Tornadoes compiled by Jillian Kirchherr

What is a Tornado?
    TORNADO- from the Spanish words, "TRONADO" meaning thunderstorm and "tornar" meaning to turn .
    A tornado is the most violent atmospheric storm ... a powerful vortex which can spin faster than 300 m.p.h.
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http://lltqivnior.thinkquest.org/4232/whatisit.htm?!

                 Tornadoes have hit all 50 U.S. states. But this doesn't
                  happen every year. The 30-year average number of
                  tornadoes per year in Alaska, Rhode Island, and
                  Vermont is closer to zero than to one. In Oklahoma and Texas, the average jumps to 52 and 126, respectively, though the high
                  number in Texas is mainly due to the size of the Lone Star state.

What supplies to you need?( www.fema.gov/library/tornadof.htm)
                                        Flashlight and extra batteries
                                        Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
                                        First aid kit and manual
                                        Emergency food and water
                                        Nonelectric can opener
                                        Essential medicines
                                        Cash and credit cards
                                         Sturdy shoes
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?(www.usatoday.com/askjack/wfaqtsf.htm)

                  A tornado watch means conditions are right for tornadoes to form, you
 

                  should be alert. A tornado warning means a tornado has actually been
                  spotted. You should be ready to take shelter immediately. Click here for more
 

Some tornadoes of 2000(www.tornadoproject.com)
 July 25, 2000 early evening
A tornado struck Granite Falls, Minnesota at about 6:00 PM. As many as 5 funnel clouds were observed at one time, several touching down. One
cut a 12 block long track through the western part of the town, striking and damaging 300 homes and other buildings. Trucks were "whipped
around" at the UPS terminatl, and the grain elevator was damaged. At least a half dozen homes were completely destroyed. One elderly man was
killed and 10 others were injured in this town of 3000 people in southwestern Minnesota. The man was found by neighbors underneath his pickup truck.
(www.lltqivnior.thinkquest.org/4232/photo.htm)

March 28, 2000 6:30 CST
Two separate tornadoes struck Fort Worth during the evening rush hour this Tuesday. One moved northward, causing only minor damage on the
edge of the city. The second moved southeast into the downtown area, heavily damaging high-rise buildings and tossing cars. Some buildings had
most of their windows shattered. The wind, softball hail, and torrential rain accompanying the tornado damaged many interior areas that had
withstood the actual tornado winds. The Reata Restaurant at the top of the the 35 story Bank One building was destroyed. One side of the
Calvary Cathedral was heavily damaged, looking as if it had been in "a war zone" the pastor said. The downtown area had to be closed so rescue
teams could search for other victims and clean-up crews could removed the shards of glass still dangling from the window frames in the high rise
buildings. There were 2 people killed; a homeless man was killed in the collapse of a brick wall, and another person killed by flying debris. Two
other people were reported missing and presumed dead when their car was blown into a the Trinity River. Over 100 people were injured, many
from glass cuts, but only 3 critically. There were also tornadoes in the Arlington and Grand Prairie areas.

 Feb 13, 2000 11:09PM CST F3
Shortly after 11 PM, tornadoes passed through several counties in southwestern Georgia this night, killing 18 people and fatally injuring 1 more.
The counties of Mitchell, Grady, Colquitt, and Tift were struck. A 5 mile path of damage was cut in a residential area near Camilla. About 50-60
homes were destroyed, 90% of which were mobile homes. About 100 people were injured. Eleven of the deaths occurred at Camilla. 
 
 

Interested in Storm Chasing? ( www.stormchasing.com)( http://members.aol.com/tornafoto/p-c19.html)
Visit  Storm Chasing Adventure Tours, The Worlds Premiere Storm Chasing Tour Company. If  you're looking for adventure, you'll love this thrilling storm-chasing holiday in North America. 12 days (13 nights), you'll travel across a number of states in up to 3 vans, 1 of the vans is a highly-equipped van, As we are attempting to seek out and witness spectacular explosive supercell thunderstorms, stunning vivid lightning, large hail, massive wall clouds, and violent tornados. You'll start your trip in Oklahoma, a mid-western state famous for its severe weather conditions. Your first evening will be spent meet your fellow weather fans at an orientation dinner, viewing storm-chasing videos and discussing the ground rules that will make your tour a safer and more enjoyable experience.
 

(www.tahoetwisters.com)
 
 
 

Suggested Reading ( http://moberlymo.com/mlh/tornado.htm)
Relive the images that the citizens of Mobel, Missouri experienced when theirFourth of July
celebration were interrupted in The Roaring Force ... AFourth to Remember.This beautiful
 hard-back book captures the power and devestation of a tornado and shows the community spirit of a
 town as it rebuilds in the aftermath.