Floridians well know the destruction that hurricanes can cause.For too long, however, many residents have believed that a certainamount of damage from hurricanes is inevitable; that the best theycan do is endure and rebuild. This belief is misguided — anddangerous. As Florida enters the most active part of the hurricaneseason, now is the time for residents to focus on how they canbetter protect their homes, families, and finances from potentialdisaster.

Research shows that manyhomeowners are in a state of denial when it comes to theirvulnerability to hurricanes. According to a recent Mason-Dixonpoll, 83 percent of residents in hurricane-prone areas areinsufficiently prepared for hurricane season. Talk to a person whohas experienced a storm firsthand, however, and the story changes.The experience delivers a large dose of reality and usuallyinspires action.

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. (FLASH) found a wayfor residents to experience the power and destructive capability ofa severe weather event without suffering the devastating real-lifeconsequences. StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes(R) atINNOVENTIONS(R) at Epcot(R) features a spectacular, simulated, 4-Dweather experience that combines a variety of weather hazards intoone “perfect storm.” Along with the storm experience, guests learnabout cutting edge scientific research and new constructiontechnologies that can protect their homes. Created in conjunctionwith sponsors Renaissance Re, Simpson Strong Tie, and State Farm,StormStruck is a compelling example of the important role thatinsurers, underwriters, and product manufacturers can play inmotivating people to take action.

Play Together, Learn Together

At the exhibit, guests are treated to an introductory videohosted by Jim Cantore, a world-renowned meteorologist and hurricaneexpert. They also are taken on a video tour of Renaissance Re'sWall of Wind, a tool used by the International Hurricane ResearchCenter at Florida International University to test the effects ofhurricane strength winds on structures.

After this primer, a personal “storm-ologist” escorts guestsinto the theater where the real fun and learning happens. Guestsexperience a severe storm and watch as their virtual home and thoseof their neighbors are pummeled. “We worked with our meteorologyand engineering partners to make sure the storm is as close to thereal thing as possible,” said FLASH president and CEO LeslieChapman-Henderson. “We want it to be fun for the kids and theirfamilies without being scary, but real enough that they will bemotivated to prepare together after they get home.” Once the stormpasses, guests learn about safe building techniques and worktogether to rebuild their neighborhood.

“The beauty of StormStruck is that guests get to see immediatelyhow taking just a few steps toward making their homes safer canmake a marked difference when the next big storm blows into town,”said Chapman-Henderson.

The post-show area outside the theater continues the learningprocess. Young children can build a storm kit with the appropriateitems that should be gathered to keep their families safe in theevent of an evacuation. An interactive program, Weather Safe atYour Address, allows visitors to enter their ZIP codes and learnhow to protect themselves against the weather risks that are uniqueto their communities.

Expanding the Message

As StormStruck's one-year anniversary approached in August,FLASH looked for ways to enhance the exhibit and reach even moreaudiences with disaster preparedness information. They approachedFEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) about opportunitiesto promote the problem of flooding, the nation's most costly,common, and deadly natural disaster. “Because of the amount ofdamage flooding causes each year, we knew it was essential tohighlight flooding in the exhibit,” said Chapman-Henderson.

FLASH and Disney consulted with the NFIP and created a ten-footFlood Wall containing important information on flood causes andprotective measures. The NFIP made the wall the flagship of alarger public awareness effort around the 2009 hurricane season.This Countdown to Hurricane Season campaign, which highlighted themandatory 30-day waiting period for flood insurance, kicked offwith a satellite media tour from StormStruck. Chapman-Henderson andformer National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield spoke aboutthe exhibit and the importance of flood insurance protection.

Where it can rain, it can flood, and flood insurance is the bestway for consumers to protect themselves from a flood's potentiallydevastating financial effects. “But we know that people are feelingpinched in this economy and even something as important as floodinsurance might not be on the top of their list,” said ActingFederal Insurance Administrator Ed Connor. “Through StormStruck andthe Flood Wall, FLASH has done a phenomenal job in helping us tellthe flood story in a unique and compelling manner.”

Eric Vaughn is COO of the Federal Alliance forSafe Homes-FLASH(R). He may be reached at 850-385-7233 ext. 108 or[email protected].