Eldridge - Blog 5

Geronimo High School, Geronimo, Oklahoma

My house was destroyed in the 2013 Moore tornado. I lived off of Santa Fe Road near Plaza Towers Elementary School. I survived the storm by taking shelter in my interior bathroom; the only room left standing after the tornado passed overhead. I went back to my old neighborhood a couple weeks ago to see the new houses being constructed. They look nice. There is a lot less wood and a lot more brick. I don't care if your house is made of wood or brick, the tornadoes that have hit Moore will destroy it. I've seen it up close.

After the Moore tornado and the uptick in earthquakes, I began to search for structures that could reasonably withstand both. During my search, the Geronimo High School popped up. The school consists of five domes and the last one was completed in 2009. The school also acts the the community tornado shelter.

Gymnasium Dome Interior

I have to admit that the domes are a bit ugly; however, these are buildings built for a specific function, to withstand the elements. Weather patterns are changing, earthquakes are becoming more common, and population centers are growing denser. Oklahoma's building infrastructure is not prepared. If any city in the United States should have been ready for a big tornado, it should have been Moore after the 1999 tornado. Yet, Moore was once again flattened to the foundation. Rather that change its building habits, Moore was rebuilt the exact same way with a few more tornado shelters. Building shelters may save lives but it does little to protect infrastructure. If we are to continue living in this environment, we must adapt our environment. More domed buildings, although an eyesore, would be a good first step.

Picture Source

http://lagallc.com/projects/geronimo.html