There Are Tragically Few Basem*nts In Tornado Alley [CHART] (2024)

In some areas of Oklahoma, bedrocklying beneath soilpresents an obstacle. To create a basem*nt in an area where bedrock is prevalent, explosives would be required. The cost is too much for most people.

Another problem is the damp soil and high water table in the state. Water seeping into basem*nts could lead to dampness and mold, creating a safety hazard.There are methods for waterproofing basem*nts, but those procedures are also expensive.

The number of homes with basem*nts vary widely by region. Overall in the U.S., 30 percent of new single-family homes in 2011 had full or partial basem*nts, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

But the West South Central region, where Oklahoma is located, has the lowest share of basem*nts in the U.S., according to a National Association of Home Builders data analysis from 2005.Of new homes built that year in the West South Central region, only 0.5 percent had basem*nts.

Here's a chart showing the foundation type of new homes in 2005:

The best bet for someone who lives in Tornado Alley is building a storm shelter. These shelters can withstand winds of up to 250 miles per hour. Monday's tornado in Moore, Oklahoma had winds of about 200 miles per hour at its peak, according to initial figures from the National Weather Service.

Moore, an Oklahoma City suburb of about 56,000 people, was hit with another massive tornado in 1999. The May 3 tornado had incredible wind speeds ofmore than 300 miles per hour.