Do tornadoes target mobile home parks?
There are numerous rumors about tornadoes “targeting” mobile homes and trailer parks. This is NOT true. Tornadoes do not favor anything but weather conditions. They are more likely to form in certain parts of the country, but they do not target structures or specific locations.
The reason this myth is so popular is probably because it does seem like mobile homes are hit more, but there are several reasons behind this; location of mobile homes, structural stability of mobile homes and popular news stories.
Jillian MacMath, a staff writer for AccuWeather, says that “It is important… to consider where most mobile homes are located geographically and how susceptible that landscape is to severe weather.” Research shows that a high percentage of mobile homes in the country are located in tornado alley.
Mobile homes are not usually securely fastened to their foundations and are not as structurally stable as a normal house built on a concrete slab. A tornado that might barely dust over a structurally stable house might completely destroy and flip over a mobile home. This would give the appearance of the tornado “targeting” the mobile homes in the area.
When a tornado strikes a well built house, it may or may not be completely destroyed, but when a tornado strikes a mobile home, it is most likely going to be catastrophic. Senior Vice President of AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions Mike Smith said, “The perception that mobile homes are struck disproportionately is due to the fact that media is attracted to photos of serious damage and/or serious injuries. Both are more common with mobile homes in tornadoes, especially if they are not tied down. So, people see reporters doing “standups” in front of mobile homes and it creates a perception that mobile homes are struck more often.”
So. We know that tornadoes are not targeting anyone, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be ready. Keep your family safe and be ready for the storms in an NSSA certified storm shelter from Tornado Alley Armor.
