Proof miracles happen

[left-of-center2012]

This is one of the photos from the “17th annual Smithsonian magazine photo contest”

This home was in the direct line of a tornado that hit Ellerslie, Georgia.
Most of the trees on the property had fallen, but the house stood with minimal damage.



Click on link and scroll down for categories and more photos:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/archive/2019/

[Fla Dem]

1. Wow. Would love to hear an explanation of that phenomenon.

But kind of disappointed in the Grand prize winner. A stack of poor fish in plastic bags? What am I missing?

[csziggy]

2. You need to click on the photo

The image on the first page is only part of the picture. The page you get to when clicking has the entire picture and an explanation.

I don't want to spoil it for you - check it out!

[Fla Dem]

3. Yes I saw the explanation. It was a tornado that destroyed everything in its path but the house.

What I was looking for was some explanation on how the house survived. Was the structure made of steel and concrete? Doesn't even look like any shingles came off the house. Just wondering if there was a scientific explanation for the the house surviving.

[csziggy]

4. Actually, I was talking about the fish in bags

It's kinda a cool pic with the story behind it.

If the tornado didn't quite make it to the ground, that could explain the lack of damage to the house. Pine trees have very shallow root systems but can get really tall so if the tornado whipped the tops around, they could topple, but the house may not have been hit by high winds. Or it cold be a newer house with higher standard building standards so the roof was well tied in and screwed down. Or it could be - like my house - an ICF (insulated concrete form) house with concrete walls that could survive a tree falling directly on it.

[Fla Dem]

5. Thanks. It does explain the fish story.

And thanks for the reasoning behind the house surviving a tornado. My house as well is an insulated concrete form and was built after the hurricanes in Florida so has upgraded hurricane standards.