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<br />DR-4366-HI NR009 <br />July 10, 2018 <br />HI-EMA-PIO: 808-733-4300 <br />NEWS DESK: 808-851-7928 <br />News Release <br />Advice on Building Back Stronger Available at Recovery Center <br />HONOLULU–FEMA recovery expertsat the Kea’au Disaster Recovery Center are offeringresidentsadvice on <br />building back stronger from disaster damage and tips on retrofitting to protect against earthquake damage. <br />Whether from wind, fire, flooding or earthquake, FEMA specialists can offer advice on how to rebuild and how <br />to prepare for multiple hazards. <br />With a focus on the recent earthquake activity, a“continuous load path”model ison display atthe desk of <br />FEMA’smitigation specialistsintheKea’auDRC,locatedat Kea‘au High School Gymnasium, 16-725 Kea‘au- <br />Pahoa Rd. <br />The model, a wood frame construction, shows how residents can providehigh levels of securityforhazard <br />eventssuch as earthquakes. It displaysa relatively inexpensive way to reinforce joints with metal connectors <br />and make the house more resistant to damage from the elements, particularly where the rafter meets the wall, <br />according toDavid Kulberg, a FEMA hazard mitigation specialist. <br />Force is transferred to the rafter at the top of the wall thatis typically the weakest connection in the house.The <br />forces continues down through the wall to the bottomplate and into the foundation, which completesthe <br />continuous load path. The metal connectors reinforce every joint. <br />“Hawaii is subject to allhazardsand we encourage residents to rebuild to protect their family and property from <br />the effects ofpotentially devastatinglosses,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Bern Ruiz, who is <br />directing the federal recovery effort here. “Our mitigation experts at the DRC have tips for building back <br />stronger for everyone from the do-it-yourselfer to the professional contractor.” <br />For more information about how to protect your property or business from disaster and get the specifics on how <br />to: <br />Protect Your Business from All Natural Hazards <br />Protect Your Property from an Earthquake <br />Protect Your Property from Fire <br />Protect Your Property from Flooding <br />Protect Your Property from High Winds <br />### <br /> <br />