Statement on hurricanes and other tropical weather from the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations:
The devastation and loss of life brought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton are a tragedy. Our thoughts are with the impacted communities, and we send our best wishes to those impacted in the southeastern United States and beyond, on behalf of NCSEA.
The principal tenet of structural engineers is to design structures equipped to preserve life during design-level events. It is imperative that jurisdictions adopt and enforce the latest building codes for life safety, but also consider ways to enhance community resilience by amending model codes to address local conditions and by addressing risks posed by older structures built to outdated codes. In addition, it is important to recognize that design-level hazard events in current building codes and standards are based on historical data that may not adequately reflect the growing intensity, frequency, and impact area of storms like these.
After hazard events such as these, structural engineers actively participate with other experts to study force and damage levels against current design levels and predictive models. Using this information, we work with industry partners to update codes and standards to maintain high levels of structural reliability for various external hazards. However, it is important to remember that building codes represent the minimum design level for life safety. As the magnitude of climatic events continue to increase, we advocate for designing critical infrastructure beyond code levels for minimum safety as a way to improve overall community resilience and shorten functional recovery times.
In addition, structural engineers are second responders following disasters and help communities by conducting onsite safety assessments of damaged structures to reduce the chance of further injury or loss of life in the ensuing days, weeks, and months.
Hurricanes, and the accompanying storm surges, high winds, and rainfall, should be treated with the utmost caution regardless of the newness of your home, place of work, or other structure. For assistance in making a disaster plan and other related information, visit ready.gov.
The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) was formed to constantly improve the standard level of practice of the structural engineering profession. The Association’s vision is that structural engineers are valued for their contributions to safe structures and resilient communities. The Association’s mission is that NCSEA, in partnership with its Member Organizations, supports practicing structural engineers to be highly qualified professionals and successful leaders.