Assignment 1_Case Study: Tornado

The Greensburg TornadoCase Study

Krystal Joseph and Talissa Barroso

IND 6257/TPA 4061

Fall 2011

Usually tornadoes are east of the Rocky Mountains;They form between spring and summer months;Around 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide yearly; Resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries;The Categories:

Weak Tornadoes: 69% of all tornadoes. Less than 5% of tornado deaths. Lifetime: 1 to-10+ minutes. Winds less than 110 mph.

Strong Tornadoes: 29% of all tornadoes. Nearly 30% of tornado deaths. Lifetime: 20 minutes or longer. Winds 110 to-205 mph.

Violent Tornadoes: 2% of all tornadoes. 70% of all tornado deaths. Lifetime: up to 1 hour or more. Winds greater than 205 mph.

Tornado Characteristics

ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE (EF SCALE):

Tornado Characteristics

EF0

EF2

EF4

EF1

EF3

EF5

Scale

Wind speed(Estimated)[2]

mph km/h

EF0 65–85 105–137

EF1 86–110 138–178

EF2 111–135 179–218

EF3 136–165 219–266

EF4 166–200 267–322

EF5 >200 >322

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyZx-fk1kXA&feature=player_detailpage

How Does a Tornado Form?

HistoryNamed for stagecoach driver D. R. "Cannonball" Green;Income in Greensburg was $18,054 in 2000;In the heart of agricultural production in the U.S.82.6% of residents graduated high school; and 17.6% of

residents have higher education; Home to the world's largest hand dug well:

I09ft. deep and 32ft. In diameter. Used as the town's water supply until 1932. In 1939 it was opened as a tourist attraction.

The World’s largest Pallasite Meteorite: half iron and half stone.The Rattlesnake Creek watershed makes its way northeast from

Greensburg;Stormwater management in Greensburg has a positive effect on

the downstream.Annual precipitation of approximately 22.3 inches.

Greensburg, Kansas

Predictive Skills and ProceduresNational Weather Service operates the NSSFC in Kansas City,

where forecasters survey the atmosphere for weather conditions;SELS forecasters:

Monitor the temperature and water vapor;Monitors jet streams (a region of long, narrow, high-speed

winds) and dry air;Provide time for mobilization of special networks and personnel:

Thunderstorm watch prepared by the SELS forecaster; The warning: released by a local observing facility.

The tornado hit the town around 9:45pm of May 4th, 2007;Categorized into an EF5, reaching up to 200mph;The grain elevator and the S.D. Robinett Building stayed intact; Up to 2 miles wide; On the ground for 100 miles;

The Disaster

Immediate shelter: Neighboring cities (church, schools), and basements.

NOAA forecasters in Dodge City were able to issue a Tornado Warning 39 minutes prior;

Dodge City weather staff updated with a Tornado Emergency message 10 to 12 minutes prior;

In Kansas alone, 62 tornadoes occurred in 2007;20 tornadoes hit the state of Kansas on Friday, May 4th alone.

The Disaster

The Storm

The Destroying Path

95% of the town was completely destroyed;Kiowa County Memorial Hospital sustained heavy damage, and

30 people have been trapped inside;The city's water tower was completely toppled and smashed;The visitor's center at the Big Well was completely destroyed. Train cars overturned and hazardous materials teams were called

to inspect the wreckage; A tank car carrying about 14,000 gallons of ammonia leaked;Fatalities:

11 deaths.64 injuries.

Damages/Fatalities

The Aftermath

The town received soaking rain that night and the following days, leaving many remaining objects unsalvageable.

The Aftermath

500 out of about 1500 residents returned within one week;As of October 2008, there were 800 to 900 residents living in the

town;Town officials presented the idea for a model “green” community;Greensburg became the first “green” city in the U.S. LEED-certification for homes is voluntary, but many home-

builders adopted the idea;Every building is required to have a storm shelter (or safe room).

Deciding for a better future

Design firms rebuilding Downtown: BNIM and GLMV Architecture from Kansas City.

The Mission: Building projects in Greensburg shall strive to be healthy, efficient, safe and beautiful structures. The overall design of buildings shall be sensitive to the impacts of the climate on their interior environments.

Materials are judged on:Durability;Source location Content (from toxicity to recyclability) and;Maintenance requirements.

Building are designed and built to last 100 years or more (LEED standards);

Using native species of vegetation;Burying power lines reduces damage and frequency of power

outages;All materials used are very low VOC’s.

Rebuilding the Community

THE NEW SILO ECO_HOMEAll houses must use:

insulated concrete forms (ICFs), Environmental masonry units (EMUs), The prefab wood block (HIB Building System).

The first showcase from the Chain of Eco_Homes;Built using the same method and materials typically used to

construct a traditional grain elevator (or silo);Myriad of green features on the roof.

“Living Laboratories”

MEADOWLARK HOUSE by Steven Learner Studio

“Living Laboratories”

HOMESTEAD HOUSE by Robert McLaughlin

5-4-7 ARTS CENTER Exterior sided with reclaimed lumber from region; Cellulose insulation used in the walls; Counter tops in the kitchen and office are made from

compressed recycled cardboard; Green Roof and Rainwater collection; 3 Wind Turbines that produce 600 watts each; 8 solar panels convert the sun's energy to electricity to help

power the facility;

The New Community

GREENSBURG K_12 SCHOOL

The Design: Day lighting optimization, ventilation, and indoor air quality have a great impact on student academic performance and the health and comfort of building occupants;

The Building: Raw materials (concrete in high-traffic areas, while reclaimed wood was

used in tactile areas);Reclaimed materials, (interior wood furring and paneling reclaimed from

deconstructed warehouses);Exterior: furring, siding and exterior bridges of cypress from Katrina.

Visual Comfort and the Building Envelope:Large exterior windows and high ceilings to increase day lighting.

Below Grade Rainwater and Groundwater: Landscaping and grading to divert water from building.

Reduction of Indoor Pollutants:Very-low/no VOC paints and carpet adhesives.

The New Community

The New Community

The New Community

Very Small town, low populated;Decrease in population even before storm;Tourism is the best economic hope;Awareness that it could happen again;Preparing population and the community for another storm;Committee/City Council leadership issues;Limited housing available for workforce;Limitation of contractors within a reasonable distance;Limitations of designers with sustainable design experience; Finding sustainable materials locally.

“Of course, there are things that have yet to be done or things done that could have been done better. ”

“…Denial of property owners rights to fair use of their land is not good idea...but they are doing it...I could go on and on but there is not enough room here…”

Challenges

Parks and new Highway;Continue to showcase and promote sustainability;Assisting other cities that have been destroyed;Provide jobs for locals with on-going construction;International leader in sustainability;Be aware that it will happen again;Make the community aware and alert by training:

How to receive weather warnings;Recognize potentially threatening weather situations and;Act appropriately.

The Future

The Future

??Questions??

THANK YOU!