Institute for Business & Home Safety making sure homes are protected this hurricane season

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes met with members of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety in front of his home on Wednesday. They are working with him to renew the fortification of his home for Hurricane season.

Hewes joined the fortified program when he built his house five years ago. He’s been through several storms. The program has helped him strengthen and protect his home against strong storms.

“Fortified Homes make all the difference,” Hewes said. “It’s a piece of mind you get as a homeowner that you’ve got some additional protection that you can withstand these storms when they come to a greater degree. It’s a new option for folks to just give their structure, greater integrity.”

The IBHS offers three levels of protection for homes against severe weather: FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Silver, and FORTIFIED Gold. Managing Director Fred Malik said homeowners can choose the level of protection that suits their needs. Homes like Hewes’ house have reinforced roofs and garage doors.

Malik said the windows are very impact-resistant.

“That makes a big difference and they’re being well-maintained because you can see that the caulk is still in really good shape so there’s no pathway for the water to get inside,” Malik said.

Forecasters are predicting a busy hurricane season. That’s why experts say it’s key to plan ahead whether your home is fortified or not. They recommend trimming your trees, inspecting your roof, and creating an inventory of your belongings.

Malik said residents should review their insurance policies to understand what they cover and make changes to them if any improvements are made to their property.

“Not everybody has to live in a fortified home if you’re taking care of some of these other details, you just need to make sure that you’re taking some action,” he said. “The worst time to try to do even basic stuff is when the storm is in the gulf and it’s a few days away.”

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