Low-Slope Lessons from 30 Years of Hurricane Events

This course was initially presented at the 2021 International Convention and Tradeshow.

The Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) deployed Mitigation Assessment Teams (MATs) after Hurricanes Irma and Michael impacted Florida in 2017/2018. The MATs included participation from industry, academia, regulators, insurers, and other interests. The teams were deployed in affected areas after the storms to study wind damage, report observations, and make recommendations on how to improve construction methods and help reduce the chance of damage from future storms. This presentation will provide a review of the recommendations from the MAT reports and show how high winds can impact construction. It will include consideration of wind damage to roof assemblies, as well as water damage to structures and contents resulting from wind-driven rain, and will focus on the specific recommendations from FEMA as well as the roofing industry response.

Aaron R. Phillips

Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) | Washington, DC

Aaron R. Phillips, ARMA’s VP of technical services, has worked in the asphalt roofing industry since 1988. His career began at TAMKO Building Products LLC, where he spent time in R&D and technical services. Throughout his career, Aaron has been active in various industry organizations, including more than twenty-five years of service as an ARMA volunteer.