VALRICO, Florida — A website designed to help homeowners protect their houses from strong winds saw a spike in visitors after Hurricane Michael devastated the Panhandle.

"With the advent of things like Hurricane Michael and everything, that's when people want information," said Mike Romoldi, vice president of Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.

Rimoldi has posted videos of himself offering tips and tutorials for homeowners on www.flash.org, his organization's website.  Residents seeking information on how to protect their homes from hurricane-force winds logged on after Hurricane Michael made landfall. 

An estimated 250,000 homes in Hillsborough County were built before 2001, when the state passed a law requiring tougher building codes for homes and buildings. If a major storm were to strike, those buildings would likely suffer damage. 

FLASH recommends homeowners outfit their roofs with metal connectors for added resistance against strong winds and using impact glass for their windows. If they don't have impact glass, shutters are another option, Rimoldi said.

"It's easier for you to recover from any potential storms and it's less time you may be out of your home repairing damage," he said. 

FEMA and some Florida counties offer grants to help pay for hurricane-related remodels.