The Top 20 FORTIFIED Cities in 2020 

Last year broke records for the number of named storms and hurricanes. The year also saw record growth in FORTIFIED Home™ Designations. As we tallied the Top 20 FORTIFIED Cities for 2020, the trends showed that FORTIFIED designations were already increasing before hurricane season began. 

After Hurricane Sally tested the largest concentration of FORTIFIED homes and FORTIFIED roofs in the nation in coastal Alabama, we expect an even greater uptake in stronger construction methods in many coastal areas. The superior performance of FORTIFIED homes and FORTIFIED roofs during the long-duration category 2 storm has convinced many homeowners to build back stronger using FORTIFIED.  

A FORTIFIED Roof™ is a roofing method that effectively withstands the wind and rain of up to category 3 hurricanes or higher. FORTIFIED homes survived a direct hit from category 5 Hurricane Michael. 

In some states, FORTIFIED qualifies homeowners for discounts on their insurance policies and provides tax credits. 

View our interactive map to see the number of FORTIFIED homes in cities near you and see the list of the Top 20 FORTIFIED Cities of 2020 below. There are a few new names on the list thanks to the Strengthen Your Roof grant program in North Carolina, while other cities moved up the list due to growth or an increased focus on resilience. 

Regardless of where your city stands, now is the time to invest in resilience and FORTIFIED before the next disaster visits your town. We can reduce the damage caused by tornados, hurricanes, thunderstorms, hail, and high winds. 

Data courtesy of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). To see monthly updates on FORTIFIED Home™ designations by state, visit IBHS.org.