Manufactured Home Coach

Safety & Ownership

Are manufactured homes safe in storms?

The short answer

New manufactured homes are built to federal construction and wind standards, but no home is tornado-proof.

Have a severe-weather plan

Proper installation and anchoring matter. During a tornado warning, follow local emergency guidance and go to a designated storm shelter or other safer location rather than staying in the home.

Choose a shelter before severe weather arrives

Identify a sturdy building or designated storm shelter you can reach and confirm when it is accessible. Plan transportation and assistance for anyone who needs extra time. Mobile and manufactured homes are not safe shelter during a tornado.

Follow local weather alerts and leave for your safer location early enough that you are not traveling as the tornado arrives. Do not rely on a bathroom, closet, or anchoring system to make the home tornado-safe. Use the National Weather Service guidance linked here to plan ahead.

Make the shelter plan usable

Practice the route on a clear day and have a backup if the first shelter is closed. Include pets, medications, and anyone who needs help getting into a vehicle. Keep more than one way to receive warnings, including one that can wake you at night. Preparing the home and planning where people will shelter are two separate jobs.