General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Moore Schools Have One of "Biggest and Best Stadiums in the State," but no storm shelter for kids [View all]Chemisse
(31,371 posts)It looks like they did have a basement:
"Some of the children drowned because they were in the basement area, water came in," Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb told CNN.
Even so, the horror has already sparked calls for changes in Oklahoma schools.
While Plaza Towers Elementary apparently did have a basement, it did not have a storm shelter.
"Most of the schools in Oklahoma don't have one" because of the cost, Moore Mayor Glenn Lewis told CNN. But he said he's sure that will change now.
Schools that rebuilt after a massive tornado in 1999 do have storm shelters, he said.
Oklahoma state Rep. Mark McBride called for legislation next year. "The children are sacred. We need to protect these kids," he said.
The state is so used to having tornadoes that people "get lax" and think "it's not a big deal," he said.
Now, McBride added, "it's got to change."
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/21/us/oklahoma-tornado-school/?hpt=hp_c1