--- title: Forensic engineering, architectural and construction articles and insights | CCA Blog | Storm Damage description: Storm Damage | The CCA blog will feature forensic engineering, architectural and construction related industry insights, case studies, featured projects, and more. --- [![CCA an Aperture Company](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cca.png?width=230&height=95&name=cca.png "CCA an Aperture Company")](http://ccaco.com) [** ](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/storm-damage/page/1#) CCA Blog ![1300x200 New CCA Page Header_FIN.png](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2018%20Header%20Images/1300x200%20New%20CCA%20Page%20Header_FIN.png?width=1300&name=1300x200%20New%20CCA%20Page%20Header_FIN.png "1300x200 New CCA Page Header_FIN.png") ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/storm-shelter-square.jpg) ## [Best available refuge: Protecting yourself when a tornado or hurricane hits](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/protecting-yourself-in-a-storm-best-available-refuge-areas-for-tornadoes-and-hurricanes) [fa icon="calendar'] Sep 16, 2021 11:30:00 AM / by [Greg Hoyt, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/greg-hoyt-pe) Tornados and hurricanes are dangerous, extreme wind events. Both types of storms are likely to happen in specific geographies—tornados in the central plains of the U.S. and hurricanes along the Atlantic seaboard and Gulf Coast. Yet these storms can and do happen in other areas. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/protecting-yourself-in-a-storm-best-available-refuge-areas-for-tornadoes-and-hurricanes) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/cca-catastrophe-response-square.jpg) ## [Responding to Catastrophes](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/a-look-into-ccas-catastrophe-response-expertise) [fa icon="calendar'] Aug 17, 2021 6:30:00 AM / by [Kenneth R Quigley, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/kenneth-r-quigley-pe) Disaster can strike at any time—natural disasters like hurricanes, wild fires, earthquakes, tornadoes; and human-caused catastrophes like pipeline leaks, criminal acts, bridge or building collapses, or industrial, air, or rail accidents. After the initial emergency response, property owners and public officials turn their attention to restoring properties and restarting commerce. Business and property owners and their insurance companies want to know: [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/a-look-into-ccas-catastrophe-response-expertise) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/hurricane-square.jpg) ## [Hurricane Damage Claims - A Primer](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/hurricane-damage-claims-a-primer) [fa icon="calendar'] Jun 10, 2021 6:00:00 AM / by [Robert Pfeifer, AIA](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/robert-pfeifer-aia) Insurance policies may or may not cover all your damages from a storm like a hurricane. In general, for residential policies, most policies cover damages caused by high winds, such as damaged roofing shingles, broken windows, water entering damaged building components, or damage from toppled trees. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/hurricane-damage-claims-a-primer) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/flood%20damage%20homes.jpg) ## [Tackling flood damage to dwellings](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/tackling-flood-damage-to-dwellings) [fa icon="calendar'] Oct 23, 2018 7:45:00 AM / by [Kenneth R Quigley, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/kenneth-r-quigley-pe) Dealing with flood damage inside of your home or business can be a nightmare. With water soaking your valuables and all of your belongings, it’s often difficult to know or even process where to begin. Quite likely many questions are running through your head pertaining to whether or not your insurance will cover the damage. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/tackling-flood-damage-to-dwellings) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/Hurricane%20Irma_home%20in%20BigPinKey_GettyImages.jpg) ## [Hurricane resistant homes: why they aren't being constructed more frequently.](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/hurricane-resistant-homes-why-they-arent-being-constructed-more-frequently) [fa icon="calendar'] Aug 16, 2018 11:00:00 AM / by [Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/mark-mcgivern-csi-aff-m-asce) Last year was the United States’ most costly on record for weather-related disasters. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather-related damages in 2017 totaled a staggering $306 billion. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/hurricane-resistant-homes-why-they-arent-being-constructed-more-frequently) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/irma-tampa.jpg) ## [Stricter Building Codes Saved Florida’s Commercial Buildings from Irma’s Wrath](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/florida-commercial-buildings-irma) [fa icon="calendar'] Nov 28, 2017 10:00:00 AM / by [Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/mark-mcgivern-csi-aff-m-asce)   Hurricane Irma bore down hard on single-family homes, severely damaging many. At the end of September residential insurance claims had been cited around a half-million. The story, however is quite different for commercial and industrial buildings where insurance claims had been cited around 25,000. This is mainly due to the stricter building codes that were put in place following the wrath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. *“Designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 175 mph, the Florida building code is the accepted benchmark for hurricane protection nationally.”* *“Florida significantly strengthened its defenses after hits from past major hurricanes, and those improvements were instrumental in helping the state weather this potentially devastating storm,” Levy notes. “As a result, damage to Florida commercial real estate is relatively minor outside of the Keys.”