Speaking of preparing for storms...

Okay, I put this in jokes because while I believe the photo is genuine....how can anyone take this man seriously? I think it can sometimes be seen just by driving down a street before a storm, who has been through one or a dozen of them and who has no clue what they are about to experience.

...as if... Oh brother!



Yes...He really does appear to be tying down his HOUSE like a Christmas Tree on the family wagon for the trip home.

I know this is a horrible crisis we're watching, but if we don't take a little humor where it can be so obviously found, stress can do funny and unpleasant things after a brief time of it.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000

I don't know the guy, so no idea what he may be thinking, but I doubt he is trying to tie down the whole house.

More likely just the roof, as strong winds can remove the roof (in it's entirety) from a house. After Katrina, I saw many, many buildings intact, except for the roofs.

I'm not saying this would work, but hey, it may not be the worst idea ever...

I suppose someone can find logic in almost anything imaginable. He obviously did, to do that. Reverse search the image though and it's all over as about what it appears to be. I'd say, if he used commercial grade tarps like you'd have on a flatbed truck and easily dealing with 70Mph winds all day, every day with gusts higher and in all ways...it COULD work. I suppose. The cost would outweigh the benefit, IMO. Especially with homeowners insurance.

This way tho? Well.. I got a laugh out of it anyway. I read that like someone who says they can brace themselves against the forces of a car accident. One just has to live it to have a sense of the forces I suppose. I'm not guessing those are anchored so deeply that the forces which would tear a roof off a house wouldn't pull the 'tent stakes' right up with it. It'd be interesting to see after a major piece of a storm goes right over with neighborhood damage though. Maybe in a few hours?

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


If you look into modular homes (Yes, Trailer homes) they are strapped (the proper term) down in much the same way, except that the straps are hidden within the exterior walls.

Just looking at aerial photos of tornado magnets, also known as trailer parks, confirms that this is not that bad of a idea. Some do it, but many do not.

reply to post by TDawgRex

True on that. I wouldn't want to suggest that tech doesn't exist to mitigate high wind damage. it's even code in some places. Epcot has a science center with a number of mock ups and demonstrations on how it works. Really interesting and a type of steel cable running through the walls and anchored. Also, literally tying the roof to the main load bearing walls so one couldn't go without the other.

Not to get all technical now because it really spoils the whole humor of the thing but the idiot compromised his house structure, he didn't improve it. It's MORE likely to fail that way. First, you can physically see the strap tension. It's almost incredible to think about on that scale... but yikes. It literally IS the same thing you see as a truck driver if you over tighten straps on a flatbed or don't use them properly. A very slight bowing. On that scale. Wow.

More importantly though...the roof and design of the house is meant to flex and move as a strength, not a weakness. what that did was remove that strength but only in two spots. That weakened the rest and particularly the center. At least I'd put my money on it....and those actual high wind, destructive demos at Epcot were really instructional. lol...

but technical ruins the spontaneous absurdity of strapping your house down like cargo.

I have to give ya props.

Education through comedy. (As I sit here in the middle of TS Sandy with trees tearing down my next door apartment...) Truthful statement by the way. (I don't think anyone is living there as no one answered either door. I checked.

Oh, the irony.

I never would have thought it possible that a tropical Depression would have made it this far into Ohio. This storm is worst than Hugo, as far as I'm concerned, and I was at ground zero for that one.

But one must remain his wits about him, eh?

reply to post by TDawgRex

You're getting meaningful damage in Ohio?? Yikes.. I have family in the Youngstown area. I suppose I better get back to the news on that. I'd never really expected it to carry damage THAT far. geeze.. Thanks for that tidbit.

You stay safe out there! Now I'm really concerned about what is to your East. This one isn't funny in any way at all.