The Anniversary of the Joplin Tornado

By -
Photo by Jaime Green
On May 22, 2011, Joplin was struck by an EF-5 intensity starting at 5:41pm. Unlike most tornadoes in the central United States, this tornado was "rain-wrapped" and thus invisible. The photo above happened to capture the tornado during a split-second "power flash" when the tornado caused electrical wires to spark. A few moments later, the tornado moved over Jaime's location. Below is what it looked like on approach. It was completely invisible along its path. 
So, since the people of Joplin could not see the tornado, their only hope was the tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service (and the downstream warning system including sirens, radio and television). Unfortunately, the NWS's warnings were of very poor quality and the siren activation misled everyone. As a result, one hundred sixty-one people were killed in, by far, the worst single tornado death toll of the warning era (64 years). I tell the story in my book, When the Sirens Were Silent: How the Warning System Failed a Community.

Helping to prevent another Joplin has been my professional passion since I did the research for the book. The NWS has been in denial about what went wrong in that tornado and they continue to be in denial regarding their recent tornado warning failures (see: here, here, and here for the the major warning failures of just the past 16 days). 

I guess it is to be expected that federal agencies do not have a high level of accountability. FEMA has been subject to considerable criticism of its disaster responses and, while I have my suspicions, we have no way of knowing whether that criticism is fair. The same is true of the Red Cross and various state and local agencies over the past decade. So, we must have a National Disaster Review Board that would, hopefully, do for disaster safety and response what the NTSB has done for transportation. For more information, please go my original postings here and here. 

Otherwise, another Joplin -- with its unnecessarily large loss of life -- is inevitable. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The East Coast Severe Weather Threat is Over

By -
Image
Midnight: The East Coast Threat for Tornadoes and Severe  Thunderstorms Has Ended 3:50pm. Tornado watch for the Middle Atlantic Region. 2:30pm Tornadoes are also forecast in the South. 2:20pm. A couple of tornadoes, hail and wind gusts to 65 mph are possible with these storms. This includes NYC and Philadelphia.  1:05pm. The tornado risk has been extended northward into New York. The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes. Remember: if a tornado warning is issued, go to your basement and get under heavy furniture like a pool table. Of, if your basement is finished, get into the bathroom. Go ahead an put a couple of water bottles and, if appropriate, diapers in your shelter area. Wear shoes.  If you don't have a basement or safe room, go to the lowest floor and get into a bath or closet in the middle of your home. Children should be put in the bathtub.  I'll update later today. 
Read more

Today's Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Outlook - 9:30pm

By -
Image
After 65 mph winds went through Wichita, we have been without power for 35 minutes. So, I am going to have to end coverage for the night (using backup systems to write this). Scroll down for the forecast of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms for Sunday and Sunday night.  Please read down for the latest forecasts regarding this dangerous tornado and damaging wind situation! 5:40pm, a new "regular" tornado watch has been issued for north central Kansas.  Note that wind gusts to 80 mph are likely in this storm in addition to tornadoes and giant hail. Please make sure friends and relatives in the area are aware of the danger in the area outlined in red below plus the red area outlined at 2:50pm  In addition to "several strong tornadoes," hail to 4.8" in diameter is forecast along with wind gusts to 80 mph. Now is the time for persons living in mobile homes, manufactured homes and those with mobility issues should be making plans!!  Do not wait until a tornado warn
Read more

Updated Freezing Rain and Heavy Rain Forecast

By -
Image
Note: An Updated Forecast is Available HERE Freezing Rain The National Weather Service has now issued winter weather advisories, two warnings and a watch. It may be a bit too large but, when it comes to freezing rain and slick roads, caution is usually the better course of action.  Here's a color code: Deep purple is an ice storm warning; serious condition where power outages are possible. Pink is a winter storm warning for significant icing. Deep green is a winter storm watch. I don't know why this is still a watch. If I were on the forecast desk I would have a winter storm warning for icing.  Dark blue is a winter weather advisory, a lesser condition, for icing.  Here is a view of the entire watch/warning/advisory area. The small area of green in Illinois is for flooding and, in Nebraska, for snow.  Here is a forecast of freezing rain amounts; totals to 6am Tuesday.  Color codes: Yellow is 0.25 to 0.50 inches. Power outages may occur in this areas. Deep blue is 0.1 to .25 inc
Read more