Tornado-proof houses when rebuilding
After Joplin’s devastating tornado, which savagely ripped apart conventional housing, leaving block after block of nothing but kindling wood, wouldn’t it make sense to rebuild using tornado-proof structures? Yes, tornado-proof structures.
Impossible, you say? Why? Modern-day jet aircraft in effect fly through “winds” two to three times as powerful as the strongest tornado winds. In a tornado-proof structure, the basic premise is to build something that won’t blow apart or won’t blow away. How about a structure built below ground with a dome as a roof that protrudes only slightly above ground? The dome would need to be made of a strong material to resist breakage from flying debris.
And, of course, it would need to be securely fastened to the house foundation. Such a structure would be aerodynamically sound so that fierce tornadic winds merely blow over it. How could such a house be dislodged or torn apart?
A home below ground? Yes, why not? Even the “garage” could be below the dome. Portions of the dome could likely include sections of thick glass-like material that could let in light to the home interior. Maybe the dome could even be of a geodesic design with numerous “porthole” type “windows.”
What about the cost? As architects master this type of a tornado-proof house, surely they will come up with schemes to lower building costs. And just think of how the insurance companies will love tornado-proof houses.
Joe Schrantz
Villa Park