News Tonaquint upgrades its newly acquired 65,000-square-foot Oklahoma Data Center to withstand tornadoes

[Admin]

Tonaquint has begun redesigning a recently acquired EdgeX facility at Oklahoma City to withstand tornados while maintaining 100% uptime, serving several important workloads for multiple clients in the region.

Tonaquint upgrades its newly acquired 65,000-square-foot Oklahoma Data Center to withstand tornadoes : Read more

 

[PEnns]

"The former EdgeX facility is located in Tornado Alley where 74 twisters occurred in 2023 and was just 25 miles away from the speediest tornado reported, with wind speeds up to 302 miles per hour."

Is it really a smart move to have such a center in Tornado Alley? Given, the structure will be "tornado proof". But what about the employees' (operators, management, maintenance, etc) and their housing, transportation, public infrastructure, and such?

I hope they included those scenarios and factored them in their "100% uptime" dream.

 

[mmhhectt]

Hopefully no offense to any friends in OK, none intended. But yeah, isn't that tempting fate, like a dare to Mother Nature? I guess maybe it is human nature to challenge Mother Nature and try to win. But from a purely financial perspective, one must wonder whether it would cost far less to have such a data center in a location far less prone to the wrath of the sky.

 

[bit_user]

Is it really a smart move to have such a center in Tornado Alley?

It's a pretty huge geographical area. It already has lots of industry (much of it agriculture-related). If the building is truly capable of withstanding a direct hit, then I see no reason not to locate there.

I was just hoping the article would give the main details of how they're fortifying it. I'd expect putting it underground would be the way to go, but could you do that with an existing datacenter?

I also wonder what sort of cooling system is tornado-proof.

Given, the structure will be "tornado proof". But what about the employees' (operators, management, maintenance, etc)

Most of them probably already live in the area. It doesn't take very many employees to run a datacenter, from what I understand. Especially a multi-tenant one.

and their housing, transportation, public infrastructure, and such?

I hope they included those scenarios and factored them in their "100% uptime" dream.

Okay, so just have a little more redundancy among your staff. Out in "the sticks", it's not as if most people rely on public transportation, but you have a point that staffing could be temporarily disrupted by such weather events.

isn't that tempting fate, like a dare to Mother Nature?

No. It's such a big area that the odds are still pretty low. Lots of people live and work there, yet the death rate is still probably lower than from most other natural disasters.

US Annual Tornado Death Tolls, 1875-present – NSSL News

inside.nssl.noaa.gov

For reference, lightning kills (slightly) more people:

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/lightning/victimdata/infographic.html
​

I can think of worse places to put it, from a climatological point of view.

 

[USAFRet]

Hurricanes, blizzards, forest fires, floods, tornados...everywhere has some critically bad weather once in a while.

 

[kanewolf]

Is it really a smart move to have such a center in Tornado Alley? Given, the structure will be "tornado proof". But what about the employees' (operators, management, maintenance, etc) and their housing, transportation, public infrastructure, and such?

I got to tour a Cisco data center in the Dallas area (lots of bad weather here also). They had built large berms around the data center so that even if a tornado approached, it would hit the berms and bounce over (that was the explanation). The data center had large on-site water storage and an on-site well so that cooling was self sufficient. This facility used flywheel UPS with diesel backup -- https://www.power-solutions.com/ups/mtu-drups-diesel-rotary-ups/ They had 6 or 8 of these.

 

[Deleted member 2969713]

I have one strict rule regarding location when choosing a place to live: no tornadoes. Uh-uh.

Hurricanes, blizzards, forest fires, floods, tornados...everywhere has some critically bad weather once in a while.

Not necessarily. I grew up near Sacramento, CA and never once experienced any natural disaster or critically bad weather. Granted, there was a dam nearby so catastrophic flooding was a possibility, though a very remote one, and it never happened.

 

[USAFRet]

I have one strict rule regarding location when choosing a place to live: no tornadoes. Uh-uh.


Not necessarily. I grew up near Sacramento, CA and never once experienced any natural disaster or critically bad weather. Granted, there was a dam nearby so catastrophic flooding was a possibility, though a very remote one, and it never happened.

"Sacramento's risk of flooding is the greatest of any major city in the country . . ."
"The most notable flooding occurred in 1986, 1995, 1997, 2006, and 2017."

https://waterresources.saccounty.gov/stormready/Pages/Region's-Flooding-History.aspx

(along with California level salaries, etc)

 

[kanewolf]

I have one strict rule regarding location when choosing a place to live: no tornadoes. Uh-uh.


