Warnings Cited in Curbing Toll From Series of Tornadoes

[Omaha Steve]

Source: NY Times

By MANNY FERNANDEZ and MATT FLEGENHEIMER

WOODWARD, Okla. — A series of powerful thunderstorms spawned at least 122 reported tornadoes overnight Saturday across Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, causing a lot of damage across the region and killing five people in Oklahoma.

Still, the death toll was relatively light, given the number of tornado sightings, and officials credited an early warning system — which used terms like “extremely dangerous,” “mass devastation” and “catastrophic” — for making residents more aware of the potential danger.

More storms were possible on Sunday. A severe weather outlook continued for a large swath of the middle of the country as the system moved east, with a strong chance for more tornadoes in southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa and western Wisconsin.

Many of the reported tornadoes — 99 in total — were in Kansas, according to the National Weather Service, but by Sunday afternoon, no deaths had been confirmed in the state. Officials said the final count of tornadoes may change, because the same tornado could be reported more than once.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/16/us/violent-storms-cut-across-the-central-plains.html?_r=1&partner=EXCITE&ei=5043

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Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle, via Associated Press

Barbara Cline and her dog, Daisy, sat on the steps of her damaged home in Wichita on Sunday.

[Coyote_Bandit]

1. “extremely dangerous,” “mass devastation” and “catastrophic”

The weather forecasts here in Oklahoma warned of “mass devastation” for DAYS before the latest tornado outbreak. That is more than a bit unnerving - especially for the many residents here who are already anxious and afraid before that warning is added.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Nothing wrong with early storm warnings - but these descriptors need to be changed. While I can inform myself of weather conditions and forecasts there is nothing I can do to change the frickin weather. Should conditions warrant I can be prepared to take shelter in a hallway or closet in my home. But realistically there's not a whole hell of a lot more that I can do to protect myself.

I affirmatively resent feeling terrorized by the frickin weatherman whose obligation is to warn me that I face “mass devastation” - and who may do so for days in advance of developing storm systems.

[pocoloco]

2. Unbelievable

This was only the second time that such a warning was given and they were right the first time also.
We are fortunate to be able to take advantage of the advanced technology and plan appropriately.

That lives were saved is a bad thing?

Balance that with your "resentment"!

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. It is possible to inform without relying on fear inducing tactics

I've lived in tornado alley my entire life.

Many long-term residents here have been impacted by tornadic storms and are terrified of them. I have a firend who survived an F5 tornado a few years ago. As a result of that experience she has post traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety disorders are not uncommon in victims of natural disasters such as tornadoes. But you knew that, didn't you?

You seem to think it is acceptable to foster and encourage fear among a fairly significant portion of the population that already is fearful and anxious. I don't.

You seem to think that these fear inducing warnings somehow inform people of impending danger. Guess what? The people who don't make the effort to watch/listen/read the news don't hear the warnings. The people who are already fearful and/or vigilent and who try to be informed are bombarded with them.

As I said, I've got nothing against early warnings. That is a good thing. Instilling still more fear in people who are already afraid is not. These terms used to issue these verbal warnings need to be changed.

It is entirely impossible to inform people of the liklihood of a tornadic outbreak with multiple strong, long-lived tornadoes without resorting to tactics that are designed to instill fear. And instilling fear is exactly what occurs when people hear for days in advance that they face "mass destructiion."

[BadgerKid]

4. Given Joplin and Tuscaloosa last year

it's understandable the NWS wanted to help prevent unnecessary loss of life. Frankly, there are people who do just go about their daily lives oblivious to serious developments in the weather. Not everyone is as vigilant as you.

It is my belief hadn't the NWS gone to extreme wording this time, everyone would be criticizing them for NOT having warned people enough. IMO the NWS is always between a rock and a hard place -- they're blamed for warning too little or warning too much. No wonder there is recurrent sentiment to want to defund government-based weather.

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. Imagine

having tornado induced post traumatic stress disorder and hearing weather reports that forecast an "unsurvivable" tornadic outbreak. Or facing "mass catastrophe." That it entirely possible under the new storm earning system being tested by the NWS.

I know someone who developed PTSD after surviving an F5 tornado. Guess what? She doesn't listen to weather warnings that serve as triggers. She watches rader and online weather boards. But she doesn't listen to the frickin weathermen that are trying to scare everyone within earshot

http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/04/03/national-weather-service-tests-catastrophic-storm-warnings/

Imagine hearing the following tornado warning:
“THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO WITH COMPLETE DEVASTATION LIKELY. … SEEK SHELTER NOW! … MOBILE HOMES AND OUTBUILDINGS WILL OFFER NO SHELTER FROM THIS TORNADO — ABANDON THEM IMMEDIATELY.” Not everybody has ready access to a safe room or a tornado shelter. I can easily imagine that kind of warning sending some rural mobile home occupants out to seek shelter in their cars - and driving right into the path of the storm.

It does not matter how much the NWS talks or what language they use if someone is not paying attention to media in order to hear/read/see those warnings. It is impossible to make somebody pay attention to the media if they choose not to do so. Likewise, it is also impossible to insure that enyone who hears such warnings does in fact give head to them. The issue often isn't that early advance warning of the potential for tornadic storms was lacking - rather the issue is that people simply chose not to stay informed of such potential. No amount of fear inducing verbage is going to change that.

Early warnings are good. But don't frickin tell folks that the approaching storm is "unsurvivable" or that there will be "mass catastrophe." If it is anticipated to be unsirvivable then it doesn't matter what if anything one does to take shelter.