(UPDATE: storm chaser Tim Samaras passed away in the Oklahoma tornadoes this past weekend. Full story)
Last night, a series of tornadoes touched down in the Oklahoma City area, killing at least nine.
In the midst of prime tornado season, and natural disasters dominating the headlines every day, interest in this subject is as high as the wind speed of these powerful storms. In recent years, scientists have studied the correlations between global warming and weather-related natural disasters. Warmer air and sea temperatures may have the potential to cause stronger storms.
I had the opportunity to meet storm chaser Tim Samaras, a rock star among tornado researchers, who has been featured on both National Geographic and the Discovery Channel.
Tim Samaras studies tornadoes by putting himself in their paths and then deploying a custom-made data-collecting and camera filled probe. Thrilling audio and video footage provided by Samaras gives those who view his work an opportunity to step into the path of an oncoming tornado. I met Samaras at a media event.
“If there’s one myth I would like to dispel, it’s the idea that a powerful tornado couldn’t hit Chicago. There’s no reason it wouldn’t happen if the proper atmospheric and meteorological conditions came together,” Tim Samaras told me.
All those ideas about the tall buildings and close proximity to a large body of water holding off twisters are useless.
“There have been tornadoes in every state and they can occur year round; we’ve had a few in January recently,” Tim Samaras said.
Tornado Alley, an area spanning nine states (including two that border Illinois) in the center of the country is the most active tornado region in the world; 75% of the planet’s twisters touchdown in the region. The tornado is truly an All-American disaster. One of the worst tornadoes in modern history occurred in Greensburg, Kansas on May 4, 2007. The tornado reached estimated winds of 205 miles an hour, making it an EF5 Tornado, the strongest classification possible. (EF stands for “Enhanced Fujita” named after Ted Fujita, a famed University of Chicago storm researcher.)
Only ten lives were lost despite 95% of the town’s structures being destroyed. In the crisis of devastation, resilient citizens of Greensburg have discovered a new opportunity. Shortly after the tornado, city officials and citizens explored the possibilities of rebuilding their city according to the eco-friendly guidelines of sustainability and renewable energy efficiency. Anything related to tornadoes often references the Wizard of Oz, because this classic story is set in Kansas; the state smack dab in the heart of Tornado Alley. There has been a tornado warning almost daily this time of year in Oklahoma; hence the NBA team is named the Thunder.
An EF5 tornado struck suburban Moore, where a tornado killed 24 on May 20.
For Tim Samaras Homepage
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. (“Quasi-endorsed” by Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly) He’s also an author who also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
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