsored by Harbor Freight. In the past few years, we’ve seen the increased devastation that weather...
Whether the home takes on just a few inches of water or the entire basement is full, floods aren’t fun to deal with a...
Those who live in areas where snow falls throughout the winter may marvel at its beauty, but dread the work it brings...
Some flood damage is immediately visible—cars, trash cans, and even trees swept away by strong currents. When the wat...
These products are at risk of selling out this winter, so get them while you still can.
Want to be notified if there's a tornado coming your way, or need a way to communicate with others if cell phone towers are down? These emergency and weather apps...
Don’t let a slow start to the 2022 hurricane season—with little to no organized activity in the Atlantic Ocean in Jul...
You never know when an emergency will happen. Always be prepared with this bug-out bag checklist.
Tornado season is when the U. S. sees the most tornado watches, warnings, and touchdowns, but precisely when is torna...
Typical Range: $1,950 to $6,094 National Average: $4,022Hurricane season is a yearly concern for many people livin...
Does excess rainwater cause problems for your landscape? Corral it to make a right-as-rain garden for pollinators.
Generators use fuel sources like gasoline, natural gas, or solar energy to produce electricity, so that you can power...
Prepare for an outage with these essential devices.
Weather-related emergencies are often unpredictable, which means keeping informed about the latest developments can m...
If you live in an area where tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and other potentially disastrous weather events may oc...
Unlike standard radios, emergency radios can receive warnings and notifications from very high-frequency (VHF) public...
If you live in an area susceptible to tropical storms and hurricanes, you may want to consider installing hurricane s...
When the weather turns chilly and heavy snow blankets a home’s driveway, shoveling snow becomes a routine task. Altho...
From closing down the deck and garden to making sure your heating system is working, there’s plenty to be done in the autumn months. Which tasks will you take on ...
Hurricanes strike with deadly power. Use these tips to ride out the next storm in safety!
During the calm before the storm, learn how you can stay safe and protect your family and home from potential disaster.
Strengthen community spirit during the time of Covid-19 by following expert advice and pooling talents and resources to keep everyone safe.
Take preventative measures and be prepared for worst-case scenarios with these home safety essentials.
Q: Last night, the power went out and, luckily, came back on only an hour later—soon enough for the food in the fridg...
When summer gives way to autumn, it’s time to open the doors and welcome natural light and fresh air into the house. ...
Major storms in recent years have spurred many homeowners to consider whether it might be wise to purchase a generato...
No one likes to think about the possibility of fire, flood, storm damage, or theft. But should such a disaster occur,...
If you’ve spotted flickering lights, tripped circuits, or prolonged overheating of any of the electronic devices in y...
Terrifying storms that can level houses and rip large trees from the ground, hurricanes are among the most powerful forces of nature. The <a href="https://www.nhc...
Basement flooding easily ranks among the top ten homeowner nightmares. Though recovering from a flood certainly isn't...
Q: After a recent snowstorm, a large band of ice formed above the edge of my roof and created some heavy icicles as w...
Follow these tips to ensure your home and family are ready for the snowy conditions.
It's one thing to leave your home unattended for a few hours. But when you're preparing to go away for a period of da...
Q: We just experienced a strong thunderstorm, during which a tree blew over on our house! We have no experience with ...
Summer is upon us, and with it come visions of long lazy days relaxing in the sunshine. This summer weather, however,...
When disaster strikes, how prepared are you to handle the fallout? It pays to prep for all manner of calamity—from power outages and house fires to extreme weathe...
Did you know that in the United States fires kill more people than all non-fire natural disasters combined? Perhaps e...
If storm water races from your yard and across the next lawn over after every heavy rain—washing out a flowerbed and ...
With severe weather events becoming ever more common, it may be wise to prepare for the possibility of your home bein...
Hurricane Sandy served as a stark reminder that in every part of the country, severe storms pose a grave threat. To g...
Flood alarms have been around in one form or another for decades. At its most basic, the technology isn't new. But of...
All too often, it seems tragic house fires lead the evening newscast. If you’re looking for better ways to protect yo...
With the exception of fire, water poses the greatest threat to our homes, whether it's a slow-and-steady leak or a su...
