Tornadoes in the Gulf Coast States
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Severe Storms in the Midwest
Informational/Education Material 2006-06 Illinois State Water Survey SEVERE STORMS IN THE MIDWEST Stanley A. Changnon Kenneth E. Kunkel SEVERE STORMS IN THE MIDWEST By Stanley A. Changnon and Kenneth E. Kunkel Midwestern Regional Climate Center Illinois State Water Survey Champaign, IL Illinois State Water Survey Report I/EM 2006-06 i This report was printed on recycled and recyclable papers ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract........................................................................................................................................... v Chapter 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2. Thunderstorms and Lightning ...................................................................................... 7 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 7 Causes ................................................................................................................................. 8 Temporal and Spatial Distributions .................................................................................. 12 Impacts.............................................................................................................................. 13 Lightning........................................................................................................................... 14 References ....................................................................................................................... -
Tornadoes & Funnel Clouds Fake Tornado
NOAA’s National Weather Service Basic Concepts of Severe Storm Spotting 2009 – Rusty Kapela Milwaukee/Sullivan weather.gov/milwaukee Housekeeping Duties • How many new spotters? - if this is your first spotter class & you intend to be a spotter – please raise your hands. • A basic spotter class slide set & an advanced spotter slide set can be found on the Storm Spotter Page on the Milwaukee/Sullivan web site (handout). • Utilize search engines and You Tube to find storm videos and other material. Class Agenda • 1) Why we are here • 2) National Weather Service Structure & Role • 3) Role of Spotters • 4) Types of reports needed from spotters • 5) Thunderstorm structure • 6) Shelf clouds & rotating wall clouds • 7) You earn your “Learner’s Permit” Thunderstorm Structure Those two cloud features you were wondering about… Storm Movement Shelf Cloud Rotating Wall Cloud Rain, Hail, Downburst winds Tornadoes & Funnel Clouds Fake Tornado It’s not rotating & no damage! Let’s Get Started! Video Why are we here? Parsons Manufacturing 120-140 employees inside July 13, 2004 Roanoke, IL Storm shelters F4 Tornado – no injuries or deaths. They have trained spotters with 2-way radios Why Are We Here? National Weather Service’s role – Issue warnings & provide training Spotter’s role – Provide ground-truth reports and observations We need (more) spotters!! National Weather Service Structure & Role • Federal Government • Department of Commerce • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration • National Weather Service 122 Field Offices, 6 Regional, 13 River Forecast Centers, Headquarters, other specialty centers Mission – issue forecasts and warnings to minimize the loss of life & property National Weather Service Forecast Office - Milwaukee/Sullivan Watch/Warning responsibility for 20 counties in southeast and south- central Wisconsin. -
Unusually Devastating Tornadoes in the United States: 1995–2016
Unusually devastating tornadoes in the United States: 1995–2016 Tyler Fricker ∗, James B. Elsner 1 Florida State University ∗ 2 Corresponding author address: Tyler Fricker, Florida State University, Department of Geography, 3 Florida State University, 113 Collegiate Loop, Tallahassee, FL 32306. 4 E-mail: [email protected] Generated using v4.3.2 of the AMS LATEX template 1 ABSTRACT 5 Previous research has identified a number of physical, socioeconomic, and 6 demographic factors related to tornado casualty rates. However, there remains 7 gaps in our understanding of community-level vulnerabilities to tornadoes. 8 Here a framework for systematically identifying the most unusually devastat- 9 ing tornadoes, defined as those where the observed number of casualties far 10 exceeds the predicted number, is provided. Results show that unusually dev- 11 astating tornadoes occur anywhere tornadoes occur in the United States, but 12 rural areas across the Southeast appear to be most frequented. Five examples 13 of unusually devastating tornadoes impacting four communities are examined 14 in more detail. In addition, results highlight that cities and towns impacted 15 by unusually devastating tornadoes have their own socioeconomic and de- 16 mographic profiles. Identifying geographic clusters of unusually devastating 17 tornadoes builds a foundation to address community-level causes of destruc- 18 tion that supports ethnographic and qualitative—in addition to quantitative— 19 studies of place-based vulnerability. 2 1. Introduction Tornadoes are one of the deadliest weather-related hazards in the United States. Wind energy and population density explain a large portion of tornado casualty rates (Ashley et al. 2014; Ashley and Strader 2016; Fricker et al. -
