Strong Homes, Safe Families!

This episode is hosted by FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson with guests Joseph Chappell, Outreach & Communication, Building Science Branch Planning, Safety & Building Science Division, Risk Management Directorate, FIMA, Resilience, FEMA and Dr. Pataya Scott, Civil Engineer, Earthquake and Wind Programs Branch, FIMA Resilience, FEMA.

How do building codes affect disaster safety and resilience? Can we affordably build structures that withstand the test of time? Everyone deserves a safe place to live, so how do building codes help achieve that goal?

How do building codes affect disaster safety and resilience? Can we affordably build structures that withstand the test of time? Everyone deserves a safe place to live, so how do building codes help achieve that goal?

Some might recall ten years ago when a deadly tornado outbreak hit Alabama. One young family will never forget. That family is the Harrison’s. On April 27, 2011, they survived what NOAA dubbed “… the deadliest day for tornadoes in 75 years.” Since that day, they have shared their inspiring story to help prevent injuries and deaths from deadly extreme winds.

Please join our guest host, weather veteran, and chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40 James Spann along with FLASH Leadership partners and tornado survivors Kevin and Sarabeth Harrison as they recall their experience of survival, parental love, and the importance of a tornado safe room.

Topics:

● When and why build a safe room? Safety from storms when they occur (1:57)

● Was it a normal day in Athens? No, a bad storm was headed their way, be prepared (2:41)

● How did the family get a tornado warning? Watching the weather and radar broadcast (3:01)

● How much time did they have? Rushed into the safe room and closed the door
(3:19)

● What was it like in the safe room? Sound got louder and louder, then suddenly stopped (4:28)

● How long did it take for the tornado to pass through their property? 30 seconds (5:03)

● How did their children react? Followed their lead - stay calm and be prepared (5:43)

● How long did it take to get out of the safe room? Buried for 40 minutes due to debris (6:20)

● What did their property look like after the tornado hit? Everything else was destroyed (8:31)

● Where did they live while their new home was being built? Stayed in an apartment (9:34)

● Why was a certified, tested, and approved safe room built at the new house? FLASH (10:04)

● Lessons Learned: Be weather aware, get warnings, and take safety seriously (13:41)

With 52 million downloads, the wildly popular MyRadar app is a weather alerting leader, and this podcast with MyRadar’s Mark Taylor delivers insights for weather geeks of all kinds. From the early days of polygons and maps to the state of weather tech, Mark and guest host John Zarrella cover all the bases. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with two former national broadcast journalists who serve as FLASH board advisors and help advance the cause of disaster resilience. 

Topics Include:

● Weather Media and Technology: Passion and interest in weather—it’s no joke (0:44)

● Weather and Space Gadgets: Marriage of technology to get the forecast right (2:26)

● Weather Resources: Evolution of data, information, and satellites (2:47)

● Innovation and Accomplishments: Take vision and turn it into a real product (3:10)

    ○ 2006: Built first interactive weather map with real-time data and hurricane tracker

    ○ 2010: Added precise polygon alerts and warnings using GPS and smartphones

● FLASH: Fueled passion for resilience and willingness to volunteer with dedicated focus (5:07)

● MyRadar: Powerful, accurate radar/weather prediction app w/ over 52-million downloads (6:21)

● Vision: Weather has an impact, add radar for tracking to make it better (7:01)

● Mission: Provide information that matters to you where you are in a timely manner (7:36)

● Features: Focus on more than the weather—alerts, temperatures, forecasts, and videos (8:41)

● Educational Platform: What’s the difference between a watch and warning? (10:22)

● Big Data: Too much information, voices, mixed messages, and trusted sources (11:46)

● New Tech Investments: Sophisticated satellites, nowcasting, and road weather (15:53)

 ● 2021 Goals: Continue to evolve the application, company, and platform (19:46)

With 52 million downloads, the wildly popular MyRadar app is a weather alerting leader, and this podcast with MyRadar’s Mark Taylor delivers insights for weather geeks of all kinds. From the early days of polygons and maps to the state of weather tech, Mark and guest host John Zarrella cover all the bases. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with two former national broadcast journalists who serve as FLASH board advisors and help advance the cause of disaster resilience.

This week's Strong Homes, Safe Families! guest is self-described rock nerd, Amanda Siok - Earthquake, Tsunami, and Volcano Program Manager for FEMA Region X in Seattle.

During this interview, Amanda offers a dive into Alaska's earthquake history, building code progress, resilience strategies, and much more during this episode. Her perspectives on disaster safety through strong buildings and best practices offer a fresh take on our shared goals to create disaster-resilient communities.

This week's Strong Homes, Safe Families! guest is self-described rock nerd, Amanda Siok - Earthquake, Tsunami, and Volcano Program Manager for FEMA Region X in Seattle.

During this interview, Amanda offers a dive into Alaska's earthquake history, building code progress, resilience strategies, and much more during this episode. Her perspectives on disaster safety through strong buildings and best practices offer a fresh take on our shared goals to create disaster-resilient communities.

Depending on where you live, earthquakes to tornadoes, and wildfires are all too common and concerning perils. What can you do to protect your home and family from each potentially dangerous type of natural hazard and disaster?

This week, we turned the tables, and FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman- Henderson is interviewed by John Zarrella, JZ Media, former CNN Correspondent, and one of our valued Board Advisors.

During this podcast, John and Leslie talk about 10 affordable, simple, do-it-yourself (DIY) ways to safeguard your family and make your home stronger before the year ends.

