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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The
nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. -
FLASH(R), RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and its U.S.
affiliate WeatherPredict Consulting Inc., Simpson
Strong-Tie and State Farm today opened an interactive
and educational weather experience entitled StormStruck:
A Tale of Two Homes(TM) at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot(R) at
the Walt Disney World(R) Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/flash/34552/
StormStruck(TM) enables guests from around the world to
experience the power of a weather event while learning
how to best prepare for floods, hail, high winds,
lightning and more. The exhibit features a spectacular,
simulated, 4-D weather experience that combines a
variety of weather hazards into one "storm". After
guests have experienced the storm, they will learn about
cutting edge scientific research and new construction
technologies that can protect their home.
"This is a one-of-a-kind combination of interactivity
and education for weather of all kinds that will help
protect families and homes in the future," said Leslie
Chapman-Henderson, FLASH CEO and President. "We are
humbled by this opportunity to bring our vision and
mission to life and grateful for the generous commitment
of our sponsors."
Neill Currie, RenaissanceRe President and CEO, said: "StormStruck(TM)
represents an extraordinary opportunity to educate
homeowners about protecting themselves from major
storms. RenaissanceRe's business centers on
understanding weather perils to provide the best risk
coverage for our clients, many of whom provide insurance
to U.S. homeowners. Through this exciting initiative, we
believe we can help make communities more resilient as
well as reduce premium costs over time."
"With the large number of windstorms that we've seen
this year, there's no better time than now to make sure
homes are built right," said Terry Kingsfather,
president of Simpson Strong-Tie. "For most people their
homes are the largest investment they will ever make, so
it's important they protect them. This exhibit will help
homeowners understand how high winds affect their homes
and how to make sure their homes are storm ready by
installing such products as wind-resistant windows and
garage doors, and using metal connectors to secure their
roofs, walls and foundations."
"The StormStruck attraction provides an interactive and
educational way for individuals to learn how to better
protect their families and properties from weather
events," said Rod Matthews, underwriting vice president
for State Farm. "The experience at Innoventions and the
information provided on the Web site is a valuable
resource that will enable families to better prepare for
the unexpected. State Farm is extremely excited and
proud to be associated with this innovative effort."
"Epcot(R) is the theme park of discovery and it is
fitting that the park that celebrates technological
advancements would take the lead in providing important
information for our guests on storm mitigation. This
experience will provide a tremendous opportunity for the
public to learn more about how they can protect their
homes and families from weather perils," said Jim
MacPhee, Vice President, Epcot(R).
The INNOVENTIONS attraction, located in the heart of
Epcot(R), is more than 100,000 square feet of hands-on,
interactive exhibits where visitors from around the
globe can celebrate, inspiration and the innovations
that improve their lives and expand their horizons. The
weather-related experience will be located in
INNOVENTIONS East, one of two buildings in the pavilion
at Epcot(R).
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. - FLASH(R)
In 2008 the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes,
Inc. - FLASH(R), will be celebrating one decade of
disaster safety. Based in Tallahassee, Fla., FLASH is
the nation's fastest-growing disaster preparedness
organization with more than 100 partners from academic,
government, leadership, nonprofit, private and public
sector organizations. FLASH's award-winning consumer and
professional programs include disaster topics from hail
to hurricanes and more. To learn more about FLASH and
access free homeowner and homebuilder resources, visit
www.flash.org or call 850-385-7233.
RenaissanceRe
RenaissanceRe is a leading global provider of
catastrophe reinsurance and insurance. Established in
Bermuda in 1993, the Company is recognized for
excellence in the industry through disciplined
underwriting, capital management expertise,
sophisticated risk modeling and responsive client
service Its U.S. affiliate, WeatherPredict Consulting
Inc. is leading RenaissanceRe's hurricane risk
mitigation efforts -- an increasingly important
component of the Company's business strategy.
RenaissanceRe is traded on the New York Stock Exchange
under the ticker symbol 'RNR'. For more information,
visit www.renre.com.
WeatherPredict Consulting Inc.
WeatherPredict Consulting Inc. is a U.S. affiliate of
RenaissanceRe that models atmospheric hazards and their
impact on property exposures to create superior risk
analytics for businesses. WeatherPredict's team of
advanced scientists draws upon expertise in
oceanography, meteorology, wind engineering,
aerodynamics and computer simulation. For more
information, visit www.weatherpredict.com.
Simpson Strong-Tie
For more than 50 years, Simpson Strong-Tie has focused
on creating structural products that help people build
safer, stronger homes and buildings. The company's
products and research are recognized for increasing a
home's resistance to high winds, hurricanes and
earthquake forces. Simpson Strong-Tie products include
metal connectors, such as hurricane ties and joist
hangers, shearwall panels to reinforce a home's walls,
and anchor and fastening systems -- all of these
products work together to support and strengthen the
frame of a home. Although most homeowners never see many
of these products because they are hidden inside a
home's walls, they play an important role in making sure
a house stays together, especially during natural
disasters like hurricanes and high wind storms. For more
information, visit www.strongtie.com.
State Farm
State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other
insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of
watercraft, and is also a leading insurer in Canada.
State Farm's 17,000 agents and 67,000 employees serve
over 80 million auto, fire, life and health policies in
the United States and Canada, and more than two million
Bank and Mutual Fund accounts. State Farm Mutual
Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State
Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 32 on
the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more
information, please visit www.statefarm.com or in Canada
www.statefarm.ca.
INNOVENTIONS at Epcot(R)
INNOVENTIONS is located in the heart of Epcot(R) at the
Walt Disney World(R) Resort in Lake Buena Vista,
Florida. Creativity and imagination abound as guests
celebrate, inspiration and the innovations that improve
their lives and expand their horizons. Hands-on,
interactive exhibits allow children and adults to be
immersed into ideas that inform, entertain and inspire.
For more information, visit www.innoventions.disney.com
or contact Stacia Wake at 407-560-1816 or Stacia.L.Wake@disney.com
Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/flash/34552
Source: Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. - FLASH(R)
CONTACT: Lauren Walsh of Citrus PR for FLASH -
StormStruck, +1-858-240-4556 x101, Mobile:
+1-760-889-2909,
lwalsh@citruspublicrelations.com; or Zoe Boyer of
FLASH, +1-850-728-6789,
zoe@flash.org; or Stacia Wake of Walt Disney World,
+1-407-560-1816,
Stacia.L.Wake@disney.com
Web site:
http://www.flash.org/
http://www.renre.com/
http://www.weatherpredict.com/
http://www.strongtie.com/
http://www.statefarm.com/
http://www.innoventions.disney.com/
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