BIRMINGHAM, AL – August 8, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Residents who want to make their homes and businesses more storm resistant can get advice from FEMA staff at local building supply and retail stores from Aug. 9 to Aug. 13 in Birmingham, Gadsden and Prattville.
“This is valuable information from FEMA engineers and construction experts, and it’s free,” said Jeff Byard, state coordinating officer for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. “These construction techniques can save lives and property.”
FEMA will have how-to literature, building diagrams and a model wood-frame house to showcase ways buildings can be strengthened. Using connectors, straps and ties at key joints can transfer the pressure of high winds from a structure’s roof to its foundation.
Residents also can get information on the different types of safe rooms, according to Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Byrne. “There are many options for safe rooms, ranging from pre-fabricated shelters to those built from scratch or included in new-house plans.”
Byrne says guidelines are available for FEMA-approved safe rooms and shelters, along with building plans, information from the National Storm Shelter Association, and demonstration replicas of safe rooms.
FEMA experts will be set up near store entrances Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to
6 p.m.
Home Depot
7001 Crestwood Blvd.
Birmingham, AL 35210
205-595-7780
Walmart Super Center
340 East Meighan Blvd.
Gadsden, AL 35903
256-547-2637
Lowe’s
2307 Cobbs Ford Rd.
Prattville, AL 36066
334-285-0234
Lowe’s
5291 Highway 280 S.
Birmingham, AL 35242
205-981-4100
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
