"We desperately need to build stronger, safer homes and businesses that are resistant to windstorm effects," said Tim Reinhold, PhD, PE, senior vice president of research and chief engineer at Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), at a hearing today to promote an enhanced understanding of windstorms and the risks they pose throughout the United States.

Dr. Reinhold testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation of the Committee on Science and Technology, as Congress is considering reauthorization of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP) and allocation of funding. He not only emphasized his definition of windstorm -- which is considerably broader than hurricanes -- particularly as it pertains to the nation's recent risks, but also explained that research also would potentially minimize the detrimental effects of tornadoes and wind-driven wildfires. This testimony reinforced the idea that opportunities do exist for the federal government to not only support research to make homes and businesses more resilient when exposed to violent windstorms but also to remove barriers to developing hazard resistant construction.

"During the past decade, with the exception of Hurricane Katrina, we have seen a dramatic reduction in the loss of life during hurricanes because of better warning and evacuation systems," said Dr. Reinhold. "However, these gains are tempered by dramatic increases in property losses, as our nation concentrates more of its population and wealth along our vulnerable coastlines and in areas at greater risks for wildfires."