Is it a MacGyver-style party trick or a practical skill for managing power-outtage emergencies? We're not positive, b...
Whether it’s a Category 5 hurricane or the coming of the zombie apocalypse, you never know exactly when a disaster might strike. Whatever the coming calamity may ...
Hurricane season is here, so we've been digging through our emergency kits to double-check our preparedness. Water bo...
Beautiful trees enhance the look and value of residential properties, so no wonder people spend so much time trying t...
What a huge job it is to clean up a flooded basement! But the job can be a lot less of a headache if you keep some ke...
We used to think of late summer and early fall as the storm season, but with all the unpredictable weather lately, it...
If you ask most people where they feel the safest, chances are the answer will be in their own home. But home safety depends on a variety of factors, and potentia...
The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially true when it comes to storm emergencies...
In an ideal world, there’d be no basement flooding. But in reality, despite our best efforts to address the underlyin...
Loss of the roofing causes the greatest amount of damage from hurricanes. Construction techniques have been develope...
Late on October 29th, 2012, Hurricane Sandy pushed seawater across the 800 yards that separate Long Island Sound from...
No matter where you live, chances are there is some kind of weather or geologic condition, such as hurricanes and hig...
Extreme heat or cold, moisture, and prolonged exposure to the sun all take their toll on the exterior of our homes. W...
In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew’s devastation in 1992, the building codes in many coastal counties and storm-thr...
There are growing number of businesses in coastal areas selling and installing storm shutters. As all shutters are no...
If a disaster strikes, will you be ready? Here’s how to prepare and respond to most natural emergencies. "Emergencies...
Impact-resistant windows consist of impact-resistant glass surrounded by a heavy-duty frame that is securely fastened...
Hurricane winds deliver force to building exteriors and elements. It is by far the debris these winds carry that most...
There are certain signs of spring we all welcome: cheery daffodils, increased daylight, and the chirping of birds returning from their winter vacations. Along wit...
Installing a storm door might seem like a daunting, time-consuming task, but advances in manufacturing and design hav...
Natural disasters can occur anywhere, any time. No matter where you live, you should keep a stash of emergency suppli...
It's heartbreaking enough to lose your home or possessions in a natural disaster. Then there’s the stress of having t...
[Editor's Note: At time of posting, Hurricane Sandy is still hundreds of miles off the Atlantic coast and has yet to ...
You’ve heard it said that you’ve got a better chance of being struck by lighting than winning the lottery, and that’s...
To be sure that the outside of your home is safe and insurable, review the exterior for overall safety. Aside from al...
Lightweight, strong, and easy-to-install, today's fabric storm “shutters” are manufactured to withstand the force of ...
Architect Mary Kennedy and Bob tour her Georgian Colonial family home in Westchester County, NY. After a flood ruined the house, the challenge was to salvage and ...
Bob meets with the installer of the new HVAC system to discuss how it filters air and reduces energy costs.
Basement drainage systems are installed to control moisture and humidity and to eliminate rot and mildew.
Bob meets with a local real estate broker and with homeowner Sarah Monzon, whose basement will be finished to create additional family space.
Bob discusses the installation of a plastic subfloor to prevent water damage and the selection of a basement dehumidifier.
Bob meets with Jack Ballantine to discuss and install Maple kitchen cabinets.
Leslie Chapman-Henderson from the Federal Alliance for Safe Housing (FLASH) discusses storm-resistant soffit details with Bob. Todd Davison from FEMA is with Bob ...
Jim McLaughlin and Bob spray a finish coat of Flex Lox Masonry coating on the exterior.
Bob joins Tom McNealy to excavate and pour a gunite cement swimming pool.
Bob meets with Electrician Harry Cunningham to install a backup generator.
Bob meets with Jesse Gonzales to install an impact-resistant front door, electrician Jose Rodriguez to install wiring and plumber Dan Gerry to learn how to work w...
Bob works with Scott and Aaron Renfroe to install impact-resistant windows and sliding doors.
Bob works with Dave Olmstead on final stages of creating an impact-resistant window.
Bob visits PGT Industries to learn what it takes to make impact-resistant windows.
