The Pros And Cons Of Tornadoes

Tornadoes may not be the first hazard that is thought of when you think of Eastern North Carolina, but they do happen here fairly often. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration defines a tornado as “a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground.” (NOAA) Tornadoes can catch people off guard and lead to severe injuries or death. Tornadoes can range from mild to extremely violent. They occur in many parts of the world and the United States. Almost any adult is aware of what and where Tornado Alley is. For those that are not aware, it is an area of the central United States that has a very high amount of tornadoes that occur each year. This area runs from the most northern state to the most southern state and is several states wide. It is estimated that roughly 1,200 tornadoes occur each year that are documented. They may occur at any time of the day or night. Spring and summer see the most tornadoes but they may happen in other seasons also.

It is also important for emergency managers to educate their community on the difference between the two. A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to occur. It also means to be on the lookout for severe weather and keep close to weather information sources. But a tornado warning means that a tornado has been indicated by radar or seen by spotters in the area of the warning. It also means that there is a serious threat to people’s lives and property in the affected area. Lastly, it means that you should stay inside a safe place or seek shelter and follow tornado safety guidelines. Wind speeds in a tornado can range from 40 mph to 320