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 http://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 http://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 http://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 http://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 http://www.statefarm.com/ or in Canada http://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 http://www.innoventions.disney.com/ or contact Stacia Wake at 407-560-1816 or http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/flash/34552DATASOURCE: 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, ; or Zoe Boyer of FLASH, +1-850-728-6789, ; or Stacia Wake of Walt Disney World, +1-407-560-1816, 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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