Not necessarily. I grew up near Sacramento, CA and never once experienced any natural disaster or critically bad weather. Granted, there was a dam nearby so catastrophic flooding was a possibility, though a very remote one, and it never happened.

And "just" $20,000 / sqft to build !!!

 

[Deleted member 2969713]

"Sacramento's risk of flooding is the greatest of any major city in the country . . ."
"The most notable flooding occurred in 1986, 1995, 1997, 2006, and 2017."

https://waterresources.saccounty.gov/stormready/Pages/Region's-Flooding-History.aspx

(along with California level salaries, etc)

I lived in the area (nearby, not in the city itself) full-time from 1999 to 2011. I don't remember ever being affected by flooding.

And "just" $20,000 / sqft to build !!!

Hey, I didn't say it had no downsides. Just that the area where I grew up was pretty free of natural disasters. That would fall under something like "economical disaster."

 

[bit_user]

I grew up near Sacramento, CA and never once experienced any natural disaster or critically bad weather.

It's a good thing you got out before the wildfires.

https://riskfactor.com/city/sacramento-ca/664000_fsid/fire
​

 

[bit_user]

Just so everyone is clear what a large area they're talking about:

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Recently, it seems the location of "Tornado Alley" has started to shift eastward, putting people & infrastructure at elevated risk that haven't been properly prepared.

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Even so, there are lots of major cities in that region. You can't just not build stuff there.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_Alley

 

[punkncat]

I am sure some contractor was confident enough to allow the company to spend this money with them while relying on their word that the "proof" aspect is true. If there is one thing sure about a Tornado and environmental catastrophes in general is that they don't fit in a box. I bet the folks at Fukushima didn't think what happened there was possible either.

I have been at ground zero for some pretty powerful tornadoes and it is absolutely the hand of (an angry) God at work.

 

[kanewolf]

Recently, it seems the location of "Tornado Alley" has started to shift eastward, putting people & infrastructure at elevated risk that haven't been properly prepared.

Living in the Dallas area since 1980, I can definitely say that the tornado potential has moved east from when I got here in 1980.

 

[bit_user]

I am sure some contractor was confident enough to allow the company to spend this money with them while relying on their word that the "proof" aspect is true. If there is one thing sure about a Tornado and environmental catastrophes in general is that they don't fit in a box.

It's not impossible. Here's a house that withstood a direct hit from a Cat 5 hurricane.

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I bet the folks at Fukushima didn't think what happened there was possible either.

That's different. The reactors withstood the earthquake just fine (as designed), but the tsunami wiped out the backup generators. The design of the reactors meant that they needed to be actively cooled to avoid a meltdown. Wouldn't happen with newer reactor designs, or if they'd taken enough precautions when locating the generators.

It's a fine example of failure to take adequate precautions, which is the opposite of what the datacenter is doing.

I have been at ground zero for some pretty powerful tornadoes and it is absolutely the hand of (an angry) God at work.

Yes, they turn everyday objects and construction material into projectiles. That's why you essentially need to build a bunker (or go underground), to withstand them.

 

[punkncat]

It's not impossible. Here's a house that withstood a direct hit from a Cat 5 hurricane.

​

​

That's different. The reactors withstood the earthquake just fine (as designed), but the tsunami wiped out the backup generators. The design of the reactors meant that they needed to be actively cooled to avoid a meltdown. Wouldn't happen with newer reactor designs, or if they'd taken enough precautions when locating the generators.

It's a fine example of failure to take adequate precautions, which is the opposite of what the datacenter is doing.


Yes, they turn everyday objects and construction material into projectiles. That's why you essentially need to build a bunker (or go underground), to withstand them.

A buddy of mine is down in Panama City Beach. They had a (or a few) tornadoes come ashore a week or two back now in the same spot that the hurricane happened a few (five?) years back. Every single business all the way around their warehouse, including the retail store, were completely destroyed. The warehouse, which has no manner of toughening outside of standard (old) Florida building code, didn't take any significant damage at all. Twice.

It isn't because of it being built that tough, it is because of the very nature of a tornado. Now, I am not saying it is impossible, and see where you poo-poo the relation about Fukashima...but natural disasters just do those sort of things from time to time. Man likes to be arrogant enough to think we can prepare for it.

 

[Deleted member 2969713]

It's a good thing you got out before the wildfires.

