Hailey Tran
Oklahoma City is susceptible to tornadoes, with one such incident occurring in 2013 and another in 2024. While there is no such thing as a tornado-proof building, hospitals in Oklahoma City are incorporating tornado prevention measures into their facilities. This includes reinforcing structures to protect patients and staff from storm hazards. The type of patients and their medical conditions are factors in determining the level of protection needed. As severe weather events become more frequent and destructive, hospitals are increasingly considering hazardous weather conditions when designing and constructing their buildings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are hospitals in Oklahoma City tornado-proof? | No, there is no such thing as a tornado-proof building. |
| What should you do if you are in a hospital during a tornado? | Stay in the hospital and go to the innermost room, hallway, or closet on the lowest level of the building. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible, and stay away from windows and doors. |
| What should you do if you are not in a hospital during a tornado? | Get to the nearest well-constructed building and seek shelter. |
| How can you prepare for a tornado? | Have a plan, monitor weather reports, and have at least three ways to get information about the weather. |
| What are some ways to increase a building's resistance to tornadoes? | Using reinforced concrete, building with ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms), and constructing the building to perform like a single piece. |
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What You'll Learn
Hospitals are not public storm shelters
While hospitals in Oklahoma City are taking steps to reinforce their buildings against tornadoes, it is important to note that hospitals are not public storm shelters.
In the event of a tornado, the general public should not rely on hospitals as a place to seek shelter. Instead, it is recommended to get to the innermost room, hallway, or closet on the lowest level of any well-constructed building. This could be a residential, commercial, or public building that is not a hospital. It is crucial to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible and stay away from windows and doors. Most well-constructed homes in Oklahoma can provide life-saving protection from 98% of tornadoes in the state.
The City of Oklahoma City does not have public tornado shelters, and hospitals are not designated as such. While hospitals are designed to keep patients and staff safe during a tornado, they are not intended to accommodate the general public seeking shelter. The focus is on protecting inpatients who have limited mobility and may not be able to evacuate quickly.
Additionally, seeking shelter in a hospital as a member of the public could potentially put you and others at risk. Hospitals are busy, complex environments, and during a tornado, the added challenge of managing non-patient occupants could hinder the ability of staff to provide care and ensure the safety of everyone present.
It is important for residents and visitors in Oklahoma City to be aware of this and to have a plan in place for where to seek shelter during a tornado. This could include identifying the nearest well-constructed buildings or, ideally, a storm shelter built to FEMA guidelines and ICC 500 standards. Having a battery-powered or hand-cranked NOAA Weather radio is also recommended to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings.
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Hospitals are reinforcing buildings to protect against tornadoes
While there is no such thing as a tornado-proof building, hospitals in tornado-prone areas are increasingly being reinforced to protect against tornadoes. This comes in response to devastating tornadoes that have ripped through communities in recent years, causing extensive damage to hospitals and resulting in the loss of life.
In 2011, a tornado destroyed a hospital in Joplin, Missouri, prompting Mercy, a non-profit healthcare chain, to spend more on reinforcing its hospitals in Oklahoma, Kansas, and central and southern Arkansas. Similarly, after a close call with a tornado in 2009, the Bethany Children's Center made changes to its hospitals to better protect against tornadoes.
Hospitals are reinforcing their buildings by considering them as whole systems, ensuring that all components work together with the same strength. This includes using reinforced concrete walls and impact-resistant windows that can withstand the impact of a two-by-four plank launched at 100 miles per hour. These measures can provide near-absolute life safety from even EF5 tornadoes, the most powerful category.
In addition to reinforcing existing structures, new building codes are being implemented to ensure that new hospitals are constructed with tornado resilience in mind. Florida became the first state to enforce these new standards, which apply to essential facilities like hospitals, fire stations, schools, nursing homes, and places of public assembly. These codes are based on decades of research into understanding tornadoes and their impacts on buildings, with the goal of keeping communities safe during these deadly storms.
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Concrete is the best material for tornado-resistant buildings
While there is no such thing as a tornado-proof building, hospitals in Oklahoma City are taking steps to incorporate tornado prevention into their buildings. After a 2011 tornado destroyed a hospital in Joplin, Missouri, patients had to be evacuated through broken glass, flooded hallways, and downed electrical wires. This prompted hospitals to consider hazardous weather conditions when building new facilities in Tornado Alley.
