Due to the recent tornado activity in the Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Arkansas areas and the many injuries and deaths that we have all witnessed, A change needs to take place. A change that can potentially safe lives. One way we could start is is by changing the structure of building codes and buildings that are being built need to have a tornado approved shelter built in with a occupancy level safe for the size of the building occupancy. Every apartment complex needs to have a safe room or outside shelter that can occupy residents at the tenant occupancy level. FEMA can help pay up to 75% of those costs in certain areas too. Every home or business also needs to have a building code that supports structure requirements needed in order to support a shelter from tornadic activity. It doesn't have to be a room that is specific for this purpose but a room that is already being utilized for another purpose maybe a bathroom being utilized already, a TV viewing room at a apartment complex, a refrigerator room at a restaurant, inventory room at a factory, a closet at a office, or a vault at a bank. Also, It should be noted that ALL gas stations and truck weigh stations, rest stops, and bathrooms on highways should have shelters that can be unlocked by highway departments in case of tornadic activities. It is unfair to drivers who are driving to not be able to take proper shelter when traveling because there is no where for them to take shelter. With all the recent damage and buildings being torn down and remolded lets build these back the right way NOW and safe lives in the future!
After what happened in Joplin we really cant keep ignoring this. My apartment complex has zero shelter and it scares the hell out of me every time the sirens go off.