Bob meets with Bart Cox and Dave Peck to explain how to create a storm-ready roofing system.
Bob meets with Jesse Gonzales to learn more about steel reinforcements and storm-resistant roofing.
Bob meets with Leslie Chapman-Henderson from the Federal Alliance for Safe Housing (FLASH) and Randy Shackelford to discuss an assortment of storm-resistant roof ...
Mark Newton and Jesse Gonzales explain what happens when the metal frames are removed from the poured walls, then they apply a three-coat plaster.
Bob is joined by Jim Crain who will take him through the process of pouring cement walls. Mark Newton joins Bob as the pour begins.
Cameron Parker shows Bob the Solid Wall System and explains how it works. Bob recaps the foundation process.
Bob meets Mark Newton of Solid Wall Systems to learn about the solid-pour walls that will frame a storm-resistant home.
Bob joins Leslie Chapman-Henderson from FLASH -- Federal Alliance for Safe Housing -- to look at two homes on the same street. One was completely destroyed the o...
Bob meets with FLASH—Federal Alliance for Safe Housing and FEMA—Federal Emergency Management Agency, to learn how homeowners can protect their homes from damaging...
Bob tours the open-plan family room and meets with Cecile to discuss cookware and accessories. Then he meets Meg Tarvin they move to the poolside lanai and the f...
Bob does a walkthrough of the finished Punta Gorda home. He discusses sustainable gardening, water conservation and low-maintenance plants. Then he joins Leslie...
Ted Gower shows Bob how to install a screen that can make the lanai a hurricane shelter.
Ron Ford from Kohler Power Systems joins Bob to talk about the 22-kilowatt backup generator that has been installed.
Bob meets with Beth Judge (of Clemson University) to review hazard-resistant building techniques at a demonstration house used to teach builders and architects in...
Bob discusses the advantages of hazard-resistant building techniques, specifically sheathing the roof, with Bryan Readling (from the APA).
Bob meets with Brian Redding (from the APA) to learn more about roof framing techniques for resisting hurricanes and high winds.
Installers tie steel straps down to the band joists in order to secure the load-bearing columns newly installed on the porch.
Bob tours the finished house, the fifth in the Elmwood neighborhood project. Better grading and gutters have been added to prevent future water damage.
Bob and contractor Ed Weller tour of another work in progress, a home being built using construction techniques unique to tropical climates.
Bob tours a remarkable concrete building that's survived some of Miami's worst hurricanes: the majestic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
Bob surveys the plaster cornice in the project home. Water damage has ruined a large section and much of the remaining plaster needs repair. Bob and restoration c...
Bob observers the expert plasterer add detail to the cornice, which is under reconstruction due to water damage.
Bob oversees the installation of a grade beam in the garage, which is in compliance with California seismic code.
Bob and contractor Joe Fitzgerald discuss the structural work taking place at the Malibu beach house, as well as California's tough building codes for earthquake ...
J & G Lightning Protection, Inc. installs a lightning rod system that will draw lightning toward the two copper rods, which perch on the garage roof. The copper p...
Bob meets with Askia Aquil of the St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services to talk about the upcoming project, taking place in a revitalizing area. Next, Bob ...
Bob talks with Bill York and Rob Davis of FLASH (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes) about the storm-resistant roof truss system. Bob explains how the roof is constr...
Window installation is underway. Bob talks with Stephen Hugh of Clearwater Window to learn more about the installation process, and Dave Olmstead of PGT Industrie...
Bob talks with Leslie Chapman-Henderson from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) about the technologies involved in securing a roof. Chapman-Henderson exp...
The front of the home is complete and looks like the exterior of any home in the American suburbs. Bob talks with Ray Price, the project manager for the St. Peter...
Bob discusses finishing touches with general contractor Buba Barrow. On the front porch, a non-slip, mildew-resistant tile is being installed. The installation of...
General contractor Buba Barrow joins Bob for a tour of the finish work and interior layout, starting on the tiled front porch, moving through the open-plan family...
Bob talks with David Cross (formerly of Tampa Armature Works) about the future of home construction with steel shipping containers.
