Guest Commentary by Jim Gandy

By -
Jim Gandy and I have been friends for nearly 30 years. We both worked for WKY TV in Oklahoma City and Jim was one of WeatherData's earliest employees.  Jim is now the chief meteorologist for WLTX TV in Columbia, SC. Given that 86% of the deaths in Friday and Saturday's tornadoes were-mobile home-related, I have asked him permission to publish this commentary on mobile homes and tornadoes:





PIGS CAN’T FLY, BUT MOBILE HOMES CAN

This is not about bashing mobile homes or the mobile home industry.  Mobile homes, or manufactured housing as many in the industry like to say, provide an affordable alternative to traditional homes for many families.  Even I considered buying a mobile home early in my career in Oklahoma City, the most tornado prone city in the world.

However, many who buy mobile homes are not aware of the risks and the salesman is not going to point them out unless he can make money off of it.  When I was considering my move to a mobile home it included construction of an underground tornado shelter.  My mobile home and shelter would have been stocked with NOAA Weather Radios.  The shelter would have had emergencies supplies and communication devices.  In addition, it would have had a mechanical wrench to open the door if it was covered by debris.

I recently received an email from someone who wanted to know if the bathroom was a safe place to go in a mobile home as a tornado approached.  Truth of the matter is that there is no safe place to go in a mobile home during a tornado.  That is why you are encouraged to leave and seek more substantial shelter.

If you live in a mobile home, the first thing to do in preparing for severe weather is to make sure the home is tied down securely.  A professional should do this and the home should be tied down to withstand at least 100 mph winds.  This will help keep the mobile home from flying away in a severe thunderstorm.  However, this does not make it safe in a tornado or hurricane.

Next make sure there is a substantial shelter nearby.  This can be a designated shelter, traditional home, or a constructed storm shelter.  Make sure you have a NOAA Weather Radio with a battery back up and know how to use it.  Know where you live and the surrounding communities so that you will know how close the severe weather is to your area.

Finally, have a plan and practice it with the entire family.  When severe weather strikes you have to know what to do automatically.

There is only so much you can do to secure a mobile home.  The tie downs are a must, but they do not make it safe in a tornado or hurricane.  Here winds can exceed 100 mph and the ties may fail.  The home can be totally destroyed even if the ties hold.

I remember a case near Lawton, Oklahoma and I think it was in the early 1980’s.  A tornado hit a mobile home that was tied down to withstand 110 mph winds.  The tie downs did their job and the mobile home did not fly away.  However, it was completely destroyed and the person inside was killed.  The tie downs kept the home in place, but the winds ripped apart the home as the seams broke.  Thus, it literally disintegrated in its place.  The debris flying around the mobile home were like missiles and were deadly.  The tie downs could be plainly seen in the aftermath holding the debris in place.

Therefore, you should not have any illusions about the safety of mobile homes in severe weather.  They can be a dangerous place to be.  However, if you plan for such events you can rest a lot easier.

Consider this piece of advice.  Move to more permanent shelter whenever a tornado watch is issued.  Tornadoes can occur at any time and you may not have time to seek proper shelter.  Then return to the home when the danger has passed.  Never try to ride out a direct hit from a hurricane in a mobile home.  The danger again is too great.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The East Coast Severe Weather Threat is Over

By -
Image
Midnight: The East Coast Threat for Tornadoes and Severe  Thunderstorms Has Ended 3:50pm. Tornado watch for the Middle Atlantic Region. 2:30pm Tornadoes are also forecast in the South. 2:20pm. A couple of tornadoes, hail and wind gusts to 65 mph are possible with these storms. This includes NYC and Philadelphia.  1:05pm. The tornado risk has been extended northward into New York. The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes. Remember: if a tornado warning is issued, go to your basement and get under heavy furniture like a pool table. Of, if your basement is finished, get into the bathroom. Go ahead an put a couple of water bottles and, if appropriate, diapers in your shelter area. Wear shoes.  If you don't have a basement or safe room, go to the lowest floor and get into a bath or closet in the middle of your home. Children should be put in the bathtub.  I'll update later today. 
Read more

Today's Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Outlook - 9:30pm

By -
Image
After 65 mph winds went through Wichita, we have been without power for 35 minutes. So, I am going to have to end coverage for the night (using backup systems to write this). Scroll down for the forecast of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms for Sunday and Sunday night.  Please read down for the latest forecasts regarding this dangerous tornado and damaging wind situation! 5:40pm, a new "regular" tornado watch has been issued for north central Kansas.  Note that wind gusts to 80 mph are likely in this storm in addition to tornadoes and giant hail. Please make sure friends and relatives in the area are aware of the danger in the area outlined in red below plus the red area outlined at 2:50pm  In addition to "several strong tornadoes," hail to 4.8" in diameter is forecast along with wind gusts to 80 mph. Now is the time for persons living in mobile homes, manufactured homes and those with mobility issues should be making plans!!  Do not wait until a tornado warn...
Read more

Updated Freezing Rain and Heavy Rain Forecast

By -
Image
Note: An Updated Forecast is Available HERE Freezing Rain The National Weather Service has now issued winter weather advisories, two warnings and a watch. It may be a bit too large but, when it comes to freezing rain and slick roads, caution is usually the better course of action.  Here's a color code: Deep purple is an ice storm warning; serious condition where power outages are possible. Pink is a winter storm warning for significant icing. Deep green is a winter storm watch. I don't know why this is still a watch. If I were on the forecast desk I would have a winter storm warning for icing.  Dark blue is a winter weather advisory, a lesser condition, for icing.  Here is a view of the entire watch/warning/advisory area. The small area of green in Illinois is for flooding and, in Nebraska, for snow.  Here is a forecast of freezing rain amounts; totals to 6am Tuesday.  Color codes: Yellow is 0.25 to 0.50 inches. Power outages may occur in this areas. Deep blue i...
Read more