Storm & Security

IN/BOX NHC to Issue New Storm Surge Maps For the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) will issue Potential Storm Surge Flooding Maps for areas along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts that are at risk of storm surge from a hurricane. The experimental maps will show geographical areas where inundation from storm surge could occur and how high above ground the water could reach in those areas. The first storm surge map will be issued at the same time as an initial hurricane watch, or a tropical storm watch in some cases. The map will represent a "reasonable worst-case scenario" for any given location, according to NHC, and will be subject to change every six hours. The storm surge maps will be part of an interactive display available on the NHC Web site (www.hurricanes.gov) in situations where hurricane watches and warning are in effect for portions of the continental United States. The maps will be experimental for at least two years, during which time comments from users will be solicited and gathered. Dissemination of the underlying raw data used to create the maps will not be available during the experimental period. At the conclusion of the experimental phase, based on the input, NHC will determine if the maps would become an operational product. 6 STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION / DIRECTORY & RESOURCE GUIDE 2014 A sample of NHC's potential storm surge map for Hurricane X off the coast of Tampa Bay, FL. National Building Museum, Washington, DC. Designing for Disaster Exhibit Debuts in May The National Building Museum, Washington, DC, will present a multimedia exhibition, Designing for Disaster, investigating how and where to build communities that are safer and more disaster resilient. The exhibit opens May 14, 2014, and runs through August 2, 2015. Driven by ways to reduce risk before the next disaster, the exhibit will feature case studies exploring a range of flexible design and planning schemes, public policies and new forecasting technologies. Exhibit visitors can participate in hands-on lessons and interactive displays that demonstrate how to strengthen homes, hospitals, schools and landscapes. From earthquakes and hurricanes to rising sea levels and flooding, the Museum notes that recent history shows no region of the country is immune from the rising costs of storm and disaster damage. The Designing for Disaster exhibition is to serve as a call-to-action for citizen prepared- ness involving design professionals, local decision-makers, homeowners and school children. Rise in Remodeling Spending Expected through Mid-Year The home remodeling market should see strong growth in 2014 according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released in January 2014 by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. "The ongoing growth that we've seen in home prices, housing starts, and existing home sales is also being reflected in home improvement activity," says Eric S. Belsky, managing director of the Joint Center. "As owners gain more confi- dence in the housing market, they are likely to undertake home improvements that they have deferred."

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