Re: Natural hazards: New York vs the sea

FEMA 320 (a free publication from the U.S. Government, also available free online) teaches readers that all parts of the USA vulnerable to hurricanes are also in the "high risk zone for extreme winds." This includes straight-line winds and tornadoes, which latter are often created in hurricanes. FEMA 320 urges that all homes and small businesses in these risk zones have a "safe room" for protection against the worst winds. One weakness of all the responses I've seen to Sandy, including, unfortunately, this piece, is the absence of this information and advice from FEMA 320. The wind speeds in the strongest tornadoes are much higher than those in the strongest hurricanes. I personally think that building envelopes in this zone should be built to withstand an EF3 tornado &#8211 a feasible and proven goal. Too many people, from the highest elected officials to the average residents now displaced by Sandy, mistakenly think that the only natural hazard they have to protect against in the future is the last one that hit them. People need to take a comprehensive approach to natural-hazard mitigation; possibly the science must be taught to children in elementary schools.