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North Carolina invests in fortified roofs for hurricane preparedness
NC celebrated 15,000 fortified roofs as leaders push for storm-ready homes and tax-free grants to expand access amid rising climate risks and insurance costs.
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina reached a major milestone in coastal resilience Friday, celebrating the installation of its 15,000th fortified roof—an upgrade designed to protect homes from hurricane-force winds and heavy rain.
The North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) hosted a luncheon Friday to mark the achievement. NCIUA has invested more than $100 million into programs that help coastal homeowners upgrade to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s (IBHS) FORTIFIED Roof standard.
“The best defense against storms is our roof,” said Roy Wright, CEO of IBHS, speaking at the ceremony in Wilmington. “These kinds of incremental investments become the pathway to return after evacuation—you need to have a home to come back to.”