We are dynamic, information packed website devoted to tornado history with 550+ event summaries! Join our community on Patreon: https://xitter.cf/t.co/vajms3oTty
Joined April 2016
- Tweets24.2K
- Following736
- Followers10.4K
- Likes9.2K
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 25, 1925
In the early morning hours, a devastating F4 tornado traveled an estimated 65 miles through Crenshaw, Pike, Bullock, and Barbour Counties in Alabama, leaving 18 people dead and 60 injured.
Some of the greatest losses occurred in the Good Hope and Centenary communities north of Troy. Four children and their aunt died in one home, while another fatality was a woman reported to be 105 years old.
At Chapel Hill, a Baptist church and schoolhouse were destroyed. Near Vernledge, three tenant houses on the W.G. Hudgens farm were reduced to splinters. In Patsburg, a school building was carried into a river swamp.
tornadotalk.com/luverne-troy…
#alwx #VirtualTornadoMemorial
Tornado Talk retweeted
TORNADOES IN ALABAMA: A total of 472 people have died in Alabama from tornadoes since 1978, the year I started doing weather professionally here. This number is unacceptable to me, and it should be to you as well. Too many people have lost their life on my watch.
Over half of those deaths came on one day, April 27, 2011, when 252 people were killed by 62 tornadoes.
The new tornado season for 26-27 is now less than one week away. It runs in Alabama from November through May. I get the idea this season won't be as quiet as the last one. We need to work on preparation now.
Why do people die from tornadoes in Alabama when there are good warnings?
*The siren mentality. Some people honestly believe they will hear a siren in their home, business, or car before a tornado. This is nonsense. Sirens reach a limited number of people outdoors, and that is it. You might hear a siren in your home when they are tested on a sunny day, but what about the middle of the night in a raging storm while you are asleep? No way.
*A high number of false alarms. To this day we have a real problem with a very high false alarm ratio with some NWS offices. Kevin Laws (Science/Operations Officer) with the NWS Birmingham and I did a presentation on this huge problem at the National Weather Association annual meeting in Omaha this past week. I am sure we hurt someone's feelings, but we really don't care.
You don’t run your life or your professional performance based on your feelings, but on the commitments you make to the people you serve.
This is a major issue that is resulting in loss of life. I know the people of this state better than anyone, and they tell me they are tired of false alarms. Warning fatigue is real.
We can't control the nonsense people see on TikTok, but we can control what we produce in the professional weather enterprise.
Warning after warning after warning and nothing happens. It is crying wolf. NWS Birmingham has lowered their FAR (False Alarm Ratio) from around 83% in 2011 to near 30% today. We need this to happen nationally.
And, large traditional broadcast groups need to stop the "Code Red, First Alarm, Weather Emergency Days" for some fog or light rain.
*Short lead times and lack of shelter for those in mobile homes. Trailers offer good, affordable housing for families. But you can't stay there during a tornado. We have to provide longer lead times, and they need a place to go. And, they also need transportation. This is a complex social/physical science issue, but we all need to work together to improve this situation.
So, here is your homework.
*Every home and business needs a NOAA Weather Radio. This is the baseline for receiving warnings. If you won't have one, get one. Most people get the Midland WR-120 that is sold by major retailers.
Your fancy phone becomes a brick when cell service goes away during a tornado emergency. NOAA Weather Radio does not rely on cell service; it is independent RF network that is very, very reliable.
*Be sure WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts) are enabled on your phone, and get the Alabama Weather Network app for your phone, TV, and tablet.
*Know the safe place in your home (small room, lowest floor, away from windows, in the middle of the house), and in that place have helmets for everyone in the family. This includes adults.
*If you live in a mobile home, know the location of the nearest shelter, or 24/7 business that can serve as a shelter. Have transportation arranged on severe weather days.
The Alabama Weather Network is a game changer. We take care of the entire state of Alabama with aggressive but appropriate long form coverage anytime a tornado warning is issued. It doesn't matter where you live, what TV market you are in, or what NWS office issues your warnings. We've got you covered with people and resources far beyond any other source.
Let's work together to prevent loss of life this tornado season in Alabama. We can do it.
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 24, 1967
An F3 tornado traveled 15 miles through Colbert and Lawrence Counties in Alabama, damaging homes and farms from near Colbert Heights toward Town Creek.
Seven homes were demolished near the end of the tornado's path, and three people were injured.
One remarkable account involved Jesse McQuire, who was lifted from his house and dropped 200 feet away INTO another house! That house was also destroyed, yet a dozen eggs were reportedly found in its kitchen without a single one broken.
tornadotalk.com/colbert-and-…
#alwx
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 23, 1934
An F2 tornado traveled 14 miles through Nodaway County, Missouri, striking Maryville before moving northeast toward a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp.
