Tornado Occurances Highest In 40 Years

Though I have written several posts here in the last few months about Tornado Preparedness and safety, and Warning Signs of an Approaching Tornado, I feel it is important to once again create another post about this topic.

Though some who follow this blog closely may be asking why, once you have some of the facts you will see how important this is.

For instance so far this year there have been 116 deaths related to tornadoes, the highest in almost twenty years. There have been 1520 reported tornadoes this year the highest number in almost 40 years. To put this in perspective, last year there was 1085 total tornadoes, in 2006 there were 1106 tornadoes, and in 2005 there were 1264 tornadoes.

Unfortunately tornadoes have been hitting more heavily populated areas this year as well.

In the last 24 hours tornadoes have touched down in Kansas, Iowa, and Minnesota. In Iowa, a tornado stuck and devastated a local Boy Scout camp where 4 young boys died and 48 were injured. Ironically the Boy Scouts had tornado safety training the day before.

In Kansas, two persons were killed and the tornado caused an estimated $20 million USD in damage. The university's Wind Erosion Laboratory was destroyed and a building the housed a nuclear reactor was also damaged. Though the reactor was left undamaged.

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Photo Credit: NOAA Photo Library, NOAA Central Library; OAR/ERL/National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL)

Deadliest Tornado Season In A Decade

This year has been one of the deadliest years on record for tornadoes in a decade the death toll has already reached 100 and it is still early in the season as well. Twenty two were killed this weekend alone.

In addition there were a few tornadoes that struck during February which is rare, but not unheard of, which kicked off the start of the season early. This was attributed to the mild winter and unseasonably warm weather across the country.

While I did make a number of posts earlier this year, I again think it is important to mention how important it is to be prepared and take appropriate action during severe weather, especially tornadoes.

Click the following link for more on Tornado Safety Here you can find a video on Severe Weather Safety and here is a small but excellent post on the Warning Signs of an approaching Tornado again with videos to watch.

One thing I will say here is please, please do not stay in your cars, and please seek shelter or a safe place if you are in an area where a tornado is approaching.

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Tornado Safety

Photo by Pingnews.com

I know that I touched upon this topic a few times already when we had some unusual and severe weather in the United States about a month ago.

However in recent days we have had a large number of tornado's that that struck and killed several people.

I would like to take the time to go over some facts about tornado's many people do not know the difference between a Tornado Warning and a Tornado Watch. Here is the difference:

Tornado Watch
Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

Tornado Warning
A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.

What to Do During a Tornado:

If you are in a Structure:

Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows.

If you are in a Vehicle or Mobile Home:

Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.

If you are outside with no shelter:

Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.

Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.

Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

Other Safety Resources:
FEMA Tornado Safety
NOAA Severe Weather Safety
Tornadoproject.com

Also see my other posts on this subject here and here where you can see some great videos and get the warning signs of an approaching tornado.

Severe Weather Safety Video by Chris Pirillo

I was going to post some information today to prepare people for severe weather.

I stumbled across a video by Chris Pirillo in which he speaks on video from a list put together by storm chasers.

So I because I am felling lazy I am going to just post this video today and add another list at a later date.

Enjoy, but take heed.