An optimization model to inform alternatives for resilient communities for tornado building retrofits

Tornadoes devastate communities, razing buildings and critical infrastructure and claiming hundreds of lives annually. To reduce these catastrophic impacts and inform prioritized retrofits under resource constraints, an Alternatives for Resilient Communities (ARC) model for tornado hazards is introduced. ARC is a mathematical programming model informing optimal strategies to improve community-level resilience while meeting constraints related to system interdependencies, budget limits, and other considerations. The ARC model evaluates optimal retrofit strategies, including tornado shelters and structural retrofits for buildings, to minimize tornadoes’ social and economic impacts. Under various potential tornado events and budgetary constraints, optimal resilience enhancement strategies are evaluated, facilitating comparison of alternatives and investment prioritization to create tornado-resilient communities. As a case study, the model is run for the Joplin, Missouri community. The analysis demonstrates the tradeoffs of different retrofit strategies and quantifies their costs and benefits under various conditions, empowering decision makers to enhance resilience.