TORNADO DENIAL

For decades, the swath of real estate known as the midwest has "taken the hit" from thousands of tornadoes. They have not changed their building codes to strengthen construction requirements so that these wind storms don't blow away schools and homes as they spin their way through towns. Instead the theory is to build what is referred to as "safe rooms" so that when you learn that a tornado is about to arrive, everyone runs into the safe room so that when you emerge and your home is gone, you are at least "safe." Nice theory unless your kids are playing over their friend's house and instead of building a safe room their dad bought a new truck which is now flying like Toto and Dorothy. As for schools and shopping centers, they look like Godzilla walked through town and trampled them. They justify their decision to NOT demand better made buildings based upon the 1/5000 chance of being hit compared to the much greater chance that someone in Florida would experience a Hurricane. How's that working out for you in middle America?

When you get a building permit in Florida the requirements include glass windows that can withstand 150 mph winds and objects hurled at them, a roof that won't blow off, doors that withstand similar forces and you have to build UP on stilts if there is any chance a flood will come your way. If we were Kansas, our solution would be to build a safe room somewhere in the house which would save us in a Hurricane if we stayed at home when it hit and the rest of the house would blow down the road. Of course the talking heads on the NEWS would be whining about how rich people living near the water cost the rest of us SO MUCH money if a storm hits and their McMansion is damaged. They conveniently forget that the Castle pays about $50,000 real estate tax per year while their trailer's tax is $500. Anyhow, all things being equal, I would rather be in Florida during a Hurricane than in Indiana during a Tornado. Then again I would rather be in Florida on a bright sunny day.

I primitive Florida