Using mobile homes is one of the most common trends in the U.S. A recent study says these homes are more vulnerable to the tornadoes and continuing climate change.
For the last 60 years, use of the mobile homes in the U.S. has increased dramatically and the number now reaches to 9 million approximately. The surprising fact is the United States is a tornado-prone country that experiences an average of 1,200 twisters every year. Researchers at the Michigan State University predict that climate change will increase the number of the unstable weather events like tornadoes.
A recent study published in the journal Regional Science and Urban Economics points out that the impacts of the tornadoes will increase annually. The coming decades may see the increment of the impacts almost three-fold. It is believed that this increment will be the aftermath of the twin forces coming out from the increasing climate variability. Now the key concern is whether the mobile homes can face this expected upcoming situation or not.
It is true that climatologists have provided many important opinions about the effects of the climate change. Mark Skidmore, the co-author of the research study, reveals that if the climatologists are correct, then people living in mobile homes could face stiff situations. He opines that they could be vulnerable to the tornadoes in the coming years.
Researchers minutely studied the key factors of the tornado fatalities from 1980 to 2014 in the United States. During this period 2,447 people lost their lives as a result of the fatal impacts of tornadoes. The major portion of these incidents occurred in the key "tornado alley" region located in the Southeast and the Midwest, Phys.org reported. These facts clearly raise concerns for the people who live in the mobile homes.
According to an average estimation, Florida has the highest number of mobile homes in the U.S., that is 849,304. Another important state Texas has 731,652 such homes. The crucial fact is, 150 annual tornado incidents take place in Texas, while the number for Florida State is 61.
Now the two important factors behind the previous tornado fatalities were the housing quality, that includes mobile homes and the income level. The climate change on a regular basis must bring some bad impacts. Now it is necessary to take initiatives to make this situation under control.
A county with a large number of mobile homes will face maximum tornado impacts compared to that one which has the least number. According to Mark Skidmore, the number of this said home in 1950 was 315,218, but the number reached to 8.7 million in 2010. In a word, this trend indicates the persistent inequality in the income levels of the people.
A real fact is, mobile homes are comfortable and at the same time relatively inexpensive. But their excessive use must make the United States more vulnerable to the tornado fatalities. Fittest alternative measures should be taken by the state, local and the federal policy makers to reduce this trend.
The key reason why a huge number of people prefer the mobile homes is the tax advantage. People always prefer affordability while choosing a home, but they should also be aware of the probable risks that they may have to face later. This new research study explores all the sides relating to the tornado, climate change, and the housing arrangement.
