HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — As we head into the heart of severe weather season, it's important to know ways to make your home safe.
Many think that manufactured housing is the most unsafe place to be in severe weather but structural engineer James Durhnam (JADE Engineering) says that's not necessarily true.
James says, "mobile homes can be as safe as conventional, wood frame construction."
The National Weather Service in Birmingham says 54% of tornado housing fatalities occur in manufactured housing. Most of those homes were older construction and were not on the best foundations.
So how can we make mobile homes as safe as conventional homes?
James says, "if you have an FHA foundation or if you have a proper earth anchored tie down system."
A permanent FHA foundation is constructed of durable materials like concrete and mortared masonary.
Having the proper set up for your manufactured home can actually benefit you from excessive damage from weaker tornadoes.
The strongest foundation would be more tie down anchors and would need to be spaced 4 to 5 feet on center. Also it is encouraged for people to build a safe room if you're building a home today.
Majority of housing, manufactured or structurally built, will not withstand a tornado on the higher end of the E-F scale, but it's encouraging to know ways that you can improve your housing quality.
Make sure your foundations, regardless if you live in a manufactured home or not, are ready to go when severe weather strikes.
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