This article was originally published in 2016 in partnership with the Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, and the Alabama Department of Insurance.
The April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak remains one of the most devastating storm events in Alabama's history. More than 200 people lost their lives, more than 2,000 injuries were reported, and 35 of 67 Alabama counties suffered damage. On that single day, 23,552 homes were damaged or destroyed.
The Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research at The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce partnered with the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, the Alabama Department of Insurance, and Smart Home America to produce a Tornado Preparedness Guide and Insurance Tips for the state of Alabama.
"Recent studies show that most people have short memories surrounding disasters," said Lars Powell, director of the Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research. "As unpleasant as it may be to remember a terrible storm, if we don't keep the public's attention, we will not be ready for the next event."
The guide helped Alabama residents prepare for storms, work with insurance companies in the recovery process, and understand some of the deadliest and costliest tornado outbreaks in state history.
"Tornado preparedness saves lives," said Jim Ridling, commissioner of insurance for the state of Alabama. "The time between detection and devastation is very short, and public education is the best strategy to keep people safe during tornadoes."
Home and business owners can reduce their risk and their insurance costs through FORTIFIED construction, the IBHS standard for resilient homes and commercial buildings. FORTIFIED uses a systems-based approach to creating stronger structures based on decades of research, testing, and real-world observations.
"If we don't learn from our mistakes, we are more likely to repeat them," Powell said. "Stronger construction methods could have prevented more than 85 percent of the losses to property from the storm, but many homes and businesses were rebuilt exactly as before."
For current tornado preparedness resources and information on building stronger, visit the IBHS research library or contact Smart Home America.