Video Tells Story of Family Escape from Hurricane Sandy to Nearby Concrete Home

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes® (FLASH) launched a new video in its "Tale of Two Homes" series, titled "Hurricane Sandy: The Story of Survival". Released for the one-year anniversary of the storm, the story features the Sochacki family of Union Beach, NJ, who survived but lost their home and most of their neighborhood. Seth and Karyn Sochacki, their sons and pets survived by sheltering next door in a concrete home. The Sochacki's 800-square foot, 1940's home broke apart and the debris spread over a five block area.  They are alive today because of the elevated concrete home next door, owned by Karyn's mom and built in 2006 to current building codes and standards. After the storm, the concrete home was the only home remaining on the Sochacki's side of the street.

"For 15 years, we have been sharing the 'Tale of Two Homes' that unfolds in every disaster where one home survives and one does not. Seth and Karen's powerful story tells the tale and its life saving lesson yet again," said Leslie Chapman Henderson, president and CEO of FLASH. "We have choices when building or choosing our homes and we can have it all - affordability and strength, but most importantly safety and survival."

FLASH partners from the Portland Cement Association (PCA) brought FLASH and the Sochacki family together. According to PCA's Donn Thompson, "We appreciate the Sochacki's willingness to share their story and encourage families to build safe and strong, and we are proud to partner with FLASH to bring this story to others." In addition to the new video story, FLASH worked with PCA experts and developed information about building with concrete.