RICOWI Announces Deployment of Teams to Hurricane Michael

The RICOWI Board of Directors announced deployment of four teams to investigate the damage to roofs from Hurricane Michael in the Panama City, Florida area. This will be the sixth hurricane team deployment. The Wind Investigation Program (WIP) teams arrived in Panama City to begin their research October 25-26, 2018. Team members for the hurricane wind investigations are wind engineers, roofing material specialists, insurance analysts, structural engineers, and consultants. A report will be generated and available online at www.ricowi.com.

The WIP mission is to investigate the field performance of roof assemblies after major wind storm events, factually describe roof assembly performance and modes of damage, and formally report results of investigations and damage modes for substantiated wind speeds.

This program places experts in the field who have the required product knowledge and program training to ensure that sound, scientific, and unbiased reporting occurs. Buildings will be safer, property losses will be reduced, and the industry will meet the challenge with clear insight as to needed direction. The reports generated by RICOWI investigation teams are utilized to help educate, improve products, installation techniques, safety, and reduce overall roofing and insurance costs for the industry. The results will also provide a valuable resource to FEMA and state emergency management agencies.

RICOWI chairman David Balistreri stated, “RICOWI volunteers will provide factual information on the roof damage, based on wind speed and other data. Clearly, this information will improve the roofing structure, and greatly help the community in the long term.”

Prior to Hurricane Michael, RICOWI conducted five of the most comprehensive roofing investigations of hurricane stricken areas: Hurricanes Charley (Aug. 13/04), Ivan (Sept. 16/04), Katrina (Aug. 29/05), Ike (Sept. 13/08), and a smaller investigation for Hurricane Irma (Oct. 31/17). All research reports are available online as a download at www.ricowi.com.

For additional information about RICOWI, or assisting with sponsorships of this research, contact RICOWI’s Executive Director, Joan Cook: Phone 330-671-4569; Email jcook@ricowi.com or log onto RICOWI’s website at www.ricowi.com.