How to Protect Your Mobile Home from Tornadoes and Hurricanes

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Living in a mobile or manufactured home offers many benefits, but it also means being more vulnerable to extreme weather events like tornadoes and hurricanes. Because these homes are built differently than site-built homes, their lightweight foundations, lack of structural sheathing, and lighter framing make them more susceptible to damage or destruction in high winds. Being informed and prepared is essential to staying safe.

In this blog, we’ll discuss how you can protect yourself and your mobile home during tornadoes and hurricanes, two of the most dangerous weather events for manufactured homes. We'll also share practical tips on how to plan ahead and secure your home to minimize damage.

Surviving a Tornado in a Mobile Home

Tornadoes pose a significant threat to mobile homes due to their high winds and the potential for flying debris. According to John Krigger's Your Mobile Home, one of the most critical things you can do to protect yourself from injury during a tornado is to know the warning signs and be prepared with an evacuation plan.

Here are some key tips for staying safe:

1. Know the Signs of a Tornado

Most injuries and fatalities from tornadoes occur because people are unaware of the approaching danger. Watch for the following warning signs, especially if a tornado watch has been issued for your area:

A green or greenish-black sky
An eerie calm after a thunderstorm
Debris falling from the sky
Clouds moving quickly in a rotating pattern or converging toward one area
Debris being pulled upward, even without a visible funnel
A loud roar that grows louder, similar to the sound of a train or jet engine

If you notice these signs, take action immediately. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado, while a tornado warning means one has been spotted, and you need to seek shelter immediately.

2. Plan Your Escape

If you live in a mobile home, do not stay inside during a tornado. These homes cannot withstand the strength of a tornado. Ideally, you should plan to evacuate to a nearby storm shelter or sturdy building well before a tornado strikes. If you're caught outside during a tornado, find a low-lying area such as a ditch and lie flat to minimize the risk of being hit by debris.

3. Stay Informed

When severe weather threatens, keep an eye on local weather forecasts, radio stations, or weather apps. Staying informed will give you enough time to act before it’s too late.

Weathering a Hurricane in a Mobile Home

Hurricanes also pose a significant threat to mobile homes due to their strong winds and heavy rainfall. Mobile homeowners must evacuate when an order is given, as the risk of staying in a mobile home during a hurricane is too high. Even well-prepared homes are at risk of serious damage.

1. Secure Your Home Before Evacuating

If a hurricane is approaching, take the following steps to prepare your home:

Pack breakables in cartons and place them on the floor
Tape windows and mirrors (shutters are better if you have time)
Turn off water, fuel lines, and propane tanks
Tie down or store outdoor items like garbage cans and lawn furniture

2. Why Do Hurricanes Damage Mobile Homes?

Mobile homes are vulnerable to hurricanes because of structural issues that make them less resilient in high winds. Here’s a breakdown of why homes are damaged or destroyed in hurricanes:

Anchor and Tie-Down Failures: 55% of homes damaged in Hurricane Andrew were caused by anchor and tie-down failures. If these aren't properly installed or maintained, the home can shift or even become airborne.
Roof and Wall Separation: 34% of structural failures were due to the roof or walls separating from the rest of the home. Weak joints between floors, walls, and roofs can cause this.
Flying Debris: 11% of homes were damaged by flying debris, like building materials or falling trees. These "missiles" can cause extensive damage to mobile homes.

3. Preventing Damage

To protect your home from hurricane damage, regular maintenance and structural reinforcements are key:

Inspect and improve anchors and tie-downs to ensure they’re secure
Reinforce wall joints at the floor and ceiling
Strengthen wall sheathing and fasten siding and roofing securely
Ensure windows are protected with shutters or plywood

Since hurricanes expose every weak point in a home’s structure, success depends on addressing all these areas. Strengthening just one part of the home will not protect it if another part is left vulnerable.

Stay Prepared, Stay Safe

The reality is that mobile homes face unique challenges during tornadoes and hurricanes. Being proactive about understanding these risks and preparing for them can save your home and possibly your life. In our next blog, we’ll focus on another major hazard—fires—and how to safeguard your mobile home against them.

For more information on securing your mobile home, check out our other blogs, refer to John Krigger's Your Mobile Home, or search for other articles, magazines, books, and websites for information. Our Perma-Roof system is built for durability and provides excellent protection against leaks. For extreme events like tornadoes and hurricanes, additional precautions and structural reinforcements are essential to ensure the safety of your home. Proper preparation remains key to minimizing the risks during severe storms.