Newly built homes in Bentonville, AR are strong enough to endure Tornado 3? (Fayetteville: credit, new home)

[Fatherofsusie]

My family will move to Bentonville, Arkansas this July or August.

I am interested in buying newly built homes with small lot,
because I understand Melo Roos Tax is imposed on the size of the Lot.
Another reason is that I think the newly built might be stronger than the old homes.

I have a question.
As the enclosed images, Bentonville is at risk of Tornado.
I wonder if the newly built homes in Bentonville are built enough to endure Tornado Force 2 to Force 3?

According to the enclosed information, in Tornado Force 3 the roof might be torn off well-contructed houses.

Thank you.

[Rock Climber]

Apart from geodesic domes, I don't believe there is such a thing as a tornado proof home. When you visit, be aware of all of the homes standing upright and realize that 99.99999999% of them have never been impacted structually by weather. Tornadoes are so rare its like worrying about driving because you might have a fatal accident. Most people who live in the midwest and south have probably never witnessed a tornado in action in their lifetimes. They sound common, but in reality they are rare for a person to experience.

[gunslinger256]

despite the rarity, the tornado warning sirens sure are scary.

For peace of mind, you can always purchase and install a tornado shelter which sells for roughly $5k depending on size. There is a development in Rogers where the homes all have tornado shelters in the garage floor (The Iveys on Mt Hebron road), but I found all the floor plans oddly designed.

Don't sweat the tornadoes, they hit OK and MO much more frequently.

My buddy purchased a house in Bentonville that had roof damage from a tornado. He still doesn't bother with the tornado shelter. They just find an interior room (bathroom).

What the heck is a Mello roos tax? looks like that's a California thing.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by gunslinger256

despite the rarity, the tornado warning sirens sure are scary.

For peace of mind, you can always purchase and install a tornado shelter which sells for roughly $5k depending on size. There is a development in Rogers where the homes all have tornado shelters in the garage floor (The Iveys on Mt Hebron road), but I found all the floor plans oddly designed.

Don't sweat the tornadoes, they hit OK and MO much more frequently.

My buddy purchased a house in Bentonville that had roof damage from a tornado. He still doesn't bother with the tornado shelter. They just find an interior room (bathroom).

What the heck is a Mello roos tax? looks like that's a California thing.

I agree with you on all parts. We see so few truely damaging torntdos it shoud not be a huge concern for anyone. Natural disasters hit everywhere. There is no way to totally prevent them or protect ourselves from mom nature.

As for the Mello whatever tax, I doubt it is used here; I have never heard of anthing like that. Our property is taxed based on the assessed value.

[OurGreatEscape]

I can certainly understand your concern about tornadoes. Having lived through the 1990 "straight-line winds" that ripped through downtown Fayetteville, I'm on high alert during severe weather season.

For y'all that weren't here then, the "winds" (I'm still convinced it was a tornado) blow out all the shop windows on Dickson St. We lost over 50 large trees on our property--we had bonfires for years.

When we built our second home, I did my research. We have a roof which is attached by "hurricane" clips; a safe room in our lower level. I remember requesting that the framing be lag-bolted to the foundation though I'm not sure if that actually happened.

If I were looking for a new place to live, I'd consider an older home vs a newer built home; basement over a home without a basement. If you have the time, patience, and inclination, build a new home built to withstand a tornado (Building codes from Miami-Dade are what you should study up; they are the hurricane specifics).

Someone mentioned storm-shelters. There is a newer company that builds storm shelters in your garage. They look pretty cool and a reasonable solution for those of us who have tornado terrors

[Loveswater_outdoors]

Originally Posted by Rock Climber

Apart from geodesic domes, I don't believe there is such a thing as a tornado proof home. When you visit, be aware of all of the homes standing upright and realize that 99.99999999% of them have never been impacted structually by weather. Tornadoes are so rare its like worrying about driving because you might have a fatal accident. Most people who live in the midwest and south have probably never witnessed a tornado in action in their lifetimes. They sound common, but in reality they are rare for a person to experience.

I have to disagree slightly with you on seeing and feeling them. I lived in Oklahoma most my life and we get more damaging tornadoes than any other state. Having lived in Norman for years and seeing tornadoes ripping up trees before jumping in my shelter it is quite terrifying. The damage done to Moore which is just above Norman has been horrific. However that is a small area along I-35 aptly named Tornado Alley because of the frequency of damaging tornadoes there. I haven't lived in Arkansas yet but it seems Tornadoes especially damaging ones, are more rare for the area. They can always happen, but likely not as much an issue as say living in central Oklahoma.

[Rock Climber]

Originally Posted by Loveswater_outdoors

I have to disagree slightly with you on seeing and feeling them. I lived in Oklahoma most my life and we get more damaging tornadoes than any other state. Having lived in Norman for years and seeing tornadoes ripping up trees before jumping in my shelter it is quite terrifying. The damage done to Moore which is just above Norman has been horrific. However that is a small area along I-35 aptly named Tornado Alley because of the frequency of damaging tornadoes there. I haven't lived in Arkansas yet but it seems Tornadoes especially damaging ones, are more rare for the area. They can always happen, but likely not as much an issue as say living in central Oklahoma.

I literally almost qualified my post with "unless you live in metro OKC" when I posted it.

I'm a Texan for most of my life and I've been in Arkansas 8 years and neither I, nor anybody I know personally, has ever seen a tornado in real life. I have visited damaged neighborhoods, but it was a place many miles away from my home at the time.

[VJDAY81445]

If tornados is a concern, don't expect houses to be built strong enough to withstand a tornado.

If peace of mind is what you want, a house with a basement ( rare for Arkansas) or a tornado shelter on your property is required to ease your concerns.

[Loveswater_outdoors]

I know when I was in Oklahoma you could have a storm shelter built on your property even underneath your garage for a pretty reasonable price. You also received a tax credit for building one on your property. However, I don't know if the credit applies for all states, or who builds storm shelters in Arkansas. I think this would be a better option than relying on "tornado" proof homes, because that really doesn't sound like an option to me.

[JWG223]

I am very curious about this thread. I don't have any real fear of tornado's, but what are some tips/tricks/methods to make a house more resistant to them that can be implemented fairly cheaply while building said house? Because...why not.