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Confirmed U.S. Tornado’s to date in 2020 as recorded by NOAA
“Tornado Alley” is shifting!
An area of the United States that historically has experienced a majority of the tornado’s each year it is know as “Tornado Alley”. Researchers believe in recent years however, the “Alley” has been shifting considerably. Do you live in a new Tornado zone?
Knowing Your Risk
Do you live in an area that is prone to tornadoes? If you do, are you prepared for them? Unfortunately, many individuals are not. Many experts claim that tornadoes are increasing in numbers, as well as intensity. That is why you should know your area and always be prepared for a tornado, just in case.
When it comes to preparing for a tornado, one of the many steps that you will want to take involves knowing your risks. If you do you live in an area that is prone to tornadoes, they should always be on your mind, especially during the spring, summer, and fall months.
With that in mind, it is also important to remember that tornadoes do not discriminate. Almost all of the states in the United States have fallen victim to tornadoes before. Even if the tornadoes that do strike your area are small or low in intensity, it is still best to be prepared.
Another one of the many steps you will want to take involves developing a plan with your family. This plan should include which room you will all retreat to in the event of a tornado warning or even a watch. Usually, a basement is the safest place to be. With that in mind, if your home does not have a basement, you will want to retreat to an interior room, namely one that does not have windows. Make sure that all of your family members know of this plan. It may also be a good idea to alert an offsite family member of your plan. In the event that your home is destroyed, rescue workers and your family should know where to find you if you cannot make it out your own.
Gathering all needed supplies is another one of the many ways that you can prepare for a tornado or at least the tornado season. If your above mentioned tornado preparation plan involves retreating to your basement, you will want to gather your supplies and store them there. If your plan involves retreating into an interior room, you will still want to gather all needed supplies, but store them nearby, such as in a nearby closet or cabinet. The supplies that you may want to have on hand include a little bit of water, non-perishable snacks, such as crackers, as well as a weather radio and working flashlights.
Deadly Tornado Rips through Nashville and other TN. Communities
Wide spread damage was inflicted by a series of Tornado’s that swept through Tennessee striking Nashville directly along with surrounding communities and left a swath of destruction through Tennessee during the early morning hours of March 3rd 2020.
The un-predicted March 3rd Tornado rolled through downtown Nashville at 12:42 AM like a freight train concealed in a vale or heavy rain, and continued it’s path of destruction for 60 miles long andstretching up to 800 yards widethrough a wake of destruction in it’s path.Powerful EF-3 and EF-4 tornadoes caused considerable damage across downtown Nashville and several counties and towns east of Nashville. This damage included many homes, businesses, vehicles, 90 planes and numerous buildings at the John C. Tune airport (JWN) in Nashville. These tornadoes caused 25 fatalities.
Tornadoes, also referred to as Twisters, can occur anywhere in the United States at any time of the year day or night. However, they are most common in the Central, Southern and Gulf Coast regions during spring and summer months between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM. They can form up small and produce damaging wind speeds below 100 mph traveling short distances or, grow to a mammoth size several miles across and produce devastating wind speeds above 300 mph leaving a wake of destruction in their path for dozens of miles.
Rule #1 Stay Informed!
As previously stated, it is advised that you have a weather radio or a weather alert app on your phone, especially if you live in a tornado zone. Weather radios have broadcast weather announcements and alerts, as does the NOAA mobile app, especially during severe weather. These alerts can literally be lifesaving for those in the middle of tornado activity. In addition to standard battery operated weather radios, you can also purchase those that include a dynamic crank and solar panel for charging, also with a built in clock, AM/FM radio, as well as a flashlight. Weather radios can be purchased at an affordable price, from most sports stores, department stores, as well as online.
The above mentioned preparation steps are just a few of the many that you may want to take, should you live in an area that is prone for tornadoes. As a reminder, it is important to always stay updated on what is happening outdoors. In many areas, especially the Midwest, a simple thunderstorm can spawn a tornado even when it is not expected or in the forecast, often times in a matter of minutes as was the case for Nashville. For that reason, you will always want to keep your eyes and ears open.