​

https://riskfactor.com/city/sacramento-ca/664000_fsid/fire​

​

The California wildfires have indeed been bad recently, but though my hometown is listed as high risk, it has yet to be directly affected by one beyond the air being filled with smoke from distant fires.

I am sure some contractor was confident enough to allow the company to spend this money with them while relying on their word that the "proof" aspect is true. If there is one thing sure about a Tornado and environmental catastrophes in general is that they don't fit in a box. I bet the folks at Fukushima didn't think what happened there was possible either.

I have been at ground zero for some pretty powerful tornadoes and it is absolutely the hand of (an angry) God at work.

It would be hard to test the tornado proofing beyond computer simulations, unfortunately, so their word is all that can be given.

The fact that we seemingly do not yet understand "why" tornadoes form, despite well understanding the conditions that make a tornado ripe to form, is pretty unsettling.

 

[punkncat]

It would be hard to test the tornado proofing beyond computer simulations, unfortunately, so their word is all that can be given.

Back in 2010 my dad's place near Graysville, TN was hit by a tornado. I would be lying to say how strong, but the entire area looked like Godzilla made a swath. The dude across the street died. My father opened the door to see what was going on, was sucked up into the air 40 or so feet and let go of the door knob to fall back onto the main floor of the home just as it was collapsing. The entire house was destroyed. He was lucky enough to fall and roll into a protected spot. My step-mother and one of my cousins just happened to make it under the staircase which had a metal frame and pole, almost a 'pre-built' staircase. That was the only part of the house that was actually in place when this was done and the whole basement floor was poured concrete and block wall.

The most amazing aspect of it all was that dad had a roughly 40-50' box truck which he kept lumber in to be out of the weather. The storm picked this truck up into the air, moved it about 10' and set it down on its side so gently that the front glass didn't break. The only actual damage to the truck overall was a bent mirror mount. Every tree in an eighth (edit- sorry, maths) mile around this truck in every direction was down and most of them torn into splinters. That quarter mile was the path width on the storm.

 

[Deleted member 2969713]

Back in 2010 my dad's place near Graysville, TN was hit by a tornado. I would be lying to say how strong, but the entire area looked like Godzilla made a swath. The dude across the street died. My father opened the door to see what was going on, was sucked up into the air 40 or so feet and let go of the door knob to fall back onto the main floor of the home just as it was collapsing. The entire house was destroyed. He was lucky enough to fall and roll into a protected spot. My step-mother and one of my cousins just happened to make it under the staircase which had a metal frame and pole, almost a 'pre-built' staircase. That was the only part of the house that was actually in place when this was done and the whole basement floor was poured concrete and block wall.

The most amazing aspect of it all was that dad had a roughly 40-50' box truck which he kept lumber in to be out of the weather. The storm picked this truck up into the air, moved it about 10' and set it down on its side so gently that the front glass didn't break. The only actual damage to the truck overall was a bent mirror mount. Every tree in an eighth (edit- sorry, maths) mile around this truck in every direction was down and most of them torn into splinters. That quarter mile was the path width on the storm.

Holy moly, your dad was extremely lucky to survive that. What a story. So the tornado destroyed the basement too? I thought basements were supposed to be relatively safe from tornadoes. Guess it just strengthens your point that with tornadoes, safety can't be assured. Sounds like the truck was lucky too!

Edit: Are you sure the year was 2010? I tried to look up this tornado and didn't find any reference to it, and on a map of 2010 Tennessee tornadoes there wasn't one near Graysville.

 

[punkncat]

Holy moly, your dad was extremely lucky to survive that. What a story. So the tornado destroyed the basement too? I thought basements were supposed to be relatively safe from tornadoes. Guess it just strengthens your point that with tornadoes, safety can't be assured. Sounds like the truck was lucky too!

Edit: Are you sure the year was 2010? I tried to look up this tornado and didn't find any reference to it, and on a map of 2010 Tennessee tornadoes there wasn't one near Graysville.

Sorry, 4/30/2011 give or take a day. Had to go look at the picture folder, lol.

Graysville was his "mailing" address but was actually closer to one of the Clarksville's. To get there was up on the ridge along one side near (the) Red Bank(s), up from Sale Creek.

here is a pic of one of the views shared in my Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aatYsPT-2BRRsa-9bwth6l-8hntKnCcD/view?usp=sharing

Of note in that picture. The brown wood structure that is on the left in that picture was not actually on or from my dad's place. Just behind that, and probably the bld is sitting in it a little, are one of the two lakes that are on the property. This may have blown off the hill from up behind that lake and landed here.

