Hurricane Sandy Survivor Gets a New #HurricaneStrong Home

BREEZY POINT, NY – August 29, 2016 – Demolition begins today on Diane Hellreigel's Hurricane Sandy-damaged home on Breezy Point in Queens, New York to clear the way for a new house, dubbed the #HurricaneStrong Home.The new home will not only replace Diane's original 1955 structure with a resilient, energy-efficient concrete residence, but it will serve as an educational project to promote disaster-resilient construction practices across the nation as part of the National Hurricane Resilience Initiative #HurricaneStrong.

The effort is supported by the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, (FLASH), Portland Cement Association, BASF Corporation, Huber Engineered Woods, Kohler Generators, Malbro Constructions Services, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and partners who have joined local architect Illya Azaroff of +LAB architect PLLC. Mr. Azaroff is committed to helping the lifelong Breezy Point resident return home after she was forced away in 2012.

According to FLASH President & CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson, "Bringing our partners together to rebuild this home will help one family and teach thousands more the many available options for durable, disaster-resilient construction."

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The home will demonstrate best practices in beyond-code, coastal construction using a variety of innovative materials including insulated concrete form (ICF) walls, closed cell spray polyurethane foam, Zip Systems Roof Sheathing and Tape, a whole home generator, James Hardie siding, and a lightning protection system. The home will have a solid concrete foundation and an elevated living space to resist flooding and high winds, while boosting energy efficiency and fire resistance.

About FLASH: The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is the country's leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters. The FLASH partnership includes more than 120 innovative and diverse organizations that share a vision of making America a more disaster resilient nation including: BASF Corporation, FEMA, Florida Division of Emergency Management, The Home Depot®, Huber Engineered Woods, International Code Council, Kohler® Generators, National Weather Service, Portland Cement Association, Simpson Strong-Tie®, State Farm®, and USAA®. In 2008, FLASH® and Disney opened the interactive weather experience StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes® in Lake Buena Vista, FL.