Killer Tornado Guide (1950-2020) for North Central and Northeast Wisconsin
KILLER TORNADO GUIDE (1950-2020) FOR NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST WISCONSIN Updated: 2/1/21 1 KILLER TORNADO GUIDE (1950-2020) FOR NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST WISCONSIN BROWN MENOMINEE CALUMET OCONTO DOOR ONEIDA FOREST OUTAGAMIE FLORENCE PORTAGE KEWAUNEE SHAWANO LANGLADE VILAS LINCOLN WAUPACA MANITOWOC WAUSHARA MARATHON WINNEBAGO MARINETTE WOOD 2 TORNADO REFERENCE GUIDE – KILLER TORNADOES DATE Time Deadly Tornadoes in GRB Service Area Deaths Month Day Year (CST) Start / End Location County or Counties 2 6 25 1950 21:00 1 W Woodboro - 5 NE Rhinelander Oneida 6 9 26 1951 15:45-1608 9 SSW Amherst - 2 SW Bear Creek Portage, Waupaca 2 4 3 1956 12:50 3 S Bancroft - 2 NW Amherst Portage 2 8 19 1968 16:10 3 SW Pound - Marinette Marinette 1 8 9 1979 18:20 Rockland Beach Calumet 1 4 27 1984 14:37-15:07 Fawn Lake - Star Lake Oneida, Vilas 1 4 27 1984 15:20-15:40 1 NE Winneconne - Freedom Winnebago, Outagamie 2 6 8 1985 18:15-18:32 Park Falls - 3 SE Monico Oneida 1 8 29 1992 19:10-19:55 1 N Wautoma - 3 SE Poy Sippi Waushara 1 8 19 2011 15:45-15:56 2.9 NW - 5.2 ESE Wausaukee Marinette 2 DEATHS: June 25, 1950 The EF4 tornado touched down one mile west of Woodboro in Oneida County around 9 PM CST and traveled 13.1 miles to five miles northeast of Rhinelander. The tornado reached a maximum width of 880 yards. Two deaths were reported in Oneida County. 6 DEATHS: September 26, 1951 The EF4 tornado developed 9 miles south southwest of Amherst in Portage County around 3:45 PM CST. -
How Mobile Home Residents Understand and Respond to Tornado Warnings
JULY 2019 L I U E T A L . 521 How Mobile Home Residents Understand and Respond to Tornado Warnings BROOKE FISHER LIU Department of Communication, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, Maryland a MICHAEL EGNOTO National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, University of Maryland, Downloaded from http://journals.ametsoc.org/wcas/article-pdf/11/3/521/4879140/wcas-d-17-0080_1.pdf by guest on 04 August 2020 College Park, College Park, Maryland JUNGKYU RHYS LIM Department of Communication, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, Maryland (Manuscript received 26 July 2017, in final form 19 February 2019) ABSTRACT Mobile home residents experience higher fatality rates from tornadoes than ‘‘fixed home’’ residents. Yet, research on how mobile home residents understand and respond to tornado warnings is lacking. Such research can help meteorologists and their partners better communicate tornado risk. We conducted four surveys with residents of the southeastern United States. This region has the highest concentration of tornado fatalities and killer tornadoes, in part because of the high density of mobile homes. Findings reveal that today’s tornado warning system inadequately prepares mobile home residents to respond safely to tornadoes. The study offers recommendations for how to improve tornado communication for mobile and fixed home residents. 1. Introduction not safe. Instead, the NWS recommends that mobile home residents abandon their homes immediately if Tornadoes are one of nature’s most violent storms they have access to a sturdy shelter (NWS 2018a). (NOAA 2010). When the National Weather Service Unfortunately, mobile home residents may not have (NWS) issues a tornado warning, they recommend access to sturdy structures like a neighbor’s home, a that people go to a basement, safe room, or interior school, or a community shelter. -
Climate Disasters in Michigan Tl/Dr
CLIMATE DISASTERS IN MICHIGAN With Trump gutting FEMA and fighting with state governments, what is in store for the rest of 2020 for Michigan? TL/DR: Trump has failed to prepare us for disasters caused by climate change. What does this mean for Michigan? • In Michigan, increases in precipitation due to climate change are driving extreme flooding costing Michiganders billions of dollars. o Due to projections that the lakes surrounding Michigan will remain inches above their average level through the end of 2020, and precipitation will remain heavier than average, it is expected that water levels will continue to overwhelm Michigan infrastructure that was built for different conditions. o From 2009 through 2019, Michigan experienced 3 flood events that caused a total of $12 billion in damages and resulted in 5 deaths. o This May, historic flooding overwhelmed Midland, Michigan, . Parts of lower Michigan received 7 inches of rain . Floodwaters caused two dams to fail . 10,000 residents in Midland County were forced to evacuate . A Dow Chemical superfund site is at risk of spilling toxic chemicals, though it’s too soon to assess the damage • In addition to flooding, Michiganders face severe winter storm events due to climate change: o Severe storms have been linked to climate change, as hotter air carries more moisture, leading to more frequent and more intense storms. o The National Weather Service predicts higher than average precipitation in Michigan this summer, and U Mich scientists predict climate change will increase the intensity and area affected by lake-effect snow. o Since 2009, Michigan has experienced 9 severe storm events, causing $15.4 billion in damages and resulted in 67 deaths • In Michigan, climate change is also spurring an increase in drought conditions: o Michigan is projected to experience higher than average temperatures through the end of 2020. -
