Simpson Strong-Tie announced the expansion of its High-Performance Solutions for High-Wind Forces online resource center to include video content and additional building design information for contractors, inspectors, specifiers and homeowners looking for the latest high-wind information and construction guidance.

The recently added video Preparing for a Hurricane: the Engineering Behind Your Home features interviews with structural engineers, academic researchers specializing in resilient construction, and other building industry experts providing an insider’s look at new, groundbreaking research on high-wind construction being conducted at universities and by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Since the beginning of this year, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that the North Atlantic has already weathered 12 named storms (events involving winds of 39 mph or higher), of which five have become hurricanes (with winds of 74 mph or higher), including three major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5, with winds of 111 mph or higher). Most hurricanes also contain individual supercell thunderstorms that typically create tornadoes as well.

For reference, in 2018 Hurricane Michael’s wind speeds peaked at 155 mph, a devastating reminder of the forces tropical storms can exert on homes and buildings. Extreme tornadoes can achieve even higher wind speeds, sometimes above 300 mph. Homes built to withstand high winds often emerge with relatively little damage compared to neighboring buildings built to lesser standards, which in many cases are completely destroyed.

From breaking news and videos to technical notes and installation guides for connectors and fasteners, along with links to additional webinars, CEU courses and real-world training seminars, the Simpson Strong-Tie high-wind resource center offers four different portals tailored respectively to contractors, inspectors, specifiers, and homeowners.

“As we continue to grapple with the lethal aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and prepare for the likelihood of additional storms on the horizon, contractors and homeowners need practical solutions to help protect homes from the damage wrought by these tragic natural disasters,” says Simpson Strong-Tie engineering manager Bryan Wert. “We’re expanding the High-Performance Solutions for High-Wind Forces resource center to better compile critical information and help the construction community build better to prepare for nature’s worst.”

As a part of the Simpson Strong-Tie website, the high-wind resource center is available to everyone and has been optimized for easy viewing on all devices — desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone.

For more information, please visit the High-Performance Solutions for High-Wind Forces resource center at strongtie.com/solutions/hw.