3/16/12 Tornadoes vs. Mobile Homes

Last year was one for the records books concerning tornadoes and tornado fatalities, but so far, this year isn't far behind. Kentucky had the most tornadoes in January history this year. Then, only 2 months later the state was hit by even more devastating tornadoes, along with 12 other states. Since tornadoes are becoming a more frequent occurrence, the question becomes how to survive them. Despite what many people believe, tornadoes do NOT seek out trailer homes to destroy them, however, the fatality rate is exceptionally higher for people in mobile homes compared to conventional homes. Here is an excerpt of statistics from the Montgomery Advertiser from the storms on March 2nd:

 

"Near Paintsville, Ky., a double-wide mobile home was blown off its foundation and over a 25-foot embankment into a rushing creek, where it "just disintegrated," the county coroner said, killing two people, including a 16-year-old boy. In Lawrence County, Ky., a woman and her 14-year-old granddaughter were crushed when their double-wide trailer was slammed against a nearby hill by winds reaching 140 mph.

In Scott County, Ind., a man was killed when his mobile home was blown about 80 feet feet across a highway and into adjacent Clark County. And in New Pekin, Ind., a family of five died after being blown out of their single-wide trailer by winds that left it flattened."

 

 

 

A mobile home photographed March 3 was obliterated in the tornado that hit the Henryville, Ind., area. Courtesy: Pat McDonogh, Gannett

A total of sixteen people in Kentucky, and eight in Indiana, died from a direct result of their mobile homes not being able to withstand the strong winds from the twisters. Those 24 deaths make up about two-thirds of the 34 people killed from the tornado outbreak on March 2nd. Weather experts say this information is not surprising at all. In fact, the National Storm Prediction Center  found that people who live in these manufactured homes, which are lighter weight, and not very well anchored, are 20 times more likely to be killed in tornadoes than those in conventional homes.

However, the safety concern is not just for tornadoes, but hurricanes as well. Back in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, 97% of all manufactured homes in Dade County were destroyed, compared with only 11% of conventional homes. As of now, no states are looking to implement new legislature demanding stricter requirements for mobile homes, but once more surveys of tornado damage are conducted that may change. 

 

Sources: Montgomery Advertiser, Chattanooga Times Free Press, USA Today, Lousiville Courier Journal