The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s FORTIFIED program has surpassed 100,000 designations nationwide, marking a milestone for the storm-resilient construction and re-roofing standard.

The voluntary program, developed by IBHS through decades of research, is designed to strengthen homes and buildings against high winds and wind-driven rain by improving vulnerable areas such as roofs and building envelopes.

IBHS President and CEO Roy Wright said the milestone reflects growing efforts to strengthen homes before disasters occur.

“Reaching 100,000 FORTIFIED designations is a powerful signal of a growing national commitment to make homes stronger before severe weather strikes,” Wright said.

IBHS said adoption has accelerated in recent years, with more than half of all designations earned during the past three years. The organization attributed the growth to expanding grant programs, insurance incentives and increased awareness of disaster mitigation.

Research following Hurricane Sally in 2020 found that homes built or retrofitted to the FORTIFIED standard sustained less damage than nearby conventional homes, according to a University of Alabama study cited by IBHS.

Related: Louisiana's FORTIFIED Revolution 20 Years After Katrina

Alabama leads the nation in FORTIFIED designations through its Strengthen Alabama Homes grant program and related incentives. Similar programs have expanded in North Carolina and Louisiana, while other states, including Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi and Oklahoma, are considering mitigation initiatives.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple said demand for stronger homes has increased as homeowners seek ways to reduce storm losses and insurance costs.

The program, initially focused on single-family homes, has expanded to include commercial and multifamily buildings. IBHS said it expects adoption to continue growing as more states incorporate FORTIFIED standards into grants, insurance programs and disaster recovery policies.

"FORTIFIED reduces storm damage and improves recovery outcomes for homeowners and communities," said Gina Hardy, CEO of the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association / North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association. "By aligning insurance incentives, endorsements, and grant programs with proven construction standards, we are helping make stronger roofs and homes more accessible while reducing losses and strengthening long-term community resilience."