September is National Preparedness Month and the peak of the Atlantic/Gulf hurricane season. This month, the Louisiana House Resource Center, called LaHouse, features exhibits and information on many topics to help make your home and landscape more resistant to hurricanes.

When building or remodeling a home in south Louisiana, you need to be aware of flood and wind zones, according to Pat Skinner, disaster specialist with the LSU AgCenter. You can find wind- and flood-risk information for any location in Louisiana using the flood and wind speed maps at www.LSUAgCenter.com/floodmaps.

Several things can be done to make your home safer in the face of these threats, according to Claudette Reichel, LSU AgCenter housing specialist.

The LSU AgCenter and collaborators designed LaHouse facilities as an educational, sustainable housing and landscape exhibit on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge to demonstrate building features that show what works in meeting the challenges of Louisiana’s climate and hazard exposure. Although it is in the 100- to110-mph wind-speed zone and in a special flood hazard area, it is built to resist 130-mph winds and is 3 feet above the 100-year flood elevation.

“LaHouse is a showcase for best practices and code-plus construction,” Reichel said. “Its flood- and wind-resistance features meet or exceed the criteria of the Fortified for Safer Living program of the Institute for Business and Home Safety.”

Construction began in 2004, and the house was at mid-construction when hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck south Louisiana in 2005.

The design, building systems, materials and installations were selected to withstand storms, rain, floods and termite hazards while also providing energy efficiency, environmental protection and healthy home benefits. Cut-aways and an exhibit room reveal key features and techniques – including hurricane connectors and structural components.

Hurricane hardware and structural sheathing at the LaHouse contribute to wind resistance by tying the roof to the walls and the walls to foundation, Skinner said.

“You want your walls to do more than hold up the ceiling,” she said. Extra bracing of the walls may be needed to keep walls in place when the home is exposed to the high winds of a hurricane or tornado.

“Roofing materials are installed to high-wind specifications and have high-performance underlayments for an added line of defense against water damage. There is a model in the exhibit room layered to show the correct installation of shingle roofings for wind and water resistance,” Reichel said. “Windows and doors are protected with a wide variety of wind-borne debris protections, ranging from impact-rated window units to impact-resistant shutters, panels and screens that could be added to existing homes.”

The LaHouse landscape includes trails through its seven acres of exhibits, including storm-resistant trees, storm water-management features and horticulture practices.

Visitors will also find a wide assortment of research-based publications on topics such as hurricane-resistant construction, storm recovery, elevating an existing home, preparing your landscape for hurricane season and mold removal.

LaHouse is open for the public to tour and ask questions about the many different building systems involved in its construction.

“LaHouse is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and walk-ins are always welcome,” Matthew Keppinger, LaHouse coordinator, said.

Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call 225-578-7913 to schedule a tour.

“We have a meeting room that includes wireless internet and audiovisual capabilities,” Keppinger said. Information on rates and availability are available online at www.louisianahouse.org.

Johnny Morgan