The new Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones movie, Twisters, features a heart-pounding story of survival against one of the most dangerous natural disasters – tornadoes. The film follows meteorologist Kate Cooper and Tyler Owens, an online storm chaser persona, through their confrontations with deadly tornadoes in central Oklahoma. While the story dramatizes elements of this natural disaster, the chaos raises real questions about tornado safety and preparedness for residents of areas prone to these storms.

The key to staying safe during a tornado lies in the proactive measures taken to guard oneself and one’s home. Luckily, Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) have proven themselves as an efficient building solution for disaster protection. Let’s explore the aspects of tornado safety portrayed in Twisters and how ICF construction offers the necessary strength and resiliency to shield homeowners in the real world.

Brace for Impact: Durability against Nature’s Fury

The characters in Twisters chase the thrill of the hunt, depicted by the fast-moving storms. During a tornado, wind speeds can range from 65 mph (104 kph) to over 200 mph (322 kph) while carrying debris from the ground that can cause life-threatening destruction. However, homes and safe rooms constructed with Nudura ICFs can withstand winds of up to 250 mph (402 kph), which is the equivalent to an F4 tornado. With the steel-reinforced concrete walls, ICF structures also protect against flying debris of up to 100 mph. In the midst of a dangerous tornado, residents will be safe in a structure built with Nudura’s Insulated Concrete Forms. Comprised of high-density foam insulation and a concrete core, they offer outstanding disaster resilience and moisture- and mold-resistance for long-term structural integrity and security for your home.

Download our ICF 101 Guide to learn about all the uses of Insulated Concrete Forms.

Enhancing Soundproofing for Security

The film showcases roaring winds and hurtling debris as an inevitable part of enduring a cyclone, brushing over the availability of comfortable storm-resistant structures. Being in the midst of a windstorm can be frightening enough without the added sounds of wind and debris a storm can bring. Having a safe and quiet home can help give you peace of mind during the chaos of a tornado. A structure built with ICFs provides excellent soundproofing properties, dampening or eliminating exterior noises due to the thick walls’ concrete core and double-sided insulation. This noise reduction ensures a greater sense of calm, during tornadoes, heavy storms and every day distractions.

Energy Efficiency: Not a Luxury by a Lifesaver

In storm chasing movies, the complications from power outages are often used as a plot point to build suspense.  The reality of the situation is far more serious and potentially long-lasting. With extreme storms, high winds and falling trees can lead to downed powerlines, shutting down the grid for hundreds of thousands of households. Losing one’s heating and cooling system causes additional safety concerns as families are restricted to their home in potentially high heats or cold temperatures. The airtight continuous insulation of ICF walls minimizes thermal transfer to maintain a consistent indoor temperature for longer than a wood-frame building, even without a working HVAC system. In non-emergent situations, this energy efficiency and temperature stability offers year-round comfort and cost savings on utility bills.

Quick Construction for Immediate Protection

In Twisters, the daring chases make it seem like predicting and dodging tornadoes is an easy feat, underestimating the need for reliable safe shelters. For residents living in tornado alley and other tornado-prone areas, these storms can occur anytime throughout the year. However, the National Weather Service published, “peak tornado season is during the months of March through June, with nearly nearly 70 percent of all tornadoes occurring during this time period.” Luckily, utilizing lightweight and easy-to-install ICFs cuts labor costs and speeds up the construction process. For homeowners like the Geegans, the quick installation and disaster resilience can provide the necessary shelter before a devastating storm strikes. They moved into their ICF home in Kentucky in October, just in time to protect them from a tornado hit in December. Choosing ICFs for their building method grants residents living in high-risk tornado zones an immediate peace of mind.  

Air Quality During the Aftermath

According to the American Lung Association, tornadoes can cause dangerous air pollution due to the substantial dust and dirt pickup. The high-speed winds and flying debris also have the power to demolish containers storing toxic pollutants, such as asbestos, that can be spread to surrounding areas. Twisters brushes over this issue of deteriorating air quality.

Thankfully, homes constructed with Insulated Concrete Forms have an air-tight building envelope that prevents the infiltration of these pollutants and allergens. The design not only helps maintain cleaner indoor air quality, but also supports a healthier living environment for occupants, especially those with any respiratory conditions.

The Costs of Tornado Damage

Throughout the film, viewers see the physical devastation that tornadoes leave behind, but not all the economic, life safety and ecological impacts on affected communities. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), each year, there are more than 1,200 tornadoes in the United States. Of the 1,341 tornadoes recorded in 2022, each tornado caused, on average, over $680,000 in property damage.

Extreme weather also puts you and your family’s lives at risk. Between 2019 and 2023, the NOAA reported 326 tornado-related fatalities. These tornado statistics do not factor in the environmental costs that come from subsequent harm to the local ecosystems and the additional materials needed for infrastructure repairs, renovations and rebuilding.

From Destruction to Construction: Protection for a Lasting Future

Proactively building with Insulated Concrete Forms can prevent the need for reconstruction, while protecting lives and the environment from damage. Nudura ICFs can also be installed quickly to shrink construction timelines and provide near instant safety. An ICF building also maintains indoor temperatures, lowering HVAC usage and carbon emissions.

Following Kate Cooper and Tyler Owens on their storm chasing journey is exciting to watch, but tornado safety consists of more than what is shown on the big screen. In addition to following proper storm protocol, building with Nudura ICFs provides unbeatable tornado protection, keeping your and your loved ones safe in an emergency with a durable, soundproof and energy efficient home that will last for generations.

For more information on Insulated Concrete Form technology and its applications, download our ICF 101 Guide here!