General Discussion

Chan790

(20,176 posts)

7. That yields a follow-up...

Tue May 21, 2013, 03:35 PM

May 2013

Knowing this is a problem, doesn't this create a necessity for building codes that stress more tornado-resistant buildings?

I mean it wouldn't have made a difference yesterday in OK, that thing was killer...but usually they show the devastation and it's people living in mobile-homes and wood-framed structures.

I'd think minimally they could reduce some of this by making people build with steel-frame or bricks or cast-concrete...yes, the building cost is higher but the climate-control costs would be lower, the insurance costs would be substantially-lower, the loss of property and loss of life would be so much lower (and can you really put a price on those?) as to offset increased cost.

Minimally, this is a move that needs be made in public buildings...if for no other reason than to exponentially-increase the number of safe structures for people living in unsafe structures.

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For all those who were asking:Why Don't More Homes in Oklahoma Have Basements? [View all] dixiegrrrrl May 2013 OP

It's like people think that those who live in Tornado Alley have never considered these things. Brickbat May 2013 #1

Yes, they can build to resist normal tornadoes with hurricane straps and such Kolesar May 2013 #6

So what? Eddie Haskell May 2013 #2

It's not just waterproofing... NYC_SKP May 2013 #4

But there was that one guy who had what looked like about a 6 foot square little space with Squinch May 2013 #11

These are the option, reinforced bunkers, don't even need to be below grade. NYC_SKP May 2013 #13

You mean something like a "Storm Cellar" Bandit May 2013 #15

But am I right in thinking there were very few in this area? The news reporter was Squinch May 2013 #17

the water table where I live is 3 ft along with clay soil. We have a basement notadmblnd May 2013 #12

I'll agree that high water table doesn't preclude basements, especially partial basements. NYC_SKP May 2013 #18

up here we put drainage ditches in. notadmblnd May 2013 #20

We call them French drains, but they work more for rain water than for water table. NYC_SKP May 2013 #21

ours extended probably 10 ft past the house out toward the back yard. notadmblnd May 2013 #22

The acidic clay soil on my wet wet lot dissolved the calcium in our basement's mortar and blocks Kolesar May 2013 #3

Some states, like mine, have a NO disclosure law. dixiegrrrrl May 2013 #8

Despite that, I still made a profit on my house when I sold it ten years ago Kolesar May 2013 #9

Reinforced concrete block safe closets are an option. nt NYC_SKP May 2013 #5

That yields a follow-up... Chan790 May 2013 #7

I think we also need to become prepared for more of these "once in a lifetime" Squinch May 2013 #16

What would prevent communtiy tunnel bunkers, Isoldeblue May 2013 #10

Went through a big tornado years ago and it turned out that if we had gone to the basement we would jwirr May 2013 #14

Lots of people have tornado shelters LeftInTX May 2013 #19

Most if not all old houses in rural Texas had cellars (partially underground,..... northoftheborder May 2013 #23

Doesn't match my experience FreeJoe May 2013 #24