Nature's Violent Disasters                     

What is a Tornado?

Tornadoes are rapid and violent columns of air extending from a thunderstorm. They are very strong and sometimes cause trees to uproot and turn harmless objects into deadly missiles. Some are even capable of causing damage onto well-built structures. The reason they can do this is because of the way that they are formed.

Tornado Formation

 Tornadoes form when a severe thunderstorm in warm, moist, unstable air along cold fronts. Other forms of tornadoes are waterspouts. Waterspouts aren’t as strong as  tornadoes that form on the Gulf Coast . The other form is a dust devil, which is like a waterspout, except that it is only strong enough to carry dust and other floating objects.  But, the steps of formation for tornadoes are easy to follow:

1. Before a thunderstorm develops, a difference in wind direction with increasing height creates an invisible, horizontally spinning effect in lower atmospheres.
   
   
2. Rising air in the thunderstorm updrafts tilt the rotating air column from left and right to up and down.
   
   
3. An area of rotation 2-6 miles wide extends through most of the storm.  Most have the strong and violent storms form in this area of strong rotation.

 Where tornadoes are commonly found and when

 When and where the conditions are right, tornadoes are able to occur, but they are most commonly found in the central plains of North America , east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Appalachians .  They happen mostly in the summer and spring; tornadoes come early in the south and later in the spring because spring comes later in the year as one moves north.  Tornadoes usually occur during the late afternoon and early evening.  They can also occur in other parts of the world, such as Australia , Europe , Africa , Asia , and South America .

Damage Of A Tornado

 In 1971, Professor Fujita and Dr. Allen Pearson invented the Fujita Scale, a scale that measures how much damage a tornado will cause on a scale from F0 to F6.  The most powerful tornadoes are F6, with wind speeds up to 379 miles per hours.

Here is the scale:

The Fujita Scale

Myths

There are many myths about tornadoes that people continue to believe!  Here are some of the myths I have collected:

1.     MYTH: Places near rivers, lakes and mountains are safe from tornadoes.

FACT: No place is safe during a tornado.  In the late 1980s, ran into Yellowstone national Park, leaving a path of destruction up and down a 10,000-foot mountain.

2.     MYTH: Low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to explode.

FACT:   Violent winds and flying debris cause most of the damage to buildings.

3.     MYTH: Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and the least damage.

FACT: Open windows cause strong and dangerous winds to enter the building.  Leave the windows alone and, instead, find a safe place to go!!

Safety Rules

Here are some plans you should read carefully, and tell your family and friends. So if you have the misfortune of coming in to contact with a tornado, you can put these in to practice and save your life.

Before

Conduct tornado drills each tornado season. Have disaster supplies on hand. Flashlight and extra batteries. Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries. First aid kit and manual Emergency food and water. Non-electric can opener. Essential medicines. Cash and credit cards. Sturdy shoes. Develop an emergency communication plan.

School

Stay away from windows. Go to the hall, and get on your knees. Put your head on the floor facing an interior wall. Fold your arms over the back of your head. Does your school have a plan? Find out! If they don't, demand one.

Homes or Buildings

Stay away from windows; go to a storm shelter, basement, or a low-lying area. These are the safest places possible. If not available, go to a bathtub with a mattress over you. Or, go to the middle of a house or building. Kneel on the floor. Put your head on the ground facing an interior wall. Fold your arms over the back of your head.