Manufactured homes, commonly known as mobile homes, carry a higher risk of damage or destruction during high winds and tornadoes. Their construction and materials make them more susceptible to wind forces and flying debris. Research indicates that even with proper anchoring systems, these homes may still be at a significant disadvantage compared to traditional homes. Studies have shown that higher wind speeds can cause structural failures in manufactured homes, resulting in severe damage. Therefore, caution and additional safety measures should be taken by residents living in manufactured homes located in tornado-prone areas..
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – While manufactured homes have come a long way, the statistics show they are still not a safe place to shelter in place.
If storms produce tornadoes near your area, plan to evacuate to a nearby building with more walls between you and the outside.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Associated Press, storms rated an EF2 or lower on the Enhanced Fujita scale led to 79% of deaths at home since 1996 have been in mobile homes. That risk is dangerous because manufactured homes only comprise six percent of US housing.
When tornadoes are stronger than an EF3 rating, the risk is about the same for all types of homes.
“One of the misconceptions about tornadoes is that hey, my mobile home or manufactured home has tie downs, or I’m on a foundation of whatever it is,” KY3′s First Alert Meteorologist Brandon Beck said. “Statistics say that even EF0 or EF1 tornadoes that, as far as the tornado scale is concerned, we wouldn’t think are that strong can still roll mobile homes.”
Before any warnings are issued, that’s the time to make a plan. You can call your local Emergency Management office for shelter hours and information. Be sure you have a way to get alerts and warnings.
You can download the free KY3 First Alert Weather App or use a weather radio if you lose power.
Some manufactured homes and RVs are in rural areas, so Beck recommends getting familiar with people nearby in the case of a severe storm.
“Whether it be a neighbor or maybe a business, that’s what is closest to you. So that in the event of a tornado warning, and especially if we’re talking, hey, this is confirmed, you know exactly where you’re going to go. So you don’t have to think about it,” Beck explained.
In the worst-case scenario, the National Weather Service recommends evacuating the mobile home and driving to a safer location in the event of a tornado warning.
This is very dangerous, but your life is more important than anything. Beck thinks in those rare occurrences, your best chance of survival is in a ditch or anywhere with a lower elevation.
For more information on what to consider when preparing for storms in a manufactured home, click here.
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Manufactured homes, also known as mobile homes, are still not considered a safe place to seek shelter during tornadoes, despite improvements. According to statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Associated Press, 79% of deaths at home due to tornadoes since 1996 have occurred in mobile homes. Even storms rated EF2 or lower on the Enhanced Fujita scale pose a significant risk. Manufactured homes make up only 6% of US housing, but when tornadoes are stronger than an EF3, the risk is the same for all types of homes. Therefore, it is advised to evacuate to a nearby building with more walls between you and the outside. In case of a worst-case scenario, the National Weather Service recommends evacuating the mobile home and driving to a safer location, potentially a ditch or an area with lower elevation.
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