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Moore Approves New Residential Building Code

Joe Wertz
/
StateImpact Oklahoma

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — City leaders in Moore have approved new residential building codes requiring new homes to be built to withstand winds of up to 135 mph.

Officials say Moore is believed to be the first U.S. city to adopt building codes aimed at making homes more resistant to damage caused by tornadoes. The building standard now used requires homes to withstand winds of up to 90 mph.

Mayor Glenn Lewis says houses built under the new code still wouldn't have held up to a direct hit from an EF5 tornado like the one that devastated the city last year. But he says the new building code would protect structures and its residents in a less powerful storm.

The new requirements take effect April 17.