Concrete is the best material for constructing tornado-resistant buildings. Concrete walls, such as those made with Fox Blocks or Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), offer superior wind resistance, structural strength, and impact resistance. They can withstand intense tornado winds of over 200 mph and protect against flying debris, which is the greatest danger during a tornado. ICF walls are also resistant to water damage, making them ideal for withstanding the heavy rains that often accompany tornadoes and hurricanes.
The strength of concrete walls reduces lateral twists and damage to non-structural elements such as electrical wiring and plumbing. This minimizes the risk of injuries to occupants and damage to possessions. Additionally, concrete's inorganic composition makes it resistant to rot, mold, and flooding, reducing the need for extensive repairs after a storm.
Concrete is also fire-resistant, with a fire rating of 3-4 hours, compared to combustible wood framing that collapses after 1 hour. This is especially important during tornadoes, as they can spark fires that cause additional destruction. Concrete's thermal properties also contribute to energy conservation, meeting the requirements of modern building codes.
When designing tornado-resistant buildings, it is crucial to consider the entire structure as a system. Windows and doors can be vulnerable points, so it is essential to use reinforced concrete walls in conjunction with impact-resistant glass to maximize protection.
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Hospitals should be built so patients can shelter within them
While there is no such thing as a tornado-proof building, hospitals should be built so that patients can shelter within them. In recent years, tornadoes have wreaked havoc in Oklahoma, causing extensive damage to hospitals and requiring patients to be evacuated. This poses a significant risk to patients, particularly those with limited mobility.
To mitigate this risk, hospitals in tornado-prone areas, such as Oklahoma City, should be constructed with reinforced facilities that can withstand severe weather conditions. This includes using concrete and other high-strength materials to build a structure that performs as a single piece. While this may increase construction costs, it is crucial to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
For example, after a tornado destroyed a Mercy hospital in Joplin, Missouri, the nonprofit healthcare chain spent an additional $70,000 on laminating and reinforcing its new Oklahoma City Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital. This is a step in the right direction, prioritizing the safety of patients and staff by enabling them to shelter within the hospital during a tornado.
Furthermore, inpatient facilities, where patients have limited mobility, should be designed with the assumption that patients and staff will need to shelter in place during a tornado. Administrative offices, on the other hand, do not require the same level of protection as they are typically unoccupied during severe weather events.
By building hospitals with reinforced structures and considering the specific needs of patients, we can ensure that hospitals are safe havens during tornadoes and other natural disasters. While no building is entirely tornado-proof, taking these measures can significantly enhance the resilience of hospitals and protect those who are most vulnerable.
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There is no such thing as a tornado-proof building
While hospitals in Oklahoma City are taking extra precautions to protect their buildings and patients from tornadoes, there is no such thing as a tornado-proof building. Even the sturdiest structures can be damaged or destroyed by a powerful tornado. However, it is possible to reinforce buildings to withstand high winds and flying debris, thereby increasing the chances of survival for those inside.
Ryan Bader, regional director of planning, design, and construction for Mercy, a non-profit healthcare chain, asserted that there is no such thing as a tornado-proof building. However, he emphasized the importance of reinforcing hospitals in tornado-prone areas to protect patients. For example, Mercy spent an additional $70,000 on reinforcements for its Oklahoma City Rehabilitation Hospital.
Hospitals in Oklahoma City are taking tornado threats seriously and incorporating tornado prevention into their building designs. This includes constructing buildings with reinforced concrete walls and underground structures, which offer the best protection during tornadoes. Inpatient facilities, in particular, need to be designed with tornado protection in mind, as patients with limited mobility must be able to shelter within the hospital during a tornado.
While no building is tornado-proof, there are construction methods and materials that can significantly improve a structure's ability to withstand tornadoes. These include using structural insulated panels, reinforced concrete, and underground construction. Additionally, roof anchoring with heavy-duty fasteners can prevent the wind from ripping off the roof.
Although it is challenging to construct a tornado-proof building, it is not impossible to minimize the damage and protect those inside. By incorporating tornado-resistant design features, such as deep foundations and reinforced concrete slabs, builders can increase the chances of survival for occupants during a tornado.
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Frequently asked questions
No building is truly tornado-proof, but hospitals in Oklahoma City are reinforced to protect patients and staff from storm hazards.
If there's no basement, go to the ground floor and enter an interior room or hallway. Stay away from windows and outside doors.
Have at least three ways to get information about the weather. If a tornado is likely, get to the nearest well-constructed building or storm shelter.
Build with reinforced concrete and an integrated reinforced home design.
Get to the closest well-constructed building and take shelter. Do not attempt to outrun a tornado in a vehicle.
