rebuilding with wood in tornado zones...are they nuts?

See, I am with you on that, because the floods do happen much more frequently than the tornadoes. I do not know of any town that has been wiped out twice by a tornado. Lots of places get hit every year or two by flooding and hurricanes as well. How about building near an earthquake fault line?

Even in tornado country it is important that a house be able to sway some in the wind and be flexible. It is true that disasters like tornadoes do not always occur in the same place. There are some disasters that do occur in the same place, but we all need to think about what we choose when we build. Many older homes, made of wood, stand better than newer homes, I know that much. I guess I am just saying that I feel you are right in this instance.

Even with resilient materials laid over a concrete floor or slab it is harder on bones and joints than a house with a wooden floor over a basement or crawl space. I have lived in both. I have known plenty of people who have worked standing on concrete floors, whether with carpet or tile over it and I have helped take care of people who have had knees and hips replaced due to the extra wear and tear.Why do you think stores like Wal Mart and others have to get cushioned mats for their employees? Why do you think nurses often wear orthotic shoes? Why do you think running tracks are not concrete? I know you did not visit the entire United States, and not everyplace is a big city where everyone walks everywhere and it is all concrete. In fact, the walking paths in one of our community parks were concrete and were damaged by the weather and floods and freezes and were replaced by asphalt which gives more, and feels different to walk on. I guess the schools here do not insulate well enough. I know what I have experienced working in them. That was, I admit, cinder block and not poured concrete, but the air cavities are supposed to help ameliorate the temperature changes. You are younger than my children and of course do not feel the wear and tear in your joints at this time. I probably laughed at my elders when they complained about things I did not feel when I was in my twenties and thirties. When I walk, I often walk on the grass beside the sidewalk, because it feels better, and because the frost heave or tree roots throw the blocks up and make a tripping hazard. I have to wear custom orthotics in my shoes when I walk as it is, without tripping on something. I am only stating my preference and my experience over my many years and various places of employment and dwelling places. So, in your houses made of concrete is each floor a concrete slab? I cannot imagine a multi story apartment building built that way. I agree that if we have our homes destroyed we need to think carefully about how we replace the structure, but that is often determined by insurance and building codes. The best things I have seen in new building are foundations or basements poured of concrete into foam forms that remain in place to insulate. Then studs are 2x6 and made of steel instead of wood. I think the ideal home in "Tornado Alley" is a bermed home, however, and would be easier to heat and cool, but not all geological areas are suited to this construction and I just do not think we can demand that people all build their houses the same or from the same materials.