Rick Smith,
the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Center in
Norman, Oklahoma, says that it’s not that there are more tornadoes, but that
there are more people to see them and record them.
“There’s a perception that
tornadoes are hitting more populated areas, but in reality populated areas are
growing” Smith said.
According
to NOAA, tornadoes kill up to 70 people per year and up to 1, 500
injuries. Oklahoma is situated right in
tornado alley, along with Texas, Kansas and Nebraska, and has the highest risk
of tornadoes in the spring and summer seasons.
The warm and humid air from the Gulf of Mexico, along with the dry air
from the desert region, tends to meet to form tornadoes right in our area.
In May of
1999, an EF5 torando was recorded in Moore, Oklahoma, killing 36 and injuring
over 500, as it stretched one mile across and destroyed homes and buildings for
38 miles. Norman experienced it’s
largest recorded tornadoes in 2010, when an outbreak stretched across
Norman. Two EF4 tornadoes were recorded,
killing 3 and inuring more than 80.
Patricia Keithley, was caught right in the middle of that tornado, which
forced drastic changes upon her and her family.
“It lifted up the roof of our house
and out cracks everywhere. In the
foundation, in the wood; so after our seventh repair company, we were told we
had to move out of our house, so that it could be torn down and rebuilt”
Keithley said.
Smith says that tornadoes like this, while not very common,
can happen anytime and anywhere.
“There’s
nothing special about Moore, that puts it right in the path of tornadoes, even
though it’s seen many tornadoes in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Norman is just as likely to be hit by a
tornado of that size and destruction.”
Norman was
also hit less than one month ago, when an EF1 tornado damaged hundreds of homes
and business, including Keithley’s office at Coldwell Banker Real Estate.
“Now we
have this one to deal with, and of course, it hit my side of the office. We have to replace 4 windows and all the
carpet and try to restructure” says Keithley.
So while
tornado numbers are not increasing, the number of people being affected by
tornadoes is. According to the 2010 U.S.
Census, the Norman population has grown by 15.9% since 2000, an increase of
more than 15,000 people.
Experts say
to always be weather aware when there’s severe weather in the spring and summer
months of Oklahoma, and to be ready for a tornado if it comes. You can find more information on tornadoes
and tornado safety at noaa.gov.
Rick Smith and Pat Keithley give their takes on tornadoes in Norman
Rick Smith and Pat Keithley give their takes on tornadoes in Norman
VIDEO: Tim O'Donnell, Runs: 2:56
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