* [Continue to full article….](http://www.nreionline.com/office/stricter-building-codes-saved-florida-s-commercial-buildings-irma-s-wrath) [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/florida-commercial-buildings-irma) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/hurricane_st%20thomas.jpg) ## [Hurricane Ties - Keeping the Lid On](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/hurricane-ties) [fa icon="calendar'] Nov 21, 2017 10:00:00 AM / by [Kenneth R Quigley, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/kenneth-r-quigley-pe) With the 2017 hurricane season coming to an end Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria affected large parts of the USA and Caribbean.  Examples of roof uplift can be found in numerous structures. If a roof is not properly tied down the entire roof structure can be blown away as in this photograph from St. Thomas. When hurricanes or high winds strike buildings the roofs can be sucked upward in the same manner as an airplane wing.  In extreme cases the entire roof structure can get sucked off the building.  Newer, hurricane-resistant structures incorporate hurricane ties - metal straps which attach the roof securely to the main part of the house below.  Parts of the house are also tied together all of the way down to the foundation providing a path for the roof uplift forces all the way to the foundation.  Without these ties, strong winds will make quick work of a roof.  [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/hurricane-ties) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/mold.jpg) ## [Mold in walls after a hurricane or flooding](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/mold-drywall-insulation) [fa icon="calendar'] Oct 19, 2017 4:00:00 PM / by [Robert Pfeifer, AIA](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/robert-pfeifer-aia) ### Excessive growth of mold can destroy building materials and also cause health problems. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/mold-drywall-insulation) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/concrete%20infrastructures.jpg) ## [Protecting Infrastructures from Major Floods](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/protecting-infrastructures-from-major-floods) [fa icon="calendar'] Sep 14, 2017 4:00:00 PM / by [Kenneth R Quigley, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/kenneth-r-quigley-pe) Flooding has dominated much of the news in recent years and this hurricane season it seems to be even more prevalent. The impact of this flooding is greater due to growing infrastructure and the rapid rate that new construction is going up. Concrete is the modern world’s most commonly used building material however century-old concrete structures are outlasting modern concrete structures erected in the last 50-years. Why? One factor is the way in which the buildings are reinforced. According to a recent article in [The Construction Specifier](https://www.constructionspecifier.com/protecting-infrastructure-from-major-floods/?qnewsletter=20170905&en_click=1&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=features), *instead of using solid stone, most U.S. infrastructure is constructed of reinforcing steel embedded within poured concrete. As the priorities of construction methods shift to increase productivity and streamline scheduling, long-term durability often takes a backseat.* The following article provides case studies about different reinforcement methods being employed to protect against major flooding. [Read more.](https://www.constructionspecifier.com/protecting-infrastructure-from-major-floods/?qnewsletter=20170905&en_click=1&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=features) [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/protecting-infrastructures-from-major-floods) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/flooded-access-road-1245711.jpg) ## [Climate Disasters Cost the U.S. $46 Billion](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/climate-disasters-cost-u.s.-46-billion) [fa icon="calendar'] Jan 17, 2017 11:21:13 AM / by [Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/mark-mcgivern-csi-aff-m-asce) 2016 was recorded as the second-warmest year to date according to NOAA's [National Centers for Environmental Information](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/) report. According to NOAA, "Some extreme weather and climate events have increased in recent decades." A staggering $46 billion has been spent in damages due to climate-based disasters in 48 U.S. states. Unfortunately, these types of disasters not only cause monetary damages but have taken the lives of at least 138 people. The yearly report included seven types of climate related disasters, which included droughts, hurricanes, and winter storms throughout the country. The news is opening up new discussions on how best to resiliently build in coastal areas that could be affected and where would the funds come from to pay for such [mitigation](https://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation). Once catastrophes occur, insurance companies and governmental agencies, such as FEMA and states, pay for losses. In addition, individuals absorb losses. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/climate-disasters-cost-u.s.-46-billion) [All posts](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/all) [Next [fa icon="angle-double-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/storm-damage/page/2) - [![linkedin](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/file-2246924294-png/2014_Images/in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cca-construction-consulting-associates-llc) Engineering services in New York will be provided by CCA Consulting & Engineering, P.C. CCA, CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING ASSOCIATES, LLC © 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The materials and information contained on this website have been prepared by CCA, LLC solely for general informational purposes and do not constitute advice. You should not act, or refrain from acting, based upon any information on this website. The description anywhere on this website of the results of any specific case or transaction does not mean or suggest that similar results can or could be obtained in any other matter. Each matter must be considered to be unique and subject to varying results. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and circumstances and the law applicable to your situation. You should consult an attorney for advice concerning your specific situation.