Florida is a vacation area with a transient population. The warnings for the Florida event were issued at the county level and several individuals may not have had local geographic knowledge to aid them in understanding the imminent threat in their particular location. Warnings issued should include more definitive information beyond just the county being affected. Clearer geographic information such as landmarks and road crossings could be more effective in communicating areas in imminent danger. Additionally, instructions on where to go and what to do should be included where possible.
Manufactured homes provide little to no protection during severe tornadoes.
Most people in the Florida event did not have emergency plans for tornadoes. The Florida assessment team identified a number of bath houses, laundries, etc., that were of masonry construction and could have been used by manufactured home residents given the warning lead time. There is a strong need for reasonably priced shelters in manufactured home parks and for low cost safe rooms in on-site constructed homes. Texas Tech University in conjunction with the American Association of Wind Engineers, under funding from FEMA, has developed an in-residence shelter design that is economical. NOAA weather radio could have helped in getting the warning out to residents.