Safety Measures after the 2011 Joplin, Missouri, Tornado

Abstract

Immediately following the May 2011 tornado, the city of Joplin, Missouri, initiated recovery efforts to rebuild the part of the community devastated by this event. In doing so, city officials introduced two new safety measures and recommended several others. The main objective of this paper is to explore the tornado survivors' compliance with the safety features recommended by the Joplin city authorities. Face‐to‐face interviews, as well as other methods, were used to survey respondents who were living within the tornado path (damage zones) at the time of the tornado. Results showed that 43 percent of all respondents implemented at least one recommended tornado measure in rebuild or repair their destroyed/damaged homes. Further, it was found that three variables considered here— rebuild or repair, damage zone category, and perceived tornado risk—were all significant contributors to a homeowner's decision to implement recommended tornado safety measures. The paper concludes with a recommendation for expanding tornado safety education among the respondents.

Population recovery in U.S. communities affected by tornadoes, 2000–2010

“…People move out of affected communities because of many factors: (a) limited access to employment opportunities, particularly in small communities; (b) lack of safety and security provision in the aftermath of the disaster; (c) non-availability of housing or increased housing costs; and (d) previous migration experience (Fothergill & Peek, 2004;Haney, 2018; International O ce of Migration, 2008; Pais & Elliot, 2008). Movement also depends on the imposition of new land use regulations, building codes and construction practices, and other programs such as new development restrictions by emergency managers and local government entities of disaster-affected communities (Lindell & Prater, 2003;Paul & Stimers, 2015;Tierney et al, 2001). Some disaster-affected communities show no effect on the total population size.…”

“…Although these safety measures reduce the risk of loss of life, injury, and property damage, as well as increase tornado resilience for households and communities, these measures require the nancial abilities of the households. For example, the construction of prefabricated safe rooms ranges in price from as low as $3,000-$9,500, depending on size and height (Paul & Stimers, 2015). Note that in some states of the United States, such as Oklahoma, there are better options than a basement due to high water table levels, which render basement construction challenging.…”