The Official HL Raffle/Donation Thread

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Neo

Why where cities in which tornadoes pass they make their houses out of wood...?

Even brick or steel houses won't always make it through a tornado. It's not just the sheer power of the wind that causes destruction, but also all the flying debris. I don't know of too many houses that will hold up very well when the tornado picks up a truck and decides to drop it into your house. And tornadoes are so unpredictable you can't really say that one will hit this state and not another.

[DeanOlicious]

I just also want to point out that tornado alley is a good 1,000 mile stretch across the US, so saying that tornadoes come through any one city over the other isn't exactly accurate. In November we had a tornado nail our capitol city Montgomery, causing severe damage, leveling a kid's play center made from cement bricks. Fortunately the 30 or so kids escaped with their lives and only one kid was injured thanks in large part to WSFA getting the weather warning out a good 5 minutes ahead of time. So even when you have a sound building, it does not guarantee the safety and security of your home when faced off with the torrential effects of nature. While I agree with you that homes do need to start shifting towards a sturdier structure, the benefits of the traditional wood home are still great. North America has an abundance of lumber, it's fast and relatively inexpensive to build a wood framed home, and wood homes are easy to modify with new rooms. There are methods used to build wood homes that make them more sound for storms such as hurricane brackets, but again, there is nothing that will guarantee your safety more than a basement and an evacuation plan.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by Panda Man

Prolific - Enterprise isn't allowing volunteers from outside the city yet.

We're talking about a few weeks from now, at which point that situation may (or may not) change.

[Panda Man]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

We're talking about a few weeks from now, at which point that situation may (or may not) change.

ahh, I believe Enterprise will be letting volunteers from outside the city in a few days. Our pastor is keeping up with it daily so I'll let you guys know.

[Reloadron]

Thus in conclusion, from reading here, we can build our houses from straw, sticks or bricks but if a category 5 tornado decides to come through there is a good possibility it won't matter.

Given a choice, I would opt for brick, however, I have always liked basements. A good deep basement with a secure frame. Years ago people took great stock in building tornado shelters.

Tom had himself one hell of an experience and I am sure one he will never forget and nor will his son. I guess when you come out of something like that you are just happy to still be alive. I can't begin to immagine since I have never been there and done that when it comes to tornadoes. We do get our share in Ohio, however, I have only seen the aftermath. Scarry stuff!

Ron

[Neo]

When u say "brick" are u refering to those red bricks? Cause I was thinking more of what they use here in PR... where we expect to recieve a hurricane each year at least. Luckly we haven't for the past years. Anyways... is more like this



put a couple of this in those holes



and fill it with concrete

Only thing I have seen to make a hole in a wall made like this was an SUV who crashed into it, but just did a hole like about 1-2 meter( 3-5 foot) in diameter. I believe it was going at 25-35Mph

at least every house here is made in that form, wood houses here... ummm never seen one except for the very old ones (70 years) in old places.

IMHO red bricks are not that strong.

But enough of architecture already and lets go back to the main topic =)

[killswitch83]

damn Tom, I just saw this thread and am VERY sorry to hear what you've gone through and still are going through......I'll definitely throw some financial and spiritual support your way buddy (the former of these will take a couple days though, when I get paid, but I will help, so help me God!). Hope you and yours is ok man.

[Dread]

Hiper Performance just got a new customer!

I have 3 systems in the planning stages right now
and it looks some some companies listed above is
where I'll be shopping.

Thanks for helping out :)

[sbohdan]

Originally Posted by Capper

Insurance is the biggest scam in the world.....make sure you fight these people tooth and nail. They make more money than you could ever dream, and never complain....but when it comes time to take care of the people they represent, they are going to do everything they can to screw you.

Two years ago this week i was robbed at my home while trying to sell a laptop computer I had listed in the paper. I called my insurance company and asked if it was worth filing a claim, and they told me definitely....so we did. They gave me $1000 for a $2000 computer, then proceeded to raise my insurance $3000 a year....needless to say we switched insurance companies.

sorry to hear that Rich
it's so true. I've seen that too many times... insurance and banks: scum of the earth...

[screwballl]

Florida is a perfect example of Insurance scam.

Nationwide, the companies that provide Americans with their homeowners and auto insurance made a record $44.8-billion profit (after claims and expenses were paid out) in 2005 even though insured losses for all hurricanes reached $57.1 billion arising from 3.3 million claims. That doesn't include the numbers from other automobile accidents and such paid out elsewhere. So that means 150 billion or more was collected by insurers and they paid a little over 25% of their income.... yet they force rates to skyrocket in FL anywhere from 50-500% (caused my monthly payment to almost double simply from insurance alone and we have never filed a claim) just to ensure more profits.
"Besides boosting profits, the industry raised its surplus by more than 7% to nearly $427 billion, according to an analysis of company filings by the National Assn. of Insurance Commissioners, which represents regulators from the 50 states. The surplus is intended to provide a financial cushion in times of high claims. The industry covered virtually all of its claims and expenses with premiums earned during the year rather than with surplus funds, according to the organization's analysis."

So if they covered it from premiums paid and have that major surplus to tap into... why f*****g raise rates in hurricane prone states?

Sorry these companies just get to me. I did have my chance from my 2004 car accident to get a few pennies from them.