More Tornadoes Forecast for Midwest

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman Oklahoma was correct when it predicted pockets of extremely severe weather prior to the deadly tornadoes that killed over 300 across Alabama and other southern states in April. Now the Center is predicting more severe weather for the majority of this week, again covering many midwestern and southern states, many of which are still trying to recover from earlier storms.

Parts of Missouri, including the town of Joplin that was devastated by an EF4 tornado over the weekend, are forecast to have a moderate risk of severe weather starting today. The Storm Prediction Center sees severe storm activity for much of the Midwest and South, with some of the storms eventually wreaking havoc on the East Coast by the end of the week.

President Barack Obama issued a statement from London, where he is on an official visit. “The American people are by your side,” Obama said. “We’re going to stay there until every home is repaired, until every neighborhood is rebuilt, until every business is back on its feet.”

And while such sentiments are certainly shared by the majority of Americans, one has to wonder about the wisdom of rushing to rebuild in these exact areas. Given the ferocity of the storms and the totality of the destruction, perhaps it would be wise to consider a different location – or perhaps non-traditional buildings that may be less prone to tornado damage? With global weather patterns changing, it may be time to re-think some of the accepted thinking behind where and how our structures should be built.