 

[Deleted member 2969713]

Sorry, 4/30/2011 give or take a day. Had to go look at the picture folder, lol.

Graysville was his "mailing" address but was actually closer to one of the Clarksville's. To get there was up on the ridge along one side near (the) Red Bank(s), up from Sale Creek.

Yeah, prior to seeing your post I checked 2011 and saw that that was likely the year. An EF4 tornado, part of a massive outbreak on April 27th.

https://www.weather.gov/mrx/april272011outbreak

 

[Deleted member 2969713]

here is a pic of one of the views shared in my Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aatYsPT-2BRRsa-9bwth6l-8hntKnCcD/view?usp=sharing

Of note in that picture. The brown wood structure that is on the left in that picture was not actually on or from my dad's place. Just behind that, and probably the bld is sitting in it a little, are one of the two lakes that are on the property. This may have blown off the hill from up behind that lake and landed here.

Dang, that's crazy. So much destruction. I wonder if any of those trees survived the event.

 

[punkncat]

Dang, that's crazy. So much destruction. I wonder if any of those trees survived the event.

I really do not know. That was nearly my last time on or at the property. It was rather a trip. I don't even know who most of those people are. There was this huge buzz of activity with people lookie-loo'ing and rescue teams and Red Cross, and various fire, police, emergency people alongside the power and water companies...there were cell companies out setting up trailers to get signal into the area, church groups coming up offering help. It was absolutely a trip and just how well people came together to help out.
While we were working this day a car came up, opened its door, threw out four big flats of water bottles and a box full of dried foods and fruits and just pulled off. Didn't say a thing. At another point a representative from my step-mothers pharmacy pulled up and handed her a bag of the medications they knew she needed. Hadn't even had a chance to call anyone yet.

Later on, FEMA came out and put a travel trailer on the property. One of the two lakes/ponds on site is spring fed, the other is too in a sorta kinda way, but the one has water just perfectly clear. They tested it and threw a solar floaty thing with a pump on it, hooked that to the trailer, and they had safe drinking water aside from the filter in the float.

 

[Deleted member 2969713]

I really do not know. That was nearly my last time on or at the property. It was rather a trip. I don't even know who most of those people are. There was this huge buzz of activity with people lookie-loo'ing and rescue teams and Red Cross, and various fire, police, emergency people alongside the power and water companies...there were cell companies out setting up trailers to get signal into the area, church groups coming up offering help. It was absolutely a trip and just how well people came together to help out.
While we were working this day a car came up, opened its door, threw out four big flats of water bottles and a box full of dried foods and fruits and just pulled off. Didn't say a thing. At another point a representative from my step-mothers pharmacy pulled up and handed her a bag of the medications they knew she needed. Hadn't even had a chance to call anyone yet.

Later on, FEMA came out and put a travel trailer on the property. One of the two lakes/ponds on site is spring fed, the other is too in a sorta kinda way, but the one has water just perfectly clear. They tested it and threw a solar floaty thing with a pump on it, hooked that to the trailer, and they had safe drinking water aside from the filter in the float.

That's cool to hear about people helping each other out. Disasters seem to inspire that kind of solidarity in people. And yeah, that must have been quite an experience.

 

[bit_user]

It isn't because of it being built that tough, it is because of the very nature of a tornado. Now, I am not saying it is impossible, and see where you poo-poo the relation about Fukashima...but natural disasters just do those sort of things from time to time. Man likes to be arrogant enough to think we can prepare for it.

Dude, it's ultimately just wind and pressure differences. They're heavily studied and well-understood. There are wind tunnels for testing out materials & construction techniques, as well as tools like air cannons for firing 2x4 wood beams at speeds that tornadoes fling them.

If people are willing to spend the money, you can do a good job of building structures that can withstand them. This is routinely done for critical infrastructure, like hospitals and emergency response centers, in hurricane-prone and tornado-prone locations.

I think you're somehow conflating the randomness of their impact with some kind of inability to prepare for them, but that's not at all the case. It's engineering, not gambling - and not even rocket science, at that.

It would be hard to test the tornado proofing beyond computer simulations, unfortunately, so their word is all that can be given.

The fact that we seemingly do not yet understand "why" tornadoes form, despite well understanding the conditions that make a tornado ripe to form, is pretty unsettling.

Neither of these assertions is true. The fact that we can't exactly predict tornadoes doesn't mean the underlying dynamics are unknown.

I don't know why you guys seem to be so invested in hopelessness and futility, but this is a tech website and some of us here believe in science and engineering.