Norman City Council Votes To Close Public Buildings As Storm Shelters

[Questor]

I understand the city's decision, but at the same time I feel sorry for anyone who lives in an apartment complex in Norman. A lot of the older ones look like they wouldn't provide much protection from anything let alone a strong tornado. Is it really best that these folks shelter in place, especially if they're on a second or third floor? I wouldn't want to do it.

[MWCGuy]

There is no real guarantee that any structure will survive a tornado. Large buildings are not exactly any safer than small buildings just because many have flat roofs and that roof is going to be the first thing to go. When the roof goes, chances our most people will be in an open area where debris is going to be flying everywhere.

I know many people are on a kick to build shelters at every school but, in the end that may be a waste of money because some schools and construction companies will cut corners to save money. Safe rooms have survived on the small scale but not on the large scale. Not to mention it may be 20-30 years before a tornado hits and destroys the school taking the same room with it or dropping brick, steel. cars in the parking lot and anything else in the area crashing down on the safe room or shelter.

I think a better option would be tornado days to be used because the meteorologist were pretty accurate this past season. They had it down to the day and almost to the hour and time the storms would hit. Having Severe Storm days on the books like Snow Days would allow kids to be at home where they have a stronger chance of surviving. If I remember right most people at home at the time of the tornado in Moore survived. Most of the injuries and fatalities were at the schools and in businesses.

Sooner or later the day will come when people die in safe rooms or shelters. The best thing you can do is shelter in place as we have always been told to do. Pick the smallest room, lowest level and pray that you are not in the direct path.

I avoid the public shelters for one reason. If the tornado destroys the building or traps people in the shelter you can guarantee the majority of the people inside will switch into panic mode. Then people will die from suffocation and being trampled to death. I would much rather take my chances with the winds of a tornado then be stuck with 100 people fighting to get out. Not to mention if one tornado is on the ground there is a pretty good chance others could come with it. It's just too risky in my opinion to commute to a shelter.

One thing that disturbs me are the people that flock to hospitals when a tornado warning has been declared. That is the most selfish thing people can do. Before the hospital can treat anyone they have to do crowd control and that could put peoples lives in jeopardy.

If your that scared about surviving a tornado you need to buy a storm shelter or move somewhere that has one already installed. If you live in an apartment like I do. You should probably be making plans to go to a friend or family members house long before the tornado warning has been issued.

[Dubya61]

There is no real guarantee that any structure will survive a tornado. Large buildings are not exactly any safer than small buildings just because many have flat roofs and that roof is going to be the first thing to go. When the roof goes, chances our most people will be in an open area where debris is going to be flying everywhere.

I know many people are on a kick to build shelters at every school but, in the end that may be a waste of money because some schools and construction companies will cut corners to save money. Safe rooms have survived on the small scale but not on the large scale. Not to mention it may be 20-30 years before a tornado hits and destroys the school taking the same room with it or dropping brick, steel. cars in the parking lot and anything else in the area crashing down on the safe room or shelter.

I think a better option would be tornado days to be used because the meteorologist were pretty accurate this past season. They had it down to the day and almost to the hour and time the storms would hit. Having Severe Storm days on the books like Snow Days would allow kids to be at home where they have a stronger chance of surviving. If I remember right most people at home at the time of the tornado in Moore survived. Most of the injuries and fatalities were at the schools and in businesses.

Sooner or later the day will come when people die in safe rooms or shelters. The best thing you can do is shelter in place as we have always been told to do. Pick the smallest room, lowest level and pray that you are not in the direct path.

I avoid the public shelters for one reason. If the tornado destroys the building or traps people in the shelter you can guarantee the majority of the people inside will switch into panic mode. Then people will die from suffocation and being trampled to death. I would much rather take my chances with the winds of a tornado then be stuck with 100 people fighting to get out. Not to mention if one tornado is on the ground there is a pretty good chance others could come with it. It's just too risky in my opinion to commute to a shelter.

One thing that disturbs me are the people that flock to hospitals when a tornado warning has been declared. That is the most selfish thing people can do. Before the hospital can treat anyone they have to do crowd control and that could put peoples lives in jeopardy.

If your that scared about surviving a tornado you need to buy a storm shelter or move somewhere that has one already installed. If you live in an apartment like I do. You should probably be making plans to go to a friend or family members house long before the tornado warning has been issued.

I agree with a lot of what you said here. It is almost uncanny how accurate they were in predicting what they did. This season certainly seemed to have storms to match the hype (mostly -- I'd hate to fan the ratings machines).

[ou48A]

I would agree with the thoughts that we need Severe Storm days in our public schools.....
But particularly if the school doesn’t have a certified storm shelter.

But we also need to be a lot more liberal about letting people leave work without fear of relational from the boss...
Again, this is particularly true if the work place doesn’t have a certified storm shelter.

[ou48A]

We have reached a point where we almost always have good warnings for the strong tornadoes....

Stronger building codes and requiring that all most all new occupied structures have reasonable access to certified storm shelters is the next logical step in the protection life and property.

[LakeEffect]

Interesting read.

Chuck's Chatter: Public tornado shelters - Not necessarily a good idea!