Tips for Building a Storm-Ready Home

Sept. 23, 2005 — -- Florida and Gulf Coast residents have weathered rough storms before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit. During 2004's Hurricane Charley, the Punta Gorda, Fla., home of Jim Minaldi and Teresa Fogolini was totaled by 180 mph winds.

Jim watched as their possessions and furniture flew out of the home and the roof and window blew off. Jim and Teresa's home was reduced to a pile of rubble. "I'm a tough guy," said 57-year-old Jim. "But I cried on the phone to Teresa as I watched it go."

When rebuilding their home, Jim and Teresa used the latest storm-ready techniques with the help of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes and Bob Vila, host of the nationally syndicated "Bob Vila" home improvement series.

Click here to visit Bob Vila's Web site for more information on storm-ready homes.

Click her to visit FLASH, Inc. -- The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.

You can find several tips for building a storm-ready house below.

What's the cost?
To build a house like Jim and Teresa's -- which has four bedrooms, two baths and nearly 3,000 square feet -- would cost about $350,000 to $400,000. But homeowners can save significantly on their insurance premium.