• Calendar of Events and Training
• Flood Information
• For Business
• For Citizens
• For Volunteers
• Govt./Municipalities
• Herbert Hoover Dike
• Homeland Security
• Homeowner How-To's
• Important Links
• Publications and Forms
• Shelters

• Health and Medical
• Planning
• Mitigation
• Operations
• Recovery
• Terrorism Response
• Volunteer

Hurricane Straps/Clips/Anchor Bolts

Your home's ability to resist the extreme force of wind is only as strong as its weakest link, so the only sure way to create a wind-resistant home is to secure all its connections: roof-to-wall, floor-to-floor and wall-to-foundation.

The roof is your home's first line of defense from a storm. To make sure the roof stays in place when severe winds blow, securely anchor roof-to-wall connections by installing hurricane straps or clips at every wall-to-rafter connection to reinforce the roof.

Even if re-roofing your existing home is years away, it is possible for roofing professionals to access and reinforce an existing home's roof-to-wall connections with hurricane straps and clips.

These connections are critical in holding the roof together and will dramatically increase the homes overall resistance to wind.

Along with roof-to-wall connections -- all joints in the structure -- floor-to-floor and wall-to-foundation -- must also be secured to create a "continuous load path" to the building's foundation.

Secure floor-to-floor connections by making sure each floor is connected to the floor below with straps or clips in addition to any other code-required nailing schedule.

Wall-to-foundation connections should be made through the use of anchor bolts or mud-sill anchors.

Be sure to install all connectors following manufacturer's specifications.

Visit www.flash.org or call toll-free (877) 221-SAFE for more information about protecting your home from disaster.