Although tornadoes occur all over the United States, they’re most common in central states located in a region known as Tornado Alley. If you’re thinking about purchasing a house in that area, here are some things to consider.
Find a Home That’s Built to Withstand a Tornado
A house with a wooden frame can get ripped apart in a tornado. Roofing, siding and support beams can turn into projectiles that can injure people and damage other property.
If you’re going to purchase a house in a tornado-prone area, look for one that can withstand powerful winds. Houses made with concrete can stand up to strong winds that would destroy wooden structures. Concrete can also protect a house from damage if it gets hit by flying debris.
In some cases, the natural landscape can provide protection. A house that’s built into the side of a hill can be less likely to get damaged than a free-standing structure that’s exposed on all sides.
Look for a House With a Safe Space to Take Cover
A basement can give your family a place to seek refuge if a tornado hits. Some houses in Tornado Alley don’t have basements, but rather have below-ground shelters.
If you buy a house that doesn’t have an underground shelter, you might be able to have one installed. That can be expensive, and it may or may not be possible, depending on the geography in the area.
A shelter that’s underground offers better protection from strong winds than one that’s above ground, but it might flood or cave in, or the entry point might get blocked. Also, it might be hard to get to a below-ground shelter if a tornado strikes and you only have a few seconds to seek cover.
Some houses in tornado-prone areas have safe rooms or above-ground shelters to protect people from strong winds and airborne debris. Above-ground spaces are easier to reach quickly, but some don’t offer as much protection as underground shelters.
Think About Insurance
If you buy a house in a region that frequently experiences tornadoes, you’ll need to have the right insurance coverage. A standard homeowners insurance policy generally covers damage caused by wind, but that’s not always true in tornado-prone areas. You might have to purchase a separate windstorm insurance policy.
If your policy covers tornado-related damage, it will pay to repair or rebuild your house and compensate you for personal property that gets damaged or destroyed. Your policy limits should be high enough to rebuild your home and other structures on the property if they get completely destroyed. You should also have replacement cost coverage for personal belongings.
A standard homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover flooding. To get that type of protection, you’ll have to take out a separate flood insurance policy.
Insuring a property in a tornado-prone area can be expensive. You’ll have to figure out if you can handle the financial cost, as well as the stress of knowing that a tornado could strike at any time.