What Is the Worst That Could Happen? Reexamining the 24–25 June 1967 Tornado Outbreak Over Western Europe
APRIL 2018 A N T O N E S C U E T A L . 323 What is the Worst That Could Happen? Reexamining the 24–25 June 1967 Tornado Outbreak over Western Europe BOGDAN ANTONESCU Centre for Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom, and European Severe Storms Laboratory, Wessling, Germany JONATHAN G. FAIRMAN JR. AND DAVID M. SCHULTZ Centre for Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom (Manuscript received 17 July 2017, in final form 6 December 2017) ABSTRACT On 24–25 June 1967 one of the most intense European tornado outbreaks produced extensive damage (approximately 960 houses damaged or destroyed) and resulted in 232 injuries and 15 fatalities in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The 24–25 June 1967 tornado outbreak shows that Europe is highly vulnerable to tornadoes. To better understand the impact of European tornadoes and how this impact changed over time, the question is raised, ‘‘What would happen if an outbreak similar to the 1967 one occurred 50 years later in 2017 over France, Belgium, and the Netherlands?’’ Transposing the seven tornado tracks from the June 1967 outbreak over the modern landscape would potentially result in 24 990 buildings being impacted, 255–2580 injuries, and 17–172 fatalities. To determine possible worst-case scenarios, the tornado tracks are moved in a systematic way around their observed positions and positioned over modern maps of buildings and population. The worst-case scenario estimates are 146 222 buildings impacted, 2550–25 440 injuries, and 170–1696 fatalities. -
2. 6 Public Warning Response Following Tornadoes in New Orleans, La, and Springfield, Mo: a Sociological Analysis
2. 6 PUBLIC WARNING RESPONSE FOLLOWING TORNADOES IN NEW ORLEANS, LA, AND SPRINGFIELD, MO: A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS William R. Donner*, Havidan Rodriguez*, and Walter Diaz** *Disaster Research Center (DRC), University of Delaware, Newark, DE **Center for Applied Social Research (CISA) University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez ABSTRACT 1 This study examines public response to tornado that a meteorological approach to public safety warnings through an application of the could be greatly augmented through the framework laid out by Mileti and colleagues incorporation of social science methods and (2000). A qualitative approach was adopted to data. For instance, paying greater attention to supplement our knowledge of public warning how cultural myths about tornado threats shape response with detailed descriptions of how risk communication could improve the individuals interpret and react to risk information. effectiveness of watches and warnings. Following tornado outbreaks, data were collected from individuals in regions surrounding 1. INTRODUCTION New Orleans, LA, and Springfield, MO, using in- depth interview guides. As each region is We possess few empirical records characterized by significant diversity, documenting how socio-cultural factors affect researchers developed a purposive sampling public response to tornado threats (Donner strategy to ensure the collection of 2006; Mitchem 2003; Balluz et al 2000; Aguirre representative data. Interviewees (n=40) were 1988; Legates and Biddle 1999, Schmidlin and asked about how they received, interpreted, and King 1998). Partly to address this problem, responded to warning information. Researchers qualitative data were collected using in-depth then used content analysis to analyze these interviews with respondents in New Orleans and data in order to evaluate and supplement Mileti's southwestern Mississippi following tornado model. -
United States April & May 2011 Severe Weather Outbreaks
Impact Forecasting United States April & May 2011 Severe Weather Outbreaks June 22, 2011 Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 April 3-5, 2011 3 April 8-11, 2011 5 April 14-16, 2011 8 April 19-21, 2011 13 April 22-28, 2011 15 May 9-13, 2011 26 May 21-27, 2011 28 May 28-June 1, 2011 36 Notable Severe Weather Facts: April 1 - June 1, 2011 39 Additional Commentary: Why so many tornado deaths? 41 Appendix A: Historical U.S. Tornado Statistics 43 Appendix B: Costliest U.S. Tornadoes Since 1950 44 Appendix C: Enhanced Fujita Scale 45 Appendix D: Severe Weather Terminology 46 Impact Forecasting | U.S. April & May 2011 Severe Weather Outbreaks Event Recap Report 1 Executive Summary An extremely active stretch of severe weather occurred across areas east of the Rocky Mountains during a period between early April and June 1. At least eight separate timeframes saw widespread severe weather activity – five of which were billion dollar (USD) outbreaks. Of the eight timeframes examined in this report, the two most notable stretches occurred between April 22-28 and May 21-27: The late-April stretch saw the largest tornado outbreak in world history occur (334 separate tornado touchdowns), which led to catastrophic damage throughout the Southeast and the Tennessee Valley. The city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama took a direct hit from a high-end EF-4 tornado that caused widespread devastation. At least three EF-5 tornadoes touched down during this outbreak. The late-May stretch was highlighted by an outbreak that spawned a massive EF-5 tornado that destroyed a large section of Joplin, Missouri. -
