COSAM News Articles 2023 November Share this tornado resiliency research project

Share this tornado resiliency research project

Published: 11/27/2023

Auburn University’s Department of Geosciences is taking part in a research project that intends to improve tornado resilience for mobile and manufactured homes. The purpose of the study is to learn more about the perceptions of mobile/manufactured homeowners when it comes to using anchoring systems designed for high winds.

We are working with a group of researchers from the University of North Texas’ Department of Emergency Management & Disaster Science. The full title of the study is: “Achieving Greater Tornado Resilience through Informed Decision-Making About Reinforcing the Anchorage of Mobile and Manufactured Homes.” You must be at least 18 years old and own and live in a mobile or manufactured home as your primary residence to participate.

I am reaching out to ask you to consider participating in this important study. If you think you might be interested, then the next step would be to complete a short, 10 question online survey. The researchers will use the survey to determine who is eligible for the rest of the study. You will not receive compensation for participating in the survey.

If you are eligible for the rest of the study, you may be invited to participate in an interview with researchers. The interview would last about one hour. Participants selected for this second phase of research will be provided a $25 gift card as thanks for their valuable time and input. Because the researchers are looking for a broad range of perspectives and can only accept a limited number of participants, taking the survey does not guarantee you will serve as an interview participant.

This project will inform the design of better educational materials about anchoring systems for owners of mobile and manufactured homes. This knowledge will assist in decision making to make housing in our community more resilient to strong storms and tornadoes, so I hope you will consider participating!

Here is a link to the survey.

Please feel free to call or email me with any questions. You may also contact the Principal Investigator, Ronald Schumann (Ronald.schumann@unt.edu, 940-565-2996).

To learn more, visit the project website: https://hps.unt.edu/emds/achieving-greater-tornado-resilience.