In Maryville, approximately 60 homes were damaged or unroofed. The high school was struck shortly after football practice, but team members escaped injury by taking shelter in the gym.
The greatest tragedy occurred at the CCC camp, where a barracks was destroyed, killing five World War I veterans: Harvey Drake, Guy R. Allen, H.S. Newton, Ralph E. Hare, and Samuel F. Morrow.
Twenty people were injured along the tornado’s path.
tornadotalk.com/maryville-mo…
#mowx #VirtualTornadoMemorial
We're almost there! 💙
Thanks to your generosity, we've raised $1,040 of our $1,100 goal to provide student researchers with Ancestry and Newspapers.com access for Tornado Talk's Virtual Tornado Memorial!
Even better, current Ancestry specials may allow us to purchase THREE annual All Access Family Plans instead of the two originally planned! That's even more opportunities for students to help identify and document the people who have lost their lives in tornadoes.
We're just $60 away! Can you help us cross the finish line?
tornadotalk.com/support/
#VirtualTornadoMemorial
On This Day in Tornado History – October 22, 1972
An F3 tornado struck Harrison County, Texas, on a Sunday morning, causing significant damage to homes near Marshall.
The home of Harold Ratcliff was demolished, and two of his daughters sustained minor injuries. Remarkably, many dishes and glasses remained intact amid the rubble. A boat was thrown more than 200 yards, and a woman reported that her German shepherd was carried away inside its doghouse. The dog later returned home!
The tornado also overturned a tractor-trailer on I-20 carrying 39,000 pounds of meat, blocking the eastbound lanes for 12 hours. The driver escaped injury.
tornadotalk.com/harrison-cou…
#txwx
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 21, 2021
A rare October tornado outbreak produced 19 tornadoes across eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. The strongest was an EF2 that tracked 16 miles through Washington County, PA, with peak winds estimated at 135 mph.
In Hopewell Township, a municipal maintenance garage was flattened, and debris was carried up to half a mile away. The tornado also struck Swope's Berries & Bees farm, destroying a barn and 40 beehives. At least one million bees were lost.
The tornado caused at least $7 million in damage, making it the costliest tornado recorded in Washington County since 1950.
tornadotalk.com/hopewell-tow…
#pawx
Tornado Talk retweeted
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Arizona until 6 PM MST
ALT This graphic displays Tornado Watch watch number 688 plotted on a map. The watch is in effect until 6:00 PM MST. The watch includes parts of Arizona. The threats associated with this watch are a few tornadoes possible, scattered hail up to tennis ball size likely and scattered gusts up to 70 mph possible. There are 675,516 people in the watch along with 355 schools and 20 hospitals.
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 21, 2017
An EF1 tornado tracked 3.4 miles through portions of McClain and Cleveland Counties in Oklahoma, passing near the Riverwind Casino and Hotel south of Norman.
The Beach Boys were performing inside the casino when the tornado struck! Two rooftop air-conditioning units were displaced, allowing rain into the building. The casino and adjoining hotel also sustained roof and siding damage.
The tornado crossed I-35, damaging businesses and destroying sheds before moving into Cleveland County. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
tornadotalk.com/south-norman…
#okwx
We're building something important at Tornado Talk, and we'd love for you to be part of it.
The Virtual Tornado Memorial is our ongoing project to identify and document the more than 22,000 people who have lost their lives in U.S. tornadoes.
This work goes far beyond compiling a list of names. We're digging through historical newspapers, death records, cemetery records, and other sources to piece together the stories of individuals and families affected by these storms.
We're also working with students and volunteers, visiting archives, and connecting with communities across the country.
There's an enormous amount of research ahead, and there are many ways to help, from sharing historical information to supporting the research itself.
Learn more about what we're building and how you can get involved.
tornadotalk.com/virtual-torn…
Images from a research trip to the Shiloh National Military Park.
#VirtualTornadoMemorial
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 19, 1958
An F3 tornado traveled more than 20 miles through Palm Beach and Martin Counties in Florida, leaving extensive destruction near Pahokee.
According to contemporary newspaper reports, 50 dwelling units were destroyed in the Pahokee area. Two boxcars were overturned, their wheels ripped off, and eight planes at the Glades County Airport were completely destroyed.
One person lost his life. John Gray, 70, was at home with his wife when the tornado struck. He was thrown from their home and later found in a field.
A total of 24 people were injured.
Our summary includes historical newspaper accounts and the tornado's path.
tornadotalk.com/palm-beach-m…
#flwx #VirtualTornadoMemorial
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 18, 1990
An F3 tornado tore through Montgomery Township in Somerset County, New Jersey. Despite a path of only half a mile, three homes were flattened, 21 others were damaged, and eight people were injured.
