Oklahoma City is now...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Was this same area hit by the last mega tornado? Tragic news.
I wonder if now there will be plans to build more adequate protection from such powerful winds.

My friend in Tulsa says that it was hit by a previous huge one in 1999 (I think it was) and that that whole area is Tornado Alley, so tragic if unsurprising.

The May 3rd, 1999, tornado was bad, but the Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesman just said, "May 3rd was nothing compared to this, I was there for that one."

[Gawdzilla Sama]

SAR dogs on the scene. Go doggies!

[FBM]

Can you imagine what it would take to make a tornado-proof building? For tornados that size?

Bearing in mind that you get more warning of a tornado than an earthquake, I wouldn't think you would have to make the whole building tornado-proof. Just a section of it, big enough to keep all the people safe.
That wouldn't necessarily cost much more. Just have one part, positioned so that nothing can crush it, with a bit of stiffening for the walls etc. Tornadoes pass in a few minutes, so it wouldn't have to be much bigger than standing room for all the people.

Underground storm shelters would be the way I'd go, but you gotta convince the taxpayers and the politicians to allot funds for it.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Can you imagine what it would take to make a tornado-proof building? For tornados that size?

Bearing in mind that you get more warning of a tornado than an earthquake, I wouldn't think you would have to make the whole building tornado-proof. Just a section of it, big enough to keep all the people safe.
That wouldn't necessarily cost much more. Just have one part, positioned so that nothing can crush it, with a bit of stiffening for the walls etc. Tornadoes pass in a few minutes, so it wouldn't have to be much bigger than standing room for all the people.

Underground storm shelters would be the way I'd go, but you gotta convince the taxpayers and the politicians to allot funds for it.

Since 2007 spending on schools in OK have been cut by $706/student. Go "tax cuts"!

[FBM]

"If there's one thing I've learned, it's that learning things never taught me nothing. And books is the worst."

[Gawdzilla Sama]

"If there's one thing I've learned, it's that learning things never taught me nothing. And books is the worst."

Your students would concur.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

They've just announced that only 24 people are confirmed dead - not 91. Quite an over-estimate!

[Trinity]

Surely underground shelters are the best places to build?

[mistermack]

Underground storm shelters would be the way I'd go, but you gotta convince the taxpayers and the politicians to allot funds for it.

They certainly would, so long as you can make them immune from flooding. I think that could be done without too much cost.
And a shelter shouldn't cost a fortune. It's only in use for a few minutes, so it wouldn't need any special fitting out.
Basically, a hole in the ground, with a very strong roof, and walls extending a few feet upwards, to prevent flooding.
You could easily put 100 people in a 20x20 shelter, especially if some were kids.

On the other hand, a strong room above ground could be used day to day as well, so that's maybe a better option.
Looking at the video, it seems like most of the school was ok, just one part was weak, so it's probably just a question of better design in public buildings.

[FBM]

They've just announced that only 24 people are confirmed dead - not 91. Quite an over-estimate!

91 dead attracts more viewers.

[FBM]

Underground storm shelters would be the way I'd go, but you gotta convince the taxpayers and the politicians to allot funds for it.

They certainly would, so long as you can make them immune from flooding. I think that could be done without too much cost.
And a shelter shouldn't cost a fortune. It's only in use for a few minutes, so it wouldn't need any special fitting out.
Basically, a hole in the ground, with a very strong roof, and walls extending a few feet upwards, to prevent flooding.
You could easily put 100 people in a 20x20 shelter, especially if some were kids.

On the other hand, a strong room above ground could be used day to day as well, so that's maybe a better option.
Looking at the video, it seems like most of the school was ok, just one part was weak, so it's probably just a question of better design in public buildings.

Well, they could put the cafeteria underground and still have a big open space for people to crowd into. I don't think it's too hard to flood-proof an underground room, and tornadoes are gone pretty quick, so it's not like they'd have to stay down there very long.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Seven children drowned in the school basement according to reports on CNN.

[FBM]

Seven children drowned in the school basement according to reports on CNN.

So much for that idea.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Now I have to watch "Twister" again, so I can remember all things that were wrong with it, especially the opening sequence.

[FBM]

The trailer was enough for me.