More than half of at-home tornado deaths occur in mobile homes, state data shows

(AP) — The Associated Press analyzed tornado deaths and found that since 1996, 53% of the tornado deaths in people’s homes were in mobile or manufactured housing.

That’s even though manufactured homes are less than 6% of the American housing stock. It’s more than 800 deaths in mobile or manufactured homes.

And when tornadoes are weak — with winds of 135 mph or less — an even higher proportion of tornado deaths at home, 79%, are in mobile homes. This is a story that is easily localized, by looking at tornado deaths, mobile home rates and applicable federal rules in your state and counties.

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TOP 10 STATES WITH TORNADO DEATHS

Below are publishable paragraphs about the 10 states with the most tornado deaths. We also include how many deaths were at home, the percentage of those at-home deaths in mobile or manufactured homes and the percentage of the state’s housing stock that are manufactured homes.

ALABAMA

Since 1996, Alabama leads the country by far with 396 tornado deaths, with 293 of them at home. Of those at-home deaths, 49.1% or 144, of them were in mobile or manufactured homes. Yet only 11% of Alabama’s housing stock are mobile homes.

MISSOURI

Since 1996, Missouri ranks second in the country with 252 tornado deaths, with 139 of them at home. Of those at-home deaths, 28.8% or 40, of them were in mobile or manufactured homes. Yet only 5.3% of Missouri’s housing stock are mobile homes.

TENNESSEE

Since 1996, Tennessee ranks third in the country by with 204 tornado deaths, with 176 of them at home. Of those at-home deaths, 47.7% or 84, of them were in mobile or manufactured homes. Yet only 7.5% of Tennessee’s housing stock are mobile homes.

MISSISSIPPI

Since 1996, Mississippi ranks fourth in the country with 137 tornado deaths, with 99 of them at home. Of those at-home deaths, 59.6% or 59, of them were in mobile or manufactured homes. Yet only 12.4% of Mississippi’s housing stock are mobile homes.

OKLAHOMA

Since 1996, Oklahoma ranks fifth in the country with 131 tornado deaths, with 86 of them at home. Of those at-home deaths, 44.2% or 38, of them were in mobile or manufactured homes. Yet only 7.7% of Oklahoma’s housing stock are mobile homes.

ARKANSAS

Since 1996, Arkansas ranks sixth in the country with 126 tornado deaths, with 97 of them at home. Of those at-home deaths, 53.6% or 52, of them were in mobile or manufactured homes. Yet only 9.9% of Arkansas’ housing stock are mobile homes

KENTUCKY

Since 1996, Kentucky ranks seventh in the country with 117 tornado deaths, with 94 of them at home. Of those at-home deaths, 53.2% or 50, of them were in mobile or manufactured homes. Yet only 9.8% of Kentucky’s housing stock are mobile homes.

GEORGIA

Since 1996, Georgia ranks eighth in country with 111 tornado deaths, with 104 of them at home. Of those at-home deaths, 76% or 79, of them were in mobile or manufactured homes. Yet only 7.5% of Georgia’s housing stock are mobile homes.

TEXAS

Since 1996, Texas ranks ninth in the country with 106 tornado deaths, with 77 of them at home. Of those at-home deaths, 51.9% or 40, of them were in mobile or manufactured homes. Yet only 6.1% of Texas’ housing stock are mobile homes.

FLORIDA

Since 1996, Florida ranks tenth in the country with 81 tornado deaths, with 67 of them at home. Of those at-home deaths, 86.6% or 58, of them were in mobile or manufactured homes. Yet only 7.5% of Florida’s housing stock are mobile homes.

SOURCES: NOAA, U.S. Census Bureau

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