Your life can change in the blink of an eye.
With the 2025 destructive spring tornado season underway, and Hurricane Season approaching the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)® is offering the Strong Homes Scale (Scale), a groundbreaking new tool designed to help homeowners assess their home’s ability to withstand six natural disasters.
On March 25, 2025 the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)® launched Strong Homes Scale (Scale), a groundbreaking new tool designed to help homeowners assess their home’s ability to withstand six natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and winter storms. The Scale and new tools are part of the enhanced InspectToProtect.org platform that empowers users with information to answer the questions, “How will my home hold up in a disaster?” and “How can I make it stronger?”
On February 5, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) recognized former National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read as the 2025 National Weatherperson of the Year. This prestigious annual award honors weather professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in promoting disaster safety and resilience.
Hurricane Milton was barreling toward William Fulford’s front door. The mayor of nearby Tampa, Florida, was pleading on television for area residents to leave or die. Still, Fulford, a 76-year-old retired homebuilder, was staying put.
After a hurricane or tropical storm moves on, the danger of personal injury remains. Below is a list of things you should keep in mind if you are in areas that have been hit hard by a tropical storm.
Experiencing a flood is one of the most devastating events for homeowners. If your home has flooded, there are steps you can take in the immediate aftermath to ensure the cleanup goes smoothly and you don’t introduce new problems to the mix.
The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. (FLASH) named Mike Buresh, Chief Meteorologist, Action News JAX – WJAX, WFOX as the 2024 National Weatherperson of the Year (NWP). This annual accolade acknowledges weather professionals who exhibit exemplary leadership in advocating for disaster safety and resilience.
The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) invites experts to submit presentations for consideration by the National Disaster Resilience Conference (NDRC24) committee. Set to take place from November 20 to 22, 2024, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, the conference seeks to explore innovative approaches and programs that drive advancements in resilience policy, practice, science, and engineering.
Preparing for potential disasters is crucial no matter where you call home. Families can enhance their safety and home resilience by using these free and low-cost ways to strengthen their homes against a variety of perils. From earthquakes and extreme heat to floods, hail, hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires, these top mitigation strategies are accessible on the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) website FLASH.org.
The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) revealed the names of the five finalists for the 2024 National Weatherperson of the Year award. This annual accolade acknowledges exceptional weather professionals who exhibit exemplary leadership in advocating for disaster safety and resilience.
Lithium-ion batteries power many electronic devices and vehicles, including electric cars, E-bikes, golf carts, scooters, and laptops. However, these batteries can cause fires or even explode if they malfunction, are damaged, or are submerged in water. Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries can pose a significant risk for users and first responders as they are difficult to extinguish.
When collisions or floodwaters damage a lithium-ion battery, a short circuit can cause the cells to discharge energy and heat up. This leads to a condition called “thermal runaway,” in which the heat moves from one cell to the next, causing the cells to ignite and burn in an uncontrollable, self-heating state.
When a lithium-ion battery is underwater, contaminants or saltwater can cause short circuiting. Damaged lithium-ion batteries can also short-circuit after a motor vehicle collision or when moved or loaded onto a tow truck.
Hurricane Ian raised awareness of EV battery issues when it damaged some electric vehicles. Those submerged in saltwater resulted in long-duration, high-voltage electrical battery fires, and several parked in garages or near buildings caused the buildings to ignite as well.
Consider and prepare for the potential dangers of lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles and other equipment, especially before disaster strikes.
Follow all Lithium-Ion Battery Powered Vehicle Safety and Storage Tips
• Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to charge your electric vehicle and use only charging devices certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• Stop using the vehicle and notify 9-1-1 immediately if you notice an odor, color or shape change, increased heat, leaking, smoke, or odd noises from the lithium-ion battery-powered vehicle. Be aware that a lithium-ion battery could be damaged without immediately showing these signs.
• If you suspect your lithium-ion battery-powered vehicle has been exposed to or damaged by water, salt water, or other conditions, do not attempt to go near the vehicle, charge or drive the vehicle, or store the vehicle indoors or near structures.
• Notify 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect your electric vehicle has battery damage.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection:
NFPA Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
Electric Vehicle Charging Safety Tips
Post-Storm Guidance: How to Handle Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Batteries
Considerations for Fire Service Response to Residential Battery Energy Storage System Incidents
Hurricanes and tropical storms are far less common in California than earthquakes, but several have moved within range of San Diego over the years in a way required locals to consider their level of preparedness.
When a major storm is bearing down, you often have little time to prepare. If you’re ahead of the game, you’ll have a go bag ready, and plans in place to shelter your pets and keep in touch with scattered family members.
Now in its 25th year, the event will bring together private and public sector leaders, nationally- recognized engineers, meteorologists, practitioners, risk communicators, scientists, and trade professionals to share best practices and create innovative solutions.
The U.S. 41 bridges over the Peace River are closed until further notice due to road flooding in Punta Gorda, Florida. Storm surge, high tides, and excessive rainfall from Hurricane Idalia have caused widespread localized flooding, particularly in coastal areas. These conditions will continue to worsen this morning.