FEMA team reported no structural damage in sampled Virgin Islands homes with updated roof design

A FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team reported on March 28, 2018, that it observed no structural damage in a sample of St. Thomas homes built with an updated roof design funded after Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn in 1995.

According to Government House, FEMA provided about $30 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program after the 1995 storms, and part of that funding supported the Home Protection Roofing Program.

The assessment team also visited about 75 homes with integral gutters and reported that none of the gutters broke loose or were damaged during Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Government House said some inspection team members also pointed to changes in the territory's building code after Hurricane Marilyn. The U.S. Virgin Islands adopted the 1994 Uniform Building Code following FEMA recommendations, and Government House said buildings repaired or constructed under that code showed less roof damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria than structures built before 1994.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/no-structural-damage-observed-in-homes-built-with-updated-roof-design/