One of those injured was 11-year-old Sara Byron, who was home alone watching television when the tornado struck. The winds lifted her from the house and threw her into the front yard. She suffered numerous cuts requiring 150 stitches, but doctors expected her to recover.
This was one of 16 tornadoes confirmed across portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast that day.
Read more about this tornado and Sara's remarkable survival story:
tornadotalk.com/montgomery-n…
#njwx
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 17, 2012
An EF3 tornado with estimated winds of 140 mph tracked through Scott and Newton Counties, Mississippi.
Three large steel electrical transmission towers were bent toward the ground near Salem Road. Elsewhere, a mobile home was blown into Conehatta Road, its roof and walls torn away. Remarkably, the two occupants escaped without significant injury.
One person was injured when a tree fell through a home. The tornado was the strongest of 11 confirmed that day.
Our summary includes damage photographs and the tornado's path.
tornadotalk.com/scott-and-ne…
#mswx
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 16, 1998
An F3 tornado traveled 26 miles through Trego and Ellis Counties in Kansas, striking the small community of Yocemento and passing west and north of Hays, where a high school football game was underway.
Ten homes were damaged or destroyed. One modular home was swept from its concrete slab, with debris carried half a mile. A steel I-beam was hurled several hundred yards into a grain elevator. On I-70, a tractor-trailer was overturned, injuring its driver.
One remarkable survival story came from Yocemento resident Edwin Dreher, who was barbecuing with friends when a neighbor called to warn him about the approaching tornado. Dreher and six friends hurried to the neighbor's home, where all eight people crowded into a bathroom for shelter.
When Dreher emerged, his mobile home was destroyed. A newspaper account described a couch still sitting with its cushions in place, but with no walls surrounding it. In the bedroom, only a neatly made bed remained.
There were no fatalities and one reported injury.
Read more about this tornado, including historical newspaper accounts and photographs:
tornadotalk.com/yocemento-ks…
#kswx
Tornado Talk retweeted
October 16, 1988:
A strong tornado struck north of Nappanee, Indiana. The F2 tracked for 6 miles, narrowly missing a high school at one point along the path. In total, 21 homes were damaged or destroyed and around half a million dollars in damage was produced.
#wxhistory
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 15, 1957
An F3 tornado tracked through portions of St. Landry and Pointe Coupee Parishes in Louisiana, destroying 15 homes and leaving 29 people injured.
The worst damage occurred in the Boscoville area, about four miles east of Opelousas. Cars were thrown and rolled from Highway 31, and several homes were destroyed. One person, Ms. Sidonia Carrier, lost her life from injuries sustained when the tornado destroyed her home in Boscoville.
Our full summary examines the conflicting records, includes a historical newspaper map, and compares the tornado paths.
tornadotalk.com/leonville-bo…
#lawx #VirtualTornadoMemorial
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 14, 1986
Four tornadoes were officially recorded in Virginia on this date, but a closer look at the historical records reveals some interesting discrepancies!
Two tornadoes were rated F3 and two were rated F2. However, when comparing Storm Data, SPC records, historical maps, and Thomas Grazulis' *Significant Tornadoes*, the ratings, paths, and even counties affected don't always agree.
One of the more remarkable accounts came from the Carson tornado. A massive oak tree, approximately 3.5 feet in diameter, was lifted and blown onto a home occupied by five people. Remarkably, no one inside was injured, although one person had to dig himself out of the rubble.
The Claremont tornado raises even more questions. Officially rated F3, a contemporary newspaper reported that the NWS found no evidence of a tornado!
Our detailed investigation examines all four events, compares the conflicting records, and explores what may have actually happened that morning.
tornadotalk.com/virginia-tor…
#vawx
On This Day in #Tornado #History – October 14, 1966
Just minutes after Belmond, Iowa's high school homecoming parade, a violent tornado tore through the community, demolishing a large section of town.
The tornado destroyed 109 homes and 75 businesses. Another 160 homes sustained major damage, and 27 farmsteads were struck. Six people lost their lives, and more than 150 were injured.
Officially rated F5, the Belmond tornado remains the only F5/EF5 tornado on record in the United States during October. However, tornado researcher Thomas Grazulis assigned it an F4 rating, questioning whether the damage supported F5 intensity.
One remarkable story from the aftermath involves 8-year-old Tammy Nelson, whose home was destroyed. After learning about her experience, a Girl Scout troop from Conrad, Iowa, visited her family and donated clothing, including clothes for her dolls.
Our full summary explores the tornado's destruction, historical accounts, and discrepancies in the official records.
tornadotalk.com/belmond-ia-f…
#iawx #VirtualTornadoMemorial
