Texas Straight-Line Wind Damage Assessment Report

On March 29, 2017, straight-line winds reaching 100-110 mph struck Rockwall, Texas, causing severe damage to modern residential structures built under the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). This comprehensive damage assessment report examines what went wrong and why some homes failed catastrophically while others survived. The findings reveal critical construction weaknesses that, when addressed, can significantly improve a home's resilience to extreme wind events.

This publication is designed for: builders, engineers, architects

The report provides detailed photographic documentation and expert analysis of structural failures observed across multiple damaged homes. APA engineering teams identified six major categories of construction deficiencies that contributed to the extensive damage, offering practical recommendations for improvement based on decades of wind damage research.

Key sections include:

• Understanding straight-line winds – what they are and how they differ from tornadoes

• Wind damage observations – comprehensive field assessment findings

• Inadequate and improperly installed roof attachments

• Failures of the roof-to-wall connection

• Lack of wall rigidity

• Moisture intrusion

• Failure in facade attachment

Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.