The Averys’ Monolithic Dome Home – Lee snapped this photo of their home on the morning after the tornado hit. Its two domes, joined by a tube connector, were unharmed, and Lee said that he and his wife felt safe while the storm raged.

The Averys’ Monolithic Dome Home – Lee snapped this photo of their home on the morning after the tornado hit. Its two domes, joined by a tube connector, were unharmed, and Lee said that he and his wife felt safe while the storm raged. (Lee Avery)

Tornado Hits Monolithic Dome in Durant, Mississippi

Freda Parker • Published • Monolithic Dome Benefits: Survivability

2:15 a.m. on April 27, 2011

An F3 tornado, with winds between 158-206 mph, hit the small town of Durant, Mississippi, including the Monolithic Dome home and garage of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Avery.

Built in 2009 by South Industries, Inc., the Averys have a 40-foot diameter dome-home joined by a tube connector to a 30-foot diameter dome-garage. The tornado did not hurt either Monolithic Dome, but did damage other property.

Lee sent an email report:

I’m currently using a temporary computer to log onto the Internet. Hopefully, our service will be reactivated soon.

At 2:15 A.M. on Wednesday, an F3 funnel cloud passed over my house. I was watching the toilet bowl water being sucked out as the funnel passed overhead. When it went by, the water came gushing out like a fountain.

I knew the winds had to be over 100 mph because I’ve driven over 100 mph in the rain before and know the sound. I knew it was a funnel cloud because all 4 windows in my house were being hit by straight wind simultaneously.

The house survived untouched (except the leaf spatters all over the surface). The same could not be said about my 100+ year-old trees. Every one of them was sheared off or knocked over at the roots. One very large tree fell across my driveway trapping me at home for 2 days. Power and water were out for 61 hours (ice cold sponge baths 3 days straight).

Being in my house, I felt no fear about the storm raging outside. Cleanup of the trees was a mess. When I’ve got the internet restored, I’ll send pictures of the fallen trees at my house and my next door neighbor’s house.

Regards,
Lee

Destroyed – On the Averys’ property, trees that had survived for more than 100 years did not survive this F3 tornado. It uprooted this large hickory.

Destroyed – On the Averys’ property, trees that had survived for more than 100 years did not survive this F3 tornado. It uprooted this large hickory. (Lee Avery)

Another Victim – The tornado blew down this large beech tree whose base was more than three feet thick.

Another Victim – The tornado blew down this large beech tree whose base was more than three feet thick. (Lee Avery)