As report by Homeland Security Wire, this new report from the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST): Joplin tornado highlights need for building design, construction standards. The lead paragraph:
Nationally accepted standards for building design and construction, public shelters, and emergency communications can significantly reduce deaths and the steep economic costs of property damage caused by tornadoes. That is the key conclusion of a two-year technical NIST investigation into the impacts of the 22 May 2011 tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri. Report and recommendations released for public comment.
UPDATE: The full report and additional details about the content of this 482 page study are on this NIST website.
Related articles
- Federal agency releases Joplin tornado study (arkansasonline.com)
- U.S. building standards too flimsy to reduce tornado deaths (news.yahoo.com)
- National standards urged for U.S. tornado protection (reuters.com)
Recovery Diva 
Claire,
Great topic. Do you have a link to the actual report? Thanks
Toney
Hi Toney:
Good question and an oversight on my part. The full report is almost 500 pages; but for those of you in the business, who want to see the full report, I added the direct URL to the agency source.