TORNADIC RESEARCH > Scientists on a Mission: Detailed Study of U.S. Southeast Tornadoes

July 11, 2011
It was one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history.
Now scientists are organizing a research program to better understand the tornadoes that blew through Alabama and other southeastern states on April 27, 2011.

Scientists at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are analyzing radar data from that day, then merging the information with detailed storm surveys and other data. They hope to learn more about how the storms formed, what made the storms so powerful and what might be done to make tornado warnings more effective.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds the project through a Rapid Response Research (RAPID) grant, which enables support for fast-response research tied to events such as tornadoes.

"Heavily forested rolling terrain and limited public awareness may present unique challenges to tornado detection in this area and to widespread dissemination of and effective public response to severe weather warnings," said Brad Smull, program director in NSF's Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, which funded the RAPID award.

In addition to studying the physics of the storms, the team will look at the psychology and sociology of storm warnings.  Read more

Tornado Sirens > Proved Beneficial in Rural Communities

[Sirens may not save property, but they sure as heck SAVE LIVES!]


On April 27, 2011, widespread damage was reported in Guntersville, AL, with trees down and some residents trapped in vehicles or homes. Trees and power lines blocked roadways as tornadoes ranging from EF-0 to EF-4 struck Marshall County. Five fatalities were recorded. According to Anita McBurnett, Marshall County’s Director of Emergency Management, the picture could have been grimmer in several rural communities had warning systems not been in place.  Read more

Tornadoes > Help Missourians recover from recent disasters - Official MO State website

Donations for Missouri Disaster Relief

Help Missourians recover from recent disasters

Missourians who would like to donate to assist with disaster relief efforts in Missouri, the rest of the nation and the world should consider that making financial contributions to a recognized disaster relief organization is the most effective donation. Monetary donations allow voluntary organizations to fund response and recovery efforts, obtain goods and services locally and provide direct financial assistance to disaster survivors to meet their own needs.

A list of major non-profits that operate regularly in Missouri can be found by visiting the National Donations Management Network Web site. At the site you can donate directly to your preferred charitable organization by clicking on the organization’s name. In addition to making financial donations, you may donate products and services, or lend equipment to relief efforts. For more details or to make a donation, click the link above or call (800) 427-4626.

Additional information about donating or volunteer opportunities is available from 211 Missouri, which can be reached by dialing 211, or (800) 427-4626. This information is also available at the 211 Missouri Web site.

Donate to help Missouri’s flood and tornado victims

Your contribution will support disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the floods and tornadoes throughout Missouri; providing shelter, food, emotional support, other supplies and assistance. 

Donate to Assist in Long Term Recovery Efforts

Often it takes a long time, months and even years, for communities and individuals to recover from a disaster. Your donation can make a difference.  Full article

Joplin MO > Three neighboring states offer aid to stricken Joplin, MO

Three neighboring states offer aid to stricken Joplin, MO

Tue, 2011-05-24 09:37 AM

By: Jacob Goodwin

Fans at Kansas Speedway will donate to help relief efforts in Joplin

Because it is located in the far southwest corner of the State of Missouri, the devastated City of Joplin is sitting only short distances from its neighboring states of Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, all of which have offered immediate assistance.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has activated the Missouri National Guard to respond in the Joplin area. “The State Emergency Management Agency is helping to coordinate the deployment of search and rescue teams, a disaster medical assistance team, communications vehicles, mobile command vehicles, heavy equipment and an incident support team,” announced the Missouri Department of Public Safety on May 23. Full article

Joplin, MO Tornado > Two MO National Guard units assisting in Joplin

[Missouri does not have a State Defense Force; I wonder if the CERT teams have helped out any...stay tuned...-SDFBlogger]
Two MO National Guard units assisting in Joplin

Tue, 2011-05-24 10:07 AM

By: Mark Rockwell

249th Engineer in Joplin

About 140 Missouri National Guard troops are helping local authorities in Joplin, MO, in a number of missions following the killer tornado that hit the city on May 22, according to the Department of Defense and the Missouri National Guard.

The Missouri National Guard soldiers are helping with search and rescue missions at the direction of local authorities, according to a statement by the Missouri National Guard on May 23. They are expected to conduct a number of missions in the upcoming days, including emergency route clearance, communications support, door-to-door safety visits and security, according to the DoD’s Armed Forces Press Service.

Among those responding are soldiers of the 117th Engineer Team, of Monett, and 294th Engineer Company, of Carthage and Anderson, MO. Additionally, a Joint Task Force Communications Kit out of Jefferson City, MO is en route to assist local authorities, according to the DoD.  Full article

Japan > Sends Tornado Relief Supplies to Alabama

Alabama recover from the deadly tornadoes. Japan representatives delivered 8,000 blankets and 150 huge pieces of plastic sheeting to Montgomery on Thursday. 

Attorney General Luther Strange and Alabama Development Office Director Seth Hammett accepted the donations on behalf of the state. 

Japanese officials said the donations are a symbol of their country's appreciation for the help the ... 

Read the full story at www.foxnews.com

Tornadoes > Lessons from the wreckage: How Alabama could help tornado preparedness?

Meteorologists are combing through the damage from last week's historic tornado outbreak in Alabama, hoping to find clues about how to save more lives in the future. -csmonitor.com

A reconstruction of the storm tracks for all the tornadoes that touched down April 27 in the Southeastern United States during the largest one-day tornado outbreak in US history. Bright reds, oranges and yellows show tracks of where rotation was strongest, as detected by NWS Doppler radars.  USDA Farm Service Agency / National Weather Service / NOAA

Tornadoes > South's 'super tornado' outbreak may be worst ever in US history

Makes one curious as to Gaia's intentions...
"Storm forensics experts have begun to put into historical perspective the massive twister outbreak that hit Alabama and six other Southern states. The Tuscaloosa twister alone may register as the most powerful long-track tornado in US history."-csmonitor.com

Brooke Carbo helps a friend pack up what's left of her Alberta City, Alabama, apartment which stood right in the path of the deadly storm which hit the southern region of the United States. A string of powerful tornadoes caused massive devastation, killing at least 350 people.

Newscom

Disaster Recovery > Government moves quickly to help storm victims in South

Good article on tornadoes that struck southern states, worst natural disaster to hit US since Hurricane Katrina, written by Homeland Security Newswire, 2 mins read -Read more

An all-too-common scene across the U.S. south // Source: findtarget.com

So far residents have been fairly pleased with the government's response to the worst natural disaster to hit the United States since Hurricane Katrina; after tornadoes touched down in seven states on Wednesday, Secretary Napolitano and other top federal officials immediately began contacting governors in the affected states; just hours after the storms had ravaged Alabama, Obama signed the declaration of disaster in Alabama and by Thursday he had done the same for Georgia and Mississippi; by Friday afternoon FEMA liaison officers had been deployed to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee; the storms have killed at least 350 people, injured more than 2,200, and left tens of thousands homeless in seven states

Video > Japan Earthquake 2011 Liquefaction Damage

Good article on liquefaction type earthquakes.  There are a few silver linings in the clouds above Japan...the Video is 9:27 and is visually powerful.

Photos > Tornado damage is MS

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mississippi-Emergency-Management-Agency/81599105731

Photos > Tornado damage in VA

Photo courtesy of VDEM

[55 photos]  http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaemergency/sets/72157626335044345/

Photos > Tornado damage in Deltaville, VA

[Deltaville, VA Tornado photos.  There are about 30 photos.]


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