Joplin tornado investigation finds national standards needed

After two years investigating the 2011 tornado in Joplin, the National Institute of Standards and Technology released its findings that call for national standards to limit loss of life and improve communications in disaster events.

Among the 47 findings in the report, the U.S. Department of Commerce institute presented 16 recommendations for action in areas of improved measurement and characterization of tornado hazards, new methods for tornado-resistant design of buildings, enhanced guidance for community tornado sheltering, and improved and standardized emergency communications.

Among the study’s findings, according to Joplin Regional Business Journal:

• In the majority of cases, buildings did not adequately protect occupants, regardless of construction type. Joplin residents also had limited access to underground or tornado-resistant shelters. The majority of deaths, the study found, were caused by impacts associated with building failure (135 deaths, or 83.8 percent).

• Multiple factors contributed to a delayed or incomplete response by residents, including a lack of awareness of the tornado’s approach, confusion about or distrust of the emergency messages prior to the tornado’s arrival, and an inability to perceive risk due to the conflicting information.

In its research, NIST collected large numbers of documents, photographs, videos and building plans; developed a computer model of the wind field of the tornado as it crossed the city of Joplin; analyzed the performance of a range of building types for life safety and functionality; interviewed many survivors of the tornado; developed an evidence-based explanation for decisions made and actions taken by the public in response to the tornado; and analyzed the factors affecting life safety outcomes.

The May 22, 2011, twister killed 138 people and destroyed 553 businesses. Insurance damages were calculated to exceed $2 billion, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Read more from Joplin Regional Business Journal.