Five Steps to a More Disaster-Resilient Home

• Reinforce Your Residence. Retrofitting your home can provide structural updates that didn't exist when it was built. For example, a homeowner can install straps to their roof's structural beams to make it strong enough to resist the "uplift" effect of high winds that can cause the roof to lift and collapse back down on the house.
• Defend Those Doors. Garage or double-entry doors can fail under wind pressure. Garage doors can be reinforced with girds and by strengthening the wheel tracks. Double-entry doors can be reinforced with a heavy-duty deadbolt, adding slide bolts on one of the doors, and using longer hinge attachments on the door and frame.
• Guard Your Glass. Storm shutters prevent windows from breaking when there is windborne debris. You can also add shatter-resistant film or stormproof high-impact glass to reduce the chances of glass breaking.
• Trim and Tighten. Consider trimming tree branches that may pose a threat to your home and securing outdoor furniture and fuel tanks that can serve as projectiles during high wind events.
• Ensure You're Fully Insured. Take the time to review your insurance coverages and talk to your agent to verify your household is adequately insured for high-wind events and other disaster risks in your community.

Federal Funds Available to Help You Reduce Your Home's Disaster Risk

Homeowners who received FEMA assistance may receive additional funds for specific risk reduction measures such as roof repairs to withstand higher winds. Learn more at Hazard Mitigation Under the Individuals and Households Program.

In addition, U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans can be increased up to 20 percent to make building upgrades to help protect a home or business against future disasters.

Learn more at SBA Mitigation Assistance.

For even more tips to protect your home in high-wind events, you may also visit Protect Your Property From Severe Winds Brochure 2023 (fema.gov).

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, call toll-free 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Northwest Arkansas Community College's Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies (Building 15) at 1000 SE Eagle Way, Room B103. The phone line is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. The deadline for applications is August 28, 2024.

If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please call FEMA's Civil Rights Resource Line: 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish). Line is open M-F 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT.

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4788. Follow the FEMA Region 6 X account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.