Snow, wind and fire add up to need for resilient homes

A powerful snow cyclone hit Utah this week, including the popular ski resorts, at last. It had been 330 days since Salt Lake City had seen an inch of snow.

The snow drought has affected many parts of the West and this not only has implications for the tourism industry, agricultural production and water levels, but also an impending warning that the state might be experiencing extreme forms of weather.

If dry conditions persist, there will be risk of fires that could be worsened by high winds. Similarly, snow dumps can also trigger floods and other problems. Hence, it is vital for Park City to be resilient and prepare its act for extreme fires, wind and snow conditions.

A resilient home in Park City is a smart and strategic investment. Homes built or upgraded for fire, wind, snow and freeze-thaw conditions offer meaningful benefits beyond durability.

They can reduce ignition risk from embers, withstand heavy snow loads, and handle high winds. There is a lower risk of catastrophic fire damage, reduced roof collapse during heavy snowfall, and better protection during severe storms.

It’s not only about protecting or fortifying a structure, but also about safeguarding family and neighbors.

Everyone knows that property insurance is a financial shock absorber protecting net worth by covering for loss of use. It is also a requirement for financing and can serve as a post-disaster funding after a calamity strikes communities.

This is why in the world of property insurance, it is critical to be as accurate as possible. Today, risk assessment for properties has become precision science. Aerial imagery and geospatial intelligence enable experts to examine the micro-environment of a property including vegetation analysis, roof materials, and moisture content of surrounding areas. Geospatial intelligence provides a 3D view of an area’s vulnerability to floods through elevation modeling, surface permeability measurement, and even historic flow paths.

Living in Park City is a delightful blend of high adventure and convenience uncommon in a mountain town. Park City is just a 35- to 46-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport. It offers world-class grooming and infrastructure in winter and serves as an alpine summer retreat ideal for outdoor activities.

Unfortunately, Utah experiences increasingly dry summers with the wildfire risk elevated in mountain communities like Park City. Flammable roofing or siding materials, wind-driven embers, wood piles and vegetation too close to structures, and vents and eaves that allow ember intrusions are risks that must be addressed. 

Smart wildfire upgrades will include class A fire-rating roofing such as metal, composite, or treated shingles. Fiber cement, stucco, and masonry are examples of non-combustible siding that will deter fire. Vent covers that are ember-resistant, enclosed eaves, and boxed-in soffits protect a home from getting caught in a fire. It’s also ideal to build a defensible space zone around because these upgrades can dramatically reduce ignition risk.

For snow load and ice, heavy accumulation stresses the roofing while ice can cause water intrusion and structural damage. Some snow resilience strategies include investing in engineered roofs that accommodate local snow load requirements. In addition, insulating the attic properly to avoid uneven melting, fitting ice and water shield membranes beneath the roof, reinforcing gutters and downspouts, and heating roof edges or cables reduce roof stress if there is a high load of snow and ice. As a routine, snow removal and mid-winter roof inspections are important.

In general, direct hurricane hits in Utah are meteorologically impossible because of its inland and mountain location. However, we can experience intense mountain storms that can lift shingles, damage flashing, and compromise windows. Thus, fitting high-impact windows and doors, properly anchored roofing systems, reinforced garage doors, and regular inspection of flashing and seals will address heavy winds.

Investing in protective upgrades preserve property and protect the community. At the end of the day, accepted and recognized improvements may improve insurability and stabilize property values.   

Briana Hilton spent almost 10 years working in city planning for Salt Lake City Corp. before returning to Park City and starting a family. She has since rediscovered her first love of writing and enjoys contributing to a variety of online and print publications.

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