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The 2003 hurricane
season has turned out to be nearly as active as predicted. Hurricanes
Claudette, Fabian and Isabel were the main storms making landfall
between July and September and causing millions of dollars in damage
and leaving large sections without power for days (see
page 6).
Residents from the Texas Gulf Coast to the Outer Banks and Bermuda
felt the power of these storms and witnessed the destruction they
brought as Category 1, Category 3 and Category 2 hurricanes, respectively.
It should be a great relief to all of us that the number of deaths
associated with these landfalls was as low as it was.
As more states along the U.S. Gulf and East coasts consider ways to reduce the
amount of damages, injuries and death caused by hurricanes, it becomes more likely
they will consider upgrading and strengthening building codes throughout the
state and especially for the areas most likely to be effected by the high winds,
debris and water these storms bring. It’s also likely the Florida building
code will serve as a model, recognizing high-velocity coastal wind zones and
requiring hurricane protection for new construction. It seems to be only a matter
of “when” and not “if.”
In that light, in this issue we present our Second Annual Hurricane Protection
Directory & Buyer’s Guide, the only industry-specific listing of companies
that manufacture and supply the hurricane protection products that save lives
and protect property or that offer services from product testing to home designing.
As a reflection of the growth of the hurricane protection industry and the interest
generated from this past season, you will find this year’s Directory lists
nearly 50 percent more companies than last year’s. As a special note, we’ve
added icons indicating which companies are members of the International Hurricane
Protection Association. As before, the back half of our Directory breaks out
products by categories, and then lists the companies that provide those products.
An invaluable, desktop reference this Directory can be kept right at hand and
be referred to throughout the year in preparation for the 2004 season.
Howard Shingle, EDITOR
Kerri Caldwell, ASSOCIATE EDITOR |
