Tampa, Fla. (August 17, 2010) – Five years after Hurricane Katrina, building codes along the Gulf Coast today are, for the most part, inadequate, according to a report from the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
When Hurricane Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, 2005, it caused an estimated $41.1 billion in insured losses across six states, and took an incalculable economic and social toll on many communities. Five years later, the recovery continues and some residents in the most severely affected states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi are still struggling.
Wanda Edwards, IBHS' director of code development, analyzed the quality of building codes in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, with a particular emphasis on progress since Katrina. "Building codes along the Gulf Coast today are mostly disappointing, with only Louisiana getting high marks for taking proactive steps to adopt a statewide building code," Edwards said.
"Five Years Later – Are We Better Prepared?" details IBHS' analysis of pre- and post-Katrina building codes in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Key findings include:
• Louisiana adopted a statewide code, but the state has struggled financially to staff and manage building inspection departments. Design professionals, contractors and subcontractors are still in the process of learning the new code and altering their construction practices in order to comply. Reports from code officials indicate it is a challenge to find qualified people to fill the role of inspectors.