Release of FEMA P-908 – 2011 Tornado MAT Report

In honor of the one year anniversary of the tragic Joplin, Missouri tornado, FEMA is pleased to release publication P-908. The Spring 2011 Tornado MAT Report is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the April 25–28, 2011 tornadoes in the southeastern United States and the May 22, 2011 tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri. This report is also dedicated to the families, friends, and communities suffering from their loss.

FEMA P-908 presents the MAT observations with 47 conclusions, and 49 recommendations directed at improving public safety and building performance during tornado events. The MAT report focuses primarily on the performance of the following types of construction:

• Residential buildings
• Industrial and commercial buildings
• Schools
• Critical facilities
• Safe rooms

The conclusions and hundreds of photos presented in FEMA P-908 stem from core needs to:

• Adopt and implement current model building codes
• Build safe rooms
• Identify best-available tornado refuge areas in the absence of a safe room, storm shelter, or hardened area

Key recommendations include proposed changes to building codes, assessments of all new and existing critical facilities for use as tornado refuge areas, proposed protections to schools and further study into the behavior of individuals seeking refuge during tornadoes.

To download the MAT report, please go to: http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=5633