National Hurricane Preparedness Week was observed May 27-June 2 and served as a lead-in to the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts there is a 70-percent chance of nine to 15 named storms this year, four to eight hurricanes, and one to three major hurricanes. Already last month, Tropical Storm Alberto and Tropical Depression Beryl formed in the Southeast with Beryl producing record amounts of rainfall.

"Even though our annual Building Safety Month celebration ended last week, our efforts to promote awareness and mitigation before storms strike always remain at the forefront of our organization's mission," said Code Council CEO Richard P. Weiland. "Our Members' jobs are to protect the citizens who live in their jurisdictions from storms and other disasters, and our organization's job is to provide them the tools they need to do that as well as raise awareness of their life-saving work."

The Code Council offers numerous safety recommendations to help citizens prepare for the hurricane season, including tips for before, during and after storms. Publications are available that include information for protecting homes and families, flood cleanup, and tips on mold prevention and control. The Council also offers several seminars related to hurricane preparedness to assist public safety officials, design professionals, inspectors, builders and contractors.

ICC is currently developing the 2013 edition of ICC 500: Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, and the second meeting of the ICC Consensus Committee on Residential High Wind Construction will be held June 25-27 to develop and consider committee proposals on the 2008 edition of the ICC 600 Standard for Residential Construction in High-Wind.

To assist in disaster recovery efforts, the Council provides building safety professionals an opportunity to volunteer to help affected jurisdictions with building damage assessment, building inspections and other code-related functions through the Disaster Response Network.