Depending on where you live, earthquakes to tornadoes, and wildfires are all too common and concerning perils. What can you do to protect your home and family from each potentially dangerous type of natural hazard and disaster?

This week, we turned the tables, and FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman- Henderson is interviewed by John Zarrella, JZ Media, former CNN Correspondent, and one of our valued Board Advisors.

During this podcast, John and Leslie talk about 10 affordable, simple, do-it-yourself (DIY) ways to safeguard your family and make your home stronger before the year ends.

We often say that building codes are the foundation for resilience, and today’s new podcast reinforces that message. 

This week’s Strong Homes, Safe Families! guest is Edward (Ed) M. Laatsch, Director - Safety, Planning, and Building Science Division of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA), Risk Management Directorate - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Ed is a FLASH Founding and Legacy Partner, one of the nation’s leading experts on building science, and a true champion for resilience. 

During this interview, we talk about the who, what, when, and why of the brand new Building Codes Save: A Nationwide Study of Loss Prevention. 

We often say that building codes are the foundation for resilience, and today’s new podcast reinforces that message. 

This week’s Strong Homes, Safe Families! guest is Edward (Ed) M. Laatsch, Director - Safety, Planning, and Building Science Division of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA), Risk Management Directorate - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Ed is a FLASH Founding and Legacy Partner, one of the nation’s leading experts on building science, and a true champion for resilience. 

During this interview, we talk about the who, what, when, and why of the brand new Building Codes Save: A Nationwide Study of Loss Prevention. 

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is over today, and what a season it was. The record-setting six month period delivered 30 named storms, topping the previous 2005 record of 28.

It is only fitting that this week's guest for Strong Homes, Safe Families! podcast is Dr. Rick Knabb, the on-air hurricane expert, and tropical program manager for The Weather Channel, one of our longtime resilience champions, and 2017 National Weatherperson of the Year.

We hope you enjoy it. Let us know!

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is over today, and what a season it was. The record-setting six month period delivered 30 named storms, topping the previous 2005 record of 28.

It is only fitting that this week's guest for Strong Homes, Safe Families! podcast is Dr. Rick Knabb, the on-air hurricane expert, and tropical program manager for The Weather Channel, one of our longtime resilience champions, and 2017 National Weatherperson of the Year.

We hope you enjoy it. Let us know!

When there’s a fire, you likely know to Stop, Drop, and Roll, but do you know how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On when an earthquake occurs? Unlike other natural disasters, earthquakes do not have seasons. They can strike without warning, so it is essential to know how to protect yourself, your family, and your employees. That’s where the Great ShakeOut comes in.

This week our guest is Mark Benthien, Director of Communication, Education, and Outreach at the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) and global ShakeOut advisor.

We hope you enjoy it. Let us know!

When there’s a fire, you likely know to Stop, Drop, and Roll, but do you know how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On when an earthquake occurs? Unlike other natural disasters, earthquakes do not have seasons. They can strike without warning, so it is essential to know how to protect yourself, your family, and your employees. That’s where the Great ShakeOut comes in.

This week our guest is Mark Benthien, Director of Communication, Education, and Outreach at the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) and global ShakeOut advisor.

We hope you enjoy it. Let us know!

Have you ever heard that closing your doors can limit damage in a windstorm? Do you know how many bathtubs worth of wind-driven water comes through an unprotected roof? Can you explain why something as innocuous as a soffit is relevant to the fate of your home? And, by the way, what exactly is a soffit?

Have you heard that closing your interior doors can limit damage in a windstorm? Do you know how many bathtubs worth of wind-driven water comes through an unprotected roof? Can you explain why something as innocuous as a soffit is relevant to the fate of your home? And, by the way, what exactly is a soffit?

Hurricane season is here. Are you fully prepared by having the right insurance? Do you have a home inventory to go along with your policy? Did you know that a detailed written, photographic, or video inventory of your belongings is the most effective way to plan for a claim?

This week’s Strong Homes, Safe Families! expert guest is Elizabeth Gulick, Vice President of Claims Operations for USAA and member of the FLASH Board of Directors. Elizabeth shares her experience on the best way to create a home insurance inventory and much more.

Are you in the dark about what your insurance policy will provide after a hurricane? Did you know that you may have coverage for food that spoils when the power fails even if your home isn't damaged? Moreover, did you know that food spoilage coverage is often deductible-free?

Strengthening our homes for hurricane season to ensure damage prevention is more important than ever this year due to COVID-19 and the potential need for social distancing.

What’s in your hurricane supply kit? Do you have what you need to make repairs after a storm? Can you safely operate a generator? How about a chainsaw?

This week’s podcast with checklists and videos will provide the refresher you need to make sure you are #HurricaneStrong and ready for the June 1 start of hurricane season. My guest expert for this discussion on Episode Three of Strong Homes, Safe Families! is Sean Reilly, District Manager for Lowe’s along North and South Carolina coasts⁠—between Myrtle Beach and Morehead City. In this interview, Sean talks about the importance of individual and family preparedness by having adequate disaster know-how, supplies, and equipment. 

What’s in your hurricane supply kit? Do you have what you need to make repairs after a storm? Can you safely operate a generator? How about a chainsaw?

This week’s podcast with checklists and videos will provide the refresher you need to make sure you are #HurricaneStrong and ready for the June 1 start of hurricane season. My guest expert for this discussion on Episode Three of Strong Homes, Safe Families! is Sean Reilly, District Manager for Lowe’s along North and South Carolina coasts⁠—between Myrtle Beach and Morehead City. In this interview, Sean talks about the importance of individual and family preparedness by having adequate disaster know-how, supplies, and equipment.