Coastal communities across the country are breathing sighs of relief following the relatively mild 2006 hurricane season, considering 2005 produced a record-breaking 27 named tropical storms including 15 hurricanes. Of those, four reached Category 5 strength. The areas devastated in 2005, especially by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, are still rebuilding.

The effects of Katrina and Rita will be with Louisiana and other Gulf Coast states for a generation or more. The good news is hurricane recovery represents an opportunity to improve the quality of life for thousands of families. They need support from all of us to achieve a better quality of life. And as we rebuild, we must do it right.

Louisiana took an important step to help prevent future hurricane damage by adopting the International Codes to guide reconstruction. The wind and flood provisions of the 2003 International Building Code and 2003 International Residential Code have been adopted for the parishes declared federal disaster areas following Katrina and Rita. Statewide adoption of the 2006 IBC, IRC and the 2006 International Existing Building, Fuel Gas and Mechanical Codes took effect Jan. 1, 2007.

Mississippi also responded to Katrina and Rita by forming a State Building Codes Council and requiring Mississippi’s five coastal counties to adopt the wind and flood provisions of the 2003 IBC and IRC. The council also chose the 2003 IBC and IRC as codes that may be adopted when jurisdictions choose to adopt building codes.

Alabama created a Building Code Study Commission to evaluate the need for statewide building codes and the procedure for implementation.
The International Code Council is assisting Gulf Coast recovery through education and outreach. Many of these communities never had building codes before Katrina and Rita. As Louisiana was adopting the I-Codes, the ICC established a regional office in the state, and staff is assisting jurisdictions with code adoptions and conducting training and offering new certifications to support building officials and inspectors.

To see a chart detailing major changes in building codes, click here.

Builders must make a commitment as well. They know the value of a disaster-resistant home and that techniques and materials can strengthen homes. Building codes should not be looked at as a burden. The codes are in place to protect builders and their clients. Learning and following code requirements comes with the reward of better protection of our nation’s coastal residents.