Why do people build in Tornado Alley?

In general, American homes are built as cheaply as possible. The reason homes in tornado-prone parts of the USA are not built strong enough to resist tornadoes is because the building codes don’t require a very strong structure, and because even those relatively weak codes are not enforced very consistently.

Why don’t people in Tornado Alley have basements?

But many suburban homes built in so-called Tornado Alley don’t have basements due to rocky soil conditions and high water tables, which often make building basements impossible. An interior room or closet—often recommended for those without basements—may not be effective when extreme winds or debris strike.

Why are there so many tornadoes in tornado alley?

In Tornado Alley, warm, humid air from the equator meets cool to cold, dry air from Canada and the Rocky Mountains. This creates an ideal environment for tornadoes to form within developed thunderstorms and super cells.

Why do people continue to live in hurricane zones?

But many choose where to live because “it just feels like home”. This sense of place compels people around the world to live where they do. The longer a person’s family has lived in a particular area, the more likely that person is to return home after being evacuated.

Can a mobile home be hit by a tornado?

Whereas most homes get torn off their foundations only by a direct tornado strike, mobile homes can come loose from lighter winds farther away from the funnel. However, many states that are hit most often by tornadoes are also the poorest, and “for most mobile home residents, it’s an affordability question,” Morrow said.

Is it worth it to fortify a home in Tornado Alley?

For most inhabitants of the southwest Missouri town and the rest of Tornado Alley, those odds are too low to justify the added expense that today’s fortifying materials tack onto the price of a home.

Can ICF protect people and homes in Tornado Alley?

The challenge of protecting people and homes in Tornado Alley is as much about economics as about engineering. ICF can fortify a house but it can’t protect a mobile home.

How can materials be made strong enough to withstand a tornado?

A giant spool of the material is rolled out around a hastily constructed frame; then the fabric is sprayed with water to set off a chemical reaction. Drying results in a low-profile structure that may be strong enough to resist the harsh winds of a tornado, according to Bradley Quinn, author of “Design Futures,” a new book on advanced materials.