Residents Urged To Rebuild Safer And Better
Release Date: October 13, 2000
Release Number: 1343-11
» More Information on Ohio Tornado And Severe Storms
Xenia, OH -- As the residents of Xenia prepare to mark the one-month anniversary of an F-4 tornado that tore through the community on September 20, federal and state disaster officials hope people in the area will remember one thing - to repair or rebuild safer and better, including considering a safe room or wind-resistant construction techniques.
Xenia's tornado history is well documented with a list of four major tornadoes in the past 80 years, including a destructive F-5 storm in April 1974 that killed 33 people and caused millions of dollars of damage. But part of that documentation, a single photo, has led to extensive "safe room" research that is a major part of Project Impact: Building A Disaster Resistant Community, a national initiative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
During a recent visit to Xenia, Dr. Ernst Kiesling, a professor at Texas Tech University and one of the nation's leading experts on safe rooms and wind-resistant construction, described the photo of a bathroom left standing in the middle of the massive devastation following the 1974 tornado. It's roof and door were gone, but the walls remained standing. He could not look at the photo without asking the obvious question, "Why?"
"Viewing that picture, inspired the shelter concept," Kiesling told a crowd of disaster assistance applicants, local contractors, and city officials as he stood before the photo's image projected on a large screen.
A "safe room" is essentially a roomy closet or storage area built to withstand extreme wind hazards such as tornadoes. A safe room can be constructed either above or below ground with either reinforced concrete or wood-and-steel walls anchored to a concrete slab foundation or floor. Safe room designs draw on 25 years of field research, as well as laboratory testing.
SAFE ROOMS SAVE LIVES
One local secretary says that she owes her safety to a storm shelter built in the law office building where she works, which opened just a month before the September 20 tornado hit. The new building stood strong, while the one next door was practically leveled.
"I'm really convinced that, even if our building had been destroyed, I would have come out fine," Donna Thomas, who works for the Peterson and Peterson law firm exclaimed. "This building is really strong, and our builder is the one who convinced us to put in the storm shelter room. It was great when we needed it and doubles as a storage room for client's files."
Her boss, Marshall Peterson, was in a downtown building in the middle of Xenia when the 'Big One' hit in 1974. "We grabbed the floor for dear life, while buildings went down all around us," he said. "It was unbelievable and sure convinced me that we needed more protection."
When it comes to safe rooms, Peterson says people think they'll never need one. "But in a storm like the one last month, you would be awfully glad you had it," he said.
Record setting tornadoes are nothing new to Ohio. Of the 51 F-5 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. since 1950, four of those were in Ohio - Niles in May 1985, Saylor Park and Xenia in April 1974 and Gallipolis in April 1968.
"Most people do not realize that two-thirds of all disaster losses are wind-related," Dr. Kiesling said. "Those losses most often are the result of severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, tornadoes or hurricanes."
During the Xenia presentation, Dr. Kiesling discussed a variety of wind-resistant construction techniques that can help to reduce losses. These include: using inexpensive metal connectors or strapping to strengthen the connection between the "roof and walls and walls to foundation" to resist the "uplift" effect of strong winds; reinforcing or replacing garage and double entry doors; and, removing trees and yard materials that could become wind borne missiles.
"We realize that we cannot stop these types of disasters," FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Lou Botta said. "But we hope that the information we are providing will help residents, business owners, and the community to minimize future disaster losses."
Many local residents have also had an opportunity to view safe room mock-ups and video presentations about wind-resistant construction techniques and receive detailed information at workshops and displays at area business sites. Recovery specialists are also available at a temporary Disaster Recovery Center in Xenia to talk face-to-face with applicants and to discuss various mitigation measures.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans to Greene County residents that may include funds for constructing safe rooms in storm-damaged homes or businesses being rebuilt or repaired.
FEMA and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) are also working with city officials to plan construction of a safe rooms in damaged public facilities, such as the Xenia Service Center and the county fairgrounds.
Safe rooms built to the FEMA design specification provide protection from the impact of flying debris and winds up to 250 miles per hour. Construction costs typically range from $2,000 to $4,000, depending upon the specific design, materials, and construction costs in your area.
"With or without government funding, a safe room is a smart idea for any home or business owner who hopes to reduce future disaster losses," State Coordinating Officer Dale Shipley said. A former resident of Xenia, Shipley is the director of Ohio EMA and a strong supporter of Project Impact.
PROJECT IMPACT: BUILDING DISASTER-RESISTANT COMMUNITIES
Five Ohio communities are currently participants in Project Impact, which is designed to help communities protect themselves from the devastating effects of natural disasters by taking actions that dramatically reduce disruption and loss. The goal of Project Impact is to reduce the personal and economic costs of disasters by bringing together community leaders, citizens and businesses to prepare for and protect themselves against the ravages of nature.
"This effort is an investment that will enhance and strengthen the economic structure and long-term stability for the community, regardless of when a disaster strikes," Shipley said.
Licking County was the first in Ohio to join the initiative in 1998, and Clermont County became a participant earlier this year. Medina County and the city of Westerville in Franklin County were added as Ohio Project Impact communities last month. Westerville's public/private partnership plan includes the addition of solar generated electric backup supply for critical city services.
Colerain Township, on the northwest side of Cincinnati, was designated a Project Impact community in 1999 and was the first in FEMA Region V to construct a public shelter capable of withstanding an F- 4 tornado. Constructed with 12-inch walls and poured concrete centers reinforced by rebar, the shelter was developed for daily use by park patrons but can serve as a place of refuge should disaster strike. It was designed by a local architectural firm and project partner at a discount price and paid for cooperatively by FEMA, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Colerain Township.
As a Project Impact community, Colerain Township will receive further technical and funding assistance from FEMA. A local partnership of government, the business community and individual citizens will provide funding, in kind services, technical support and labor to undertake actions to reduce the community's risks and encourage residents to develop mitigation projects to help make the community more disaster resistant.
Last Modified: Thursday, 13-Nov-2003 10:07:15