Tornado Basics
TORNADO BASICS NOAA/National Weather Service Tornado FAQ What is a tornado? According to the Glossary of Meteorology (AMS 2000), a tornado is "a violently rotating column of air, pendant from a cumuliform cloud or underneath a cumuliform cloud, and often (but not always) visible as a funnel cloud." Literally, in order for a vortex to be classified as a tornado, it must be in contact with the ground and the cloud base. Weather scientists haven't found it so simple in practice, however, to classify and define tornadoes. For example, the difference is unclear between an strong mesocyclone (parent thunderstorm circulation) on the ground, and a large, weak tornado. There is also disagreement as to whether separate touchdowns of the same funnel constitute separate tornadoes. It is well- known that a tornado may not have a visible funnel. Also, at what wind speed of the cloud-to-ground vortex does a tornado begin? How close must two or more different tornadic circulations become to qualify as a one multiple-vortex tornado, instead of separate tornadoes? There are no firm answers. BACK UP TO THE TOP How do tornadoes form? The classic answer -- "warm moist Gulf air meets cold Canadian air and dry air from the Rockies" -- is a gross oversimplification. Many thunderstorms form under those conditions (near warm fronts, cold fronts and drylines respectively), which never even come close to producing tornadoes. Even when the large-scale environment is extremely favorable for tornadic thunderstorms, as in an SPC "High Risk" outlook, not every thunderstorm spawns a tornado. The truth is that we don't fully understand. -
Tornado Risks and Hazards in the Southeastern United States
Tornado Risks and Hazards in the Southeastern United States TORNADO RECOVERY ADVISORY RA1, June 2011 Purpose and Intended Audience The purpose of this Tornado Recovery Advisory is to provide background on the tornado hazard in the Southeast. The general population, homeowners and renters, policy makers, local officials, builders, and building departments should understand that tornado occurrence in the Southeast is not a rare event. In fact, of the top 20 States in tornado frequency, 5 are in the Southeast. This advisory also identifies FEMA resources that can be used to help design and construct portions of almost any building type (including residences) to provide safe refuge from tornadoes, or to help minimize damage caused by these wind events. This Recovery Advisory Addresses: The National Weather Service uses the " Recent events Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) to categorize " Tornado occurrence outside “Tornado Alley”… tornado severity based on observed damage. how great is the risk? The scale ranges from EF0 to EF5. See http://www.spc.noaa.gov/efscale for further " Assessing your risk information on the EF Scale. " Can a building survive a tornado? Yes! EF Scale 3-Second Gust Speed (mph) " Weather radios EF0 65–85 Recent Events EF1 86–110 EF2 111–135 In the late afternoon of April 27, 2011, a large EF3 136–165 outbreak of tornadoes struck Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and portions of Georgia. The EF4 166–200 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration EF5 Over 200 (NOAA) estimated there were approximately 190 tornadoes that touched down between 8:00 a.m. EDT April 27 and 8:00 a.m. -
A Guide to F-Scale Damage Assessment
A Guide to F-Scale Damage Assessment U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Silver Spring, Maryland Cover Photo: Damage from the violent tornado that struck the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma metropolitan area on 3 May 1999 (Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] photograph by C. Doswell) NOTE: All images identified in this work as being copyrighted (with the copyright symbol “©”) are not to be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the expressed consent of the copyright holders. Federal Law provides copyright protection of these images. A Guide to F-Scale Damage Assessment April 2003 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Donald L. Evans, Secretary National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Administrator National Weather Service John J. Kelly, Jr., Assistant Administrator Preface Recent tornado events have highlighted the need for a definitive F-scale assessment guide to assist our field personnel in conducting reliable post-storm damage assessments and determine the magnitude of extreme wind events. This guide has been prepared as a contribution to our ongoing effort to improve our personnel’s training in post-storm damage assessment techniques. My gratitude is expressed to Dr. Charles A. Doswell III (President, Doswell Scientific Consulting) who served as the main author in preparing this document. Special thanks are also awarded to Dr. Greg Forbes (Severe Weather Expert, The Weather Channel), Tim Marshall (Engineer/ Meteorologist, Haag Engineering Co.), Bill Bunting (Meteorologist-In-Charge, NWS Dallas/Fort Worth, TX), Brian Smith (Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Omaha, NE), Don Burgess (Meteorologist, National Severe Storms Laboratory), and Stephan C.