TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott has announced that the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has released the new edition of its Rating the States report, ranking Florida No. 1 for strengthening residential building-code systems. The state-by-state assessment, previously issued in 2012 and 2015, ranks 18 states most vulnerable to catastrophic hurricanes along the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. The report is intended to focus attention on the need for strong, statewide building codes and identify steps states can take to improve their building codes.
Governor Scott said, “In Florida, we know how important it is to be prepared for hurricanes while doing everything possible to keep families safe. Florida’s building codes have consistently ranked among the strongest in the nation and I’m proud that we have now been ranked first for building code strength by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.”
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Jonathan Zachem said, “As reflected in the IBHS report, the importance of effective, well-enforced building codes was demonstrated in our state during the 2017 hurricane season. I’m extremely pleased that the state of Florida was ranked first on this landmark report.”
IBHS CEO and President Julie Rochman said, “States with strong, updated codes saw stunning proof this year in Florida that updated, well-enforced building codes have led to the construction of homes and buildings that can stand up to fierce hurricane winds. It can’t be any clearer: these codes work.”
To view reports and learn more about the Rating the States study, click HERE.