Update on Hurricane Helene

The International Code Council is deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by deadly Hurricane Helene. Our thoughts are with those affected during this incredibly difficult time.  

The Category 4 hurricane made landfall on Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday, September 26, 2024, bringing with it 140 mph winds, 15-foot storm surge and torrential rain. As the storm moved north over the weekend, it passed through Georgia, the Carolinas, and the Tennessee River Valley, bringing catastrophic flooding and landslides that have left communities isolated and destroyed. Millions of people remain without power, food and water. Search and rescue efforts are still active in several states. Government officials and aid groups are working to restore power and bring in basic supplies to the hardest hit areas. More than 100 people have lost their lives, and the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue missions continue. Early estimates on damage are in the billions of dollars.  

Disaster Recovery Resource for Building Safety Professionals 

When disasters strike, codes and standards serve as a baseline for the return to safe, sanitary, and habitable buildings. Code officials and their floodplain management counterparts rely on support from emergency managers and community leaders to help secure the critical resources needed to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community. To that end, FEMA has a disaster recovery policy specifically aimed at providing much-needed assistance for code officials and floodplain managers during disaster response and initial recovery for up to 180 days following a major disaster declaration. 

Learn how to apply for building code administration and enforcement assistance here. This policy, administered under FEMA’s program, offers reimbursement for critical community functions such as building code administration, code enforcement, floodplain management administration and enforcement, and conducting substantial damage survey inspections in affected communities. 

If you need assistance, please reach out to us through your regional Government Relations representative. 

For more information, visit the Code Council’s resource page. 

Download FEMA's DRRA 1206 resource here. 

As an aid to community disaster response, the Code Council and the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) sponsor the Disaster Response Alliance (DRA). The DRA maintains a national database of skilled, trained, and certified building safety professionals who are standing by and ready to assist communities in need. The DRA has assembled a cadre of skilled code officials, engineers, and others from across the country who are willing to assist with post-disaster safety assessments, building damage assessments, inspections, and surge support for other code-related functions. The Disaster Response Alliance brings together skilled, volunteer second responders in one place for easy access and quick mobilization. Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities may request assistance directly through the DRA website.  

Interested in becoming a DRA resource?  

The DRA is always looking for volunteers. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a DRA second responder resource, please visit the Volunteer Now link on the DRA website. Architects, engineers, and building safety professionals willing to make a difference during times of disaster are encouraged to apply. The DRA is also looking for individuals with specialized skills, knowledge, or abilities such as plans examiners, permit technicians, and building inspectors.