Greensburg - American Planning Association

Impacts of high winds +
tornados
An obstruction, such as a house, in the
path of a tornado causes the winds to
slow down and change direction. This
change increases pressure on parts of
the house, and the combination of
increased pressures and fluctuating
wind speeds creates stresses that
frequently cause structural failures.
Structures and Property
Structures can be damaged by sliding,
overturning, material failure, or lateral
collapse or by flying debris carried by
extreme winds. Wind pressure can also
affect a structure by pushing walls,
doors, and windows inward or creating
suction that pulls building components
and surfaces outward. Damage can be
minimal with broken windows and
damaged roofs, or extreme, causing the
entire structure to fail.
sliding
overturning
Unfortunately, even residential and
commercial structures that are built to
code are susceptible to damage and
there is no such thing as a tornadoproof
building. Understanding how wind
storms and tornados affect structures
will help us improve our building
techniques and help build a stronger
Greensburg.
material
failure
Lateral
Collapse
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Greensburg Sustainable Comprehensive Plan
CITY OF GREENSBURG, KANSAS + BNIM