Where and How do Tornadoes Happen?

BY: JULIANNE COX

GEOGRAPHY 101-52296 SUMMER 2015

WARNING:Some images in this presentation are graphic and all not suitable for the faint of heart. No people shown, only damage. But be forewarned.

How are Tornadoes Formed?

Funnel Cloud- Funnel-shaped cloud extending down from a cumulonimbus cloud. Tornadoes form when these meet the ground (McKnight 182).

Tornado- A deep low pressure system surrounding a rapidly rotating cylinder of wind. The most destructive atmospheric disturbance in nature (McKnight 182).

Where do Tornadoes Happen?

“Tornado Alley”: Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa, and South Dakota are where tornadoes are most common (NOAA).

Tornadoes do veer from this path however, they tend to hit the states that are mainly flat landscapes.

Where is Tornado Alley on a map?

Moore, OK May 20th 2013 (EF-5)

Very costly, damaging tornado that cut a 17-mile path through the city.

24 deaths (Levs), more than 350 injuries (VOA)

Anomalies Joplin, Missouri, though outside of Tornado was hit by an E-F5

tornado on May 22, 2011 which cut a nearly mile (1.5 km) wide path of damage, damaging 75% of the city.

Joplin Tornado Statistics

Deadliest Tornado in the United States since 1947 with a death toll of 161 (Joplin Tornado)

Thousands were injured (Joplin Tornado)

Costliest Tornado in History(Joplin Tornado)

Effects on Human Life

1. Death

2. Property Damage

3. Loss of Homes and Commerce buildings

4. Loss of crops, livestock, and pets

5. Causalities

Problems Created by Tornadoes

1. Death and Injuries

2. Emotional and Physical Trauma

3. Loss of land and livelihood

4. Economic decline

5. Possible flooding from precipitation

6. Power failure

Solutions! Better Warning System

Put animals in safer shelters

Update building codes for the tornado-prone states to lessen property damage and injuries to humans

Revise disaster plans for tornado prone cities to enhance preparedness.

Works Cited Almasy, Steve Levs, Josh. Students, Teachers from Tornado Leveled School say goodbye". CNN. 24 May

2013. Web. Retrieved 16 July 2015. http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/23/us/oklahoma-tornado-main/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Hess, Darrrel. McKnight's Physical Geography: A Landscape Approach. 10th ed. Boston: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011. Print.

King, Martin "200 mph winds, 12 miles of devastation: What makes a tornado?" The Independent. The Independent News. 21 May 2013. Web. 8 July 2015. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/200-mph-winds-12-miles-of-devastation-what-makes-a-tornado-8624896.html

McKune, Greg “Joplin Tornado death toll revised down to 161” “Reuters Buisness and Financial News” 12 November 2011. Web. 16 July 2015. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/12/us-tornado-joplin-idUSTRE7AB0J820111112 .

National Centers for Environmental Information: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "Tornado Alley". ND. Web. 8 June 2015. <https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climate-information/extreme-events/us-tornado-climatology/tornado-alley>

Than, Ker " More Midwest Twisters: Why is Oklahoma Tornado Vexed?" National Geographic Online. 2 June 2013.Web. 8 July 2015 <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/05/130601-oklahoma-tornadoes-supercell-natural-disasters-science>

Thompson, Andrea and Climate Central "U.S Tornadoes Form in Swarms: The Total Number of days in the U.S. with a tornado is decreasing but the number per day is rising". Scientific American 16 October 2014. Web. 8 June 2015. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-tornadoes-form-in-swarms/>

Works Cited Cont.

National Geographic Channel “National Geographic- Witness Joplin Tornado (Documentary).” Online Video Clip. Youtube. 6 July 2014. Web. 15 July 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_oyBGrxfpg

Voice of America (VOA) "Death Toll Revised Lower in Oklahoma Tornado". 21 May 2013. Web. 16 July 2015. http://www.voanews.com/content/death-toll-revised-lower-in-oklahoma-tornado/1665174.html