Joplin Tornado: A Costly Wake-Up Call
On May 22, 2011, a beautiful day in Joplin, Missouri, turned tragic as a massive EF5 tornado descended upon the city, leaving behind almost $3 billion in damage. Troy Bolander and Ann Leach, among other residents, sought shelter as the tornado wreaked havoc. The storm claimed 161 lives and destroyed thousands of buildings, making it the costliest tornado in US history.
Tornadoes: A Growing Billion-Dollar Problem
Tornadoes are a significant financial burden for the US, with 17 billion-dollar climate disasters involving tornadoes occurring between 2018 and 2023. The US experiences about 1,200 tornadoes annually, more than any other country. In 2022 alone, the nation faced two separate billion-dollar tornado outbreaks.
The EF Rating Scale and Building Resilience
Tornadoes are rated on a scale from EF0 to EF5 based on estimated wind speeds and damage. The EF5 tornado that struck Joplin had winds of 200 miles per hour and caused extensive damage over a 13-mile path. Ann Leach’s home was among the 7,500 residential dwellings destroyed or damaged.
Rebuilding after such disasters is a long and arduous process. FEMA Associate Administrator for Resilience Victoria Salinas emphasized the importance of communities coming together and building more resilience for the future.
Shifting Tornado Patterns
Traditionally, the central Great Plains, including states like Kansas and Texas, have experienced the most tornadoes. However, tornado frequency has increased in the Southeast and Midwest, affecting cities like Memphis, Indianapolis, and Nashville. This shift poses new challenges as these regions have higher population densities and more infrastructure at risk.
Investing in Tornado Resilience
While tornado damage is often preventable, only 17 states have a statewide building code, and 65% of US counties, cities, and towns lack modern building codes. Stronger building construction, including wind-rated garage doors and resilient roofing, can mitigate damage from EF0 and EF1 tornadoes.
In response to the 2011 Joplin tornado, the city implemented new building codes requiring anchor bolts and hurricane clips. Troy Bolander, Joplin’s director of planning, development, and neighborhood services, believes that these measures could have spared many homes on the edge of the tornado zone.
Challenges and Federal Support
Building codes are generally a local and financial decision, which complicates efforts to standardize them nationwide. Counties and municipalities must balance the costs of resilience with affordability for residents.
Federal resources are available to support resilient building. FEMA’s Building Codes Strategy and the Biden administration’s allocation of billions for climate resilience through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act aim to strengthen nationwide efforts.
The devastating Joplin tornado underscores the urgent need for stronger building codes and resilience planning to protect communities from future tornado disasters. As tornado patterns shift and the frequency of billion-dollar disasters increases, investing in resilience is crucial to safeguarding lives and property across the US.