Florida Hurricane Protection Guide for Homeowners

The most effective hurricane protection measures for Florida homes, in order of impact: 1. **Opening protection:** Impact-resistant windows and doors (or storm shutters) are the most critical hurricane protection measure. Most hurricane damage occurs when wind-driven debris breaches the building envelope. 2. **Roof-to-wall connections:** Hurricane straps connect the roof framing to the wall framing and prevent the roof from being lifted off by wind uplift. 3. **Roof deck attachment:** The roof sheathing must be properly nailed to the roof framing to prevent it from being blown off in high winds. 4. **Hip roof geometry:** Hip roofs perform better in hurricanes than gable roofs because they have lower wind pressure coefficients. 5. **Secondary water resistance:** A self-adhering underlayment beneath the roof covering prevents water intrusion if the roof covering is damaged.