Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

Question:  Why do tornadoes seem to be attracted to mobile homes?
Is there any scientific correlation whith any other variables or 
is it just random?
 wasteland

Answer 1:
And earthquakes are attracted to big cities.  Because mobile
homes are easily damaged by tornadoes you hear about it more
often.  Also tornadoes tend to form over flat land (I wonder why?)
which is conducive to trailer parks.
--- jade

Answer 2:
Statistics from the National Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City show
that from 1975 to 1991 nearly 36% of all tornado deaths occurred in mobile
homes. Tornadoes don't hit mobile homes more often than conventional homes,
but mobile home are just that - mobile. They offer no protection in a tornado.
In April, 1991 a violent tornado struck Andover Kansas. 84 frame homes and 14
businesses were destroyed or severely damaged. Then the tornado hit a mobile
home park, destroying 223 trailers. 13 people were killed in Andover - all in
the mobile home park. 200 residents of the mobile home park did survive in the
park's storm shelter.
 allsoppQuestion:  Why do tornadoes seem to be attracted to mobile homes?
Is there any scientific correlation whith any other variables or 
is it just random?
 wasteland

Answer 1:
And earthquakes are attracted to big cities.  Because mobile
homes are easily damaged by tornadoes you hear about it more
often.  Also tornadoes tend to form over flat land (I wonder why?)
which is conducive to trailer parks.
--- jade

Answer 2:
Statistics from the National Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City show
that from 1975 to 1991 nearly 36% of all tornado deaths occurred in mobile
homes. Tornadoes don't hit mobile homes more often than conventional homes,
but mobile home are just that - mobile. They offer no protection in a tornado.
In April, 1991 a violent tornado struck Andover Kansas. 84 frame homes and 14
businesses were destroyed or severely damaged. Then the tornado hit a mobile
home park, destroying 223 trailers. 13 people were killed in Andover - all in
the mobile home park. 200 residents of the mobile home park did survive in the
park's storm shelter.
 allsopp