penguinsix

Take a look at Google Maps:

Google map "Joplin MO"

On the left you will have an option for "Recent Floods and Tornadoes" which will map the tornado's path through the city.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ftr=cris...rnadoes_4_2011

A few things of note:

* You can switch to satellite view or street view to get an idea of the construction of homes pre-tornado (primarily wood homes in this area)

* You will see a few sturdier places, such as the commercial buildings that were built with cinderblocks and cement. In the red zone of most destruction those are basically gone as well. In the areas that were not under the direct path some brick structures may be standing whereas the wood homes are gone, but in the direct path nearly everything is flattened.

S Folinsky

Interesting article. I note that they say you really can't protect the roof. The article also notes "hurricane clips" which strikes me as echoing what I was saying on the methods of connecting the structure.

S Folinsky

BTW, not all wood framed buildings are alike. As I mentioned, there have been advances in how you put these things together.

For example, "shear walls" are now required. Here in LA, there is a construction inspection, both exterior and interior on the lathing to insure it is nailed/screwed correctly. Quite often, various connectors are required [should've bought stock in Simpson Strong Tie]. This has to be done before the covering goes on.

The structure must be tied to the foundation. [My house is unusual for pre-war construction. It was tied to the perimeter foundation, albeit bolts were 6' on center rather than the 4' required under today's codes].

I've noted that many of the lumber piles in Joplin do not contain sheathing.

"They don't build them like they used to." They won't let 'em.

PS -- I am talking about the "bones" of modern construction methods. The decorative finish stuff is not as attractive as the old stuff.

Sally Redux

I may be relying too much in what we were told on a trip to Santa Barbara Mission, where the adobe buildings had survived an earthquake which devastated the other structures.

penguinsix

For those who haven't seen it, these are two pretty amazing videos.

The first is what it was actually like in the storm when it hit. A dozen people or so ran into a gas station/convenience store to take shelter, and when the storm came through they hid in the freezer for safety, crying and praying as the winds ripped through. It's almost like a horror movie (starting about minute 2:10 or so)



The second video is the aftermath, where the guy went back to see what remained. You'll see some pretty amazing footage of the destruction, including some cinderblock walls blown down.

Giantaxe

Instead of worrying about brick vs wood, a better bet might be to require cellars and/or tornado shelters.

S Folinsky

I was there a few weeks back and was told that the mission had suffered considerable quake damage -- see here.

Sally Redux

When do you reckon the next 'big one' will come?

GeoffM

I live in an area that was apparently the biggest building site in Europe. Thousands of new houses over the last decade and they're still building. All the ones I've seen are breeze block inner walls and brick exterior. Note that the brickwork is not just decorative though, it also forms the insulation barrier.

Rather crazily, they're building on well known flood plains too. A field surrounded by a stream and a railway embankment always had large areas under water after rain. Now there are houses instead. Somehow they're insured and mortgaged.

Michael

Safe rooms (usually small rooms built under the concrete garage floor or house concrete slab) are becoming common in recent years in tornado alley. They are small and cheap to build in a new house. A cellar may not be safe if it is not below a concrete floor since a F4-5 tornado can rip a wood framed attached floor from the cellar.

Even if someone builds a steel frame with rebar brick house, that still won't protect anyone since windows will break causing debris flying through the windows. Also the roof will likely be torn off in a direct F4-5 tornado hit.

Insomniac

Here's some pictures showing brick buildings. If you'll notice while some are still partially standing, the roof being torn off has all but demolished them. There's not much you can do against the awesome power of a tornado. Storm shelters are the only good protection.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ouri-town.html

Tarkak9

... its been more than 4 hours, you might want to seek medical attention....

Bluegrass Lass

I thought about saying that myself. When we were house hunting 4yrs ago, I refused to consider any house without a basement because of tornadoes. A basement isn't perfect by any means, but it's a hell of a lot better than a slab foundation house. I don't understand why it isn't standard for houses that are in Tornado Alley.

S Folinsky

I refused to buy a slab house even though I'm not in Tornado Alley. However, the reasons have nothing to do survivability.

Also, it strikes me that a storm shelter need not be directly under the house.

Anian

House building and renovation causes women to become super-fertile it would seem. Every single program about house building and renovation seems to have a good 50% of women become pregnant, Sarah Beany must have had a dozen kids. If you know a couple who are struggling to conceive, tell them to do up a house. My sister laughed at me when I told her. Seven years of trying with no success, she buys a new house and starts extreme decorating and the patter of tiny feet appeared a year later. Suggested it to my next door neighbour. Wham! Must be some kind of nesting instinct.

Probably explains why there are so few women builders, they are all pregnant