Many Tornadoes - Much Devastation

[Jimbeaux]

It is likely not news over the pond but approximately 90 tornadoes struck a four state area a couple of days ago killing 38 people and actually causing some small towns to "vanish". Just a thought for those folks and a reminder how powerful Mother Nature can be.
ETA: Sorry, I see it is in your news:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/05/us-tor...

[Aids]

It has to borne in mind constantly that the continental US in vast, and is prone to natural disasters and extremes of weather. That said, this is sad news indeed. RIP for the victims and my sincere best wishes to the surviviors!

[Jimbeaux]

Aids said:

It has to borne in mind constantly that the continental US in vast, and is prone to natural disasters and extremes of weather. That said, this is sad news indeed. RIP for the victims and my sincere best wishes to the surviviors!

True, tornadoes are a constant threat in certain areas. This area is known for massive ones that destroy anything in their path. The oddity here is that it happened in late winter as oppossed to the usual Spring and Summer. To see snow this morning covering the rubble of a couple of days ago is strange. After two record breaking cold Winters, we are seeing a record breaking warm one. The stream patterns shifted this year giving much of Europe and some of Asia unusual low temps.

Edited by Jimbeaux on Monday 5th March 14:31

[Aids]

Jimbeaux said:

True, tornadoes are a constant threat in certain areas. This area is known for massive ones that destroy anything in their path. The oddity here is that it happened in late winter as oppossed to the usual Spring and Summer. To see snow this morning covering the rubble of a couple of days ago is strange. After two record breaking cold Winters, we are seeing a record breaking warm one. The stream patterns sted this year giving much of Europe and some of Asia unusual low temps.

Agreed, an American aqaintance of mine from Philadelphia, said recently that they had no snow, which is very unususal for winter! All the same, very sad news!

[Jimbeaux]

Aids said:

Jimbeaux said:

True, tornadoes are a constant threat in certain areas. This area is known for massive ones that destroy anything in their path. The oddity here is that it happened in late winter as oppossed to the usual Spring and Summer. To see snow this morning covering the rubble of a couple of days ago is strange. After two record breaking cold Winters, we are seeing a record breaking warm one. The stream patterns sted this year giving much of Europe and some of Asia unusual low temps.

Agreed, an American aqaintance of mine from Philadelphia, said recently that they had no snow, which is very unususal for winter! All the same, very sad news!

The Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic had little occasion to cool down; hurricane development will be worrisome more than usual this year.

[Corsair7]

Jimbeaux said:

It is likely not news over the pond but approximately 90 tornadoes struck a four state area a couple of days ago killing 38 people and actually causing some small towns to "vanish". Just a thought for those folks and a reminder how powerful Mother Nature can be.
ETA: Sorry, I see it is in your news:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/05/us-tor...

As you've seen for yourself Jim, it was reported on our news, in fact I'd have liked to have seen more coverage. Tragic.

we're pretty damn lucky in this country, when someones carpets gets ruined by some 'flooding' of a few inches they talk about 'disaster'. The UK is such a benign country to live in, rarely have big weather issues, no earthquakes etc. Not even anything living in the woods that could eat you....


I was wondering if there are any other countries were you could live where you'd have such benign conditions....? Cant think of anywhere iff hand.....

UK disaster scenarios:

Earthquakes - no, ours are tiny
Volcanoes - no
Hurricanes - no - although we had some windy weather a fe years ago it didnt really qualify
Tornadoes - no (occasional small ones)
Biblical floods - rarely more than inconveniance
Wild fires - not really
Tsunami - we had one once, few hundred years ago
Famine - no
drought - not really, although we had a hoe pipe ban a few years ago
heatwave - nothing too uncomfortable
Snow - three inches every 20 years or so....
Hail storms - size of peas no larger


Where else could you live thats this safe?

[Hugo a Gogo]

why on earth do so many people live in mobile homes in these tornado states?

[carmonk]

