Oklahoma Tornado

[Bazile]

There is no doubt about it - this was a powerful tornado that wreaked havoc across the city .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22605020

I note that ( not only in this disaster , but previous ones elsewhere in the states ) a lot of buildings are constructed of timber and not bricks .

Wouldn't the instances of loss of life and injury be markedly reduced , if a lot more buildings were constructed of bricks ?

[Clanad]

I live in the U.S. and travel to Oklahoma City (known also simply as OKC) often and find the majority of buildings, both private and governmental are of brick and mortar. It's only in the older parts of the residential areas (OKC is a relatively young city, established in 1889 coincidental with the Oklahoma Land Run that began the State) that one finds "stick built" homes and businesses.

The building codes have developed over the years to include numerous items not found in other cities, such as metal rafter tiedown brackets, strapping anchored in cement for modular and trailer homes and, within the last few years a tax rebate is offered if "safe rooms" are constructed. These approximate the old fashioned storm cellars that were once prevalent in the Great Plains States.

Even the brick and mortar homes have weaknesses... especially since most of the roof structures are still wood.

By the way, it's not just Oklahoma City and its suburbs that are at risk... "Tornado Alley" is a well established fact and includes much of Texas, Oklahoma, over half of Kansas and on into Arkansas and Missouri.

This year began as a less than average tornado season due to the late spring (it takes warming of the Earth to produce the effect.) It's just that this particular one was at leas an EF4 or maybe even a 5, with winds in excess of 200mph, whereas most are around a maximum of 120 mph.

[Gromit]

Don't they tend to have brick built bunkers?

Not sure the force of a tornado that a brick above ground construction would help much.

[Bazile]

Clanad , so how has the areas of the city faired , which are not "stick built" - has there been serious damage as well ?

[tamborine]

Bricks cant withstand 200mph winds and their concrete car park was flattened along with peeps & cars.

Buildings are constructed with tornados in mind and cellars are some escape

[society]

(Tambo, I see you get an avatar :)

[tamborine]

Sssshh - I've been replaced by HHighness' younger bride … pixie - lol

[Clanad]

Bazile... the worst damage was to the suburb of Moore, some thirty miles from OKC proper. The problem was not only the strength of the tornado, but that it stayed on the ground for some 20 miles.

The school were all the children were killed was a low lying, brick and mortar structure. Buildings of that nature must be built of cement blocks with a facade of brick and the whole structure is ground anchored with steel reinforcing (known here as 'rebar') to tie it all together.

First reports are that the roof of the school was badly damaged by debris being blown onto and into it as the storm proceeded. Secondly, and unimagineably, a water main broke and flooded the area were most of the children were staying... a central hll that was reinforced and generally considered to be safe.

Undoubtedly, more information will be forthcoming, but another storm of near this magnitude is forecast for this afternoon. (It's about 0930AM here as I write this.) The peak of the tornadic outbreaks begins to increase at 2:00 to 4:00 PM when conditions are right for their development.

[Bazile]

thanks for that - i hope all those affected will be able to try and rebuild their lives soon

[Clanad]

By the way... here's a short clip of a video-phone taken shortly after the event from out local newspaper's site:

http://billingsgazette.com/news/national/crews-dig-through-night-after-deadly-okla-twister/article_a8b15f58-c21a-11e2-914f-001a4bcf887a.html

[humbersloop]

sadly, sometimes there's no gainsaying natural forces Bazile

thanks for that information Clanad, a terrible convergence of events for the people concerned

[LazyGun]

Must have been terrifying for the residents. Despite our often crummy weather in the UK, I am thankful we do not have to worry about such extreme weather conditions. I know, we have seen the occasional tornado or its equivalent over here - but nothing like the power and frequency with which they occur in the US.