Florida and all those in the path of the storm - close interior doors to protect roof

[phylny]

[link: https://disastersafety.org/ibhs-news-releases/shut-the-doors-on-hurricane-irma/|

TAMPA, September 6, 2017 – Following rigorous scientific wind testing on a full-scale, 1,400 square foot single-story home in its unique laboratory this summer, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has important new guidance for all homeowners preparing for major wind storms such as Hurricane Irma: close all interior doors, in addition to all windows and exterior doors.

High winds, such as those currently expected from Hurricane Irma, place homes under intense pressure. Wind entering the home through an open or broken window, can create strong upward pressure on the roof. Closing interior doors helps compartmentalize the pressure inside the home into smaller areas reducing the overall force on the roof structure, which gives the roof a better chance of staying intact.

“The roof is your first line of defense against anything Mother Nature inflicts on a home, and during a bad storm your roof endures fierce pressure from wind, rain, and flying debris that may be outside,” said Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO. “But the roof also must withstand internal pressure if winds get inside. The pressure in your home can build like air in a balloon, eventually causing the roof to fail and blow apart, which – particularly in a hurricane – allows water to come pouring in.”

As the eastern United States and Caribbean islands prepare for Hurricane Irma, IBHS urges homeowners to follow all evacuation orders and be sure to shut the doors on Irma to increase its ability to withstand the storm.

[raven mad]

1. ONLY if you're not in a manufactured trailer home.

Those doors, leave open because the extra insulation from the manufacturing process makes pressure build. You DO NOT want that in a low pressure storm.

Don't know how I remember these tidbits, but I remember it works.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Any mobile homes are gonna go flying in this storm.

It is practically a mantra down here.."get OUT of a trailer. Never stay in one during a hurricane".

[raven mad]

7. Yeah, I only rode one out - Merritt Island.

but I'm serious, that IS a mantra, and I knew better but had no where else to go. No $, no car.......

[SunSeeker]

2. And put duct tape or masking tape on the inside of windows ...

so that when the glass shatters it doesn't go flying and cut you.

I remember doing that before hurricanes in New Orleans back when I lived there in the 70s.

[Phoenix61]

5. That was the thing to do

However, it's been debunked many times. The only way to protect Windows is cover them or buy special, high-impact windows.

[SunSeeker]

8. Boarding up windows from the outside is best---if you can get plywood.

But if you can't (I imagine the hardware/lumber stores in the area are running out of stock) then duct taping the insides of your windows is better than nothing.

[Awsi Dooger]

3. Thanks so much for that link

My roof is the primary concern here in Miami. I am departing tomorrow. I wondered about closing interior doors but without seeing specific advice I wasn't planning to do it.

Now I wish I had doors everywhere

On edit: I suppose closet doors also. Seemingly couldn't hurt.

[icymist]

4. I wonder if this type of engineering would do well with tornado homes?

It's a thought...

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. There was a time that roof tie downs were gonna be required

as well as mobile home tie downs (esp. for earthquake areas)
but I have not heard anything about that for years.

there ARE metal plates you use to connect the rafters to the roof in houses ....I forget the terms.

tornadoes are a different beast. I have seen insulation that has been sucked from the inside of a house wall
ending up poked out thru the walls to the outside of the house. Whole different pressure effects.

Having said all that, 130-40-50 mph hurricane winds hitting the same surface for 7-8 or more hours, then coming back from the opposite side to do it again, pretty much makes wood frame houses shatter.