NWS: Anchor Bolts Not Detected in Most Homes Lost in Arkansas Tornado (The Free Market Effect)

[TexasTowelie]

VILONIA -- The National Weather Service (NWS) reports there has been speculation about why the Arkansas tornado received a EF-4 rating despite the fact that numerous homes were removed from their foundations with only slabs remaining.

"Years ago, that might be justification for an F5 rating on the original Fujita scale," a writer on the NWS website explains. "These days, the quality of the construction is examined before a rating is assigned. One of the factors determining the rating is the use of anchor bolts."

As shown in the picture, the home to left in the Vilonia (Faulkner County) area had cut nails instead of anchor bolts to fasten the structure to the foundation.

In fact, according to the article, in Vilonia (Faulkner County), there was little indication of anchor bolts where homes once stood.

More at http://www.nwahomepage.com/fulltext-news/d/story/nws-anchor-bolts-not-detected-in-most-homes-lost-i/38060/Vy08-eePiEuxgpQRiTE8PQ .

Comment by Jamie at IntoxiNation: "...So why builders, building houses in tornado alley use the bare minimum to keep the house on the ground? Simple, it costs less. And why would a state in tornado alley not have more strict building requirements? Simple, it's red state America and they believe the free market will make the better call. For Republicans, this means they can only blame the homeowners, who should have known better. I mean, isn't every homebuyer a structural engineer?"

http://intoxination.net/

[HooptieWagon]

1. And once the siding and drywall is installed...

...there is no way of telling how the house is anchored to the slab, without tearing part of it out. So buyers of used homes are SOL.

Im guessing that Insurance Co and lender banks will eventually demand better codes and inspection.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Just to add one point. Arkansas is one of the poorest states in the Union, therefore,

houses aren't that expensive and builders aren't going to add cost by making them anchored.

I would bet you'd find the same type of construction in much of rural Texas which is also in tornado alley.

[Art_from_Ark]

4. You can find cheaply made houses everywhere

Red state, blue state, it doesn't matter. I was just talking to a guy from California who was complaining about the million-dollar beach homes that are made of cheapie materials.

As far as "tornado alley" goes, Arkansas is not like Oklahoma or Texas or Kansas. Sure, there are tornadoes in the state, but they are still a relatively rare occurrence compared to those other states. Also, what good are anchor bolts going to do if there is a Joplin-like tornado?

[WhiteTara]

3. We don't need no stinking regulations! nt