Early on the morning of Sunday, November 6, 2005, a devastating major tornado carved a three quarter mile wide, forty one mile path of destruction and death across northern Kentucky and southern Indiana near Evansville. Twenty five people died in the twister and over 200 were injured. The tornado apparently touched down around 1:50 a.m. CST . near Geneva, Kentucky, about 4 miles WSW of Henderson, Kentucky. It crossed the Ohio River a couple of times. The tornado then roared northeast toward the southeast side of Evansville, crossing the river again and moving into Indiana. It fell with a hellish fury on the Eastbrook Mobile Home Park, along I-164. Here is where most of the fatalities occurred. More large residential neighborhoods on the west side of Newburgh were next in the path. This is where at least F3 damage (158-208 mph) is evident. The tornado then roared across Newburgh and into De Gonia Springs in Warrick County. The damage was rated as F3.
Recently, Indiana’s Governor has signed legislation into law that requires any mobile home installed after June 30th be equipped with a NOAA Weatheradio. The bill was inspired by Kathryn Martin, whose two year old son C.J. was killed along with two other family members.
The law is admirable. But it really stops short of really making a difference for people who reside in manufactured housing. Acquiring a Weatheradio is a first step. But the individual who owns the radio must program it properly. There is nothing that says they will keep it on in alert mode and stocked with fresh batteries. Then, after a few false alarms, there is nothing to keep the owner from turning off the radio.
Finally, when a tornado warning comes, where do the residents of manufactured go? In a large mobile home park with no shelter, a panic could ensue. Dozens of people trying to leave at the last minute in their cars are in no better position than those remaining in the mobile homes. Mobile home park owners should be required to provide tornado shelters. But nothing beats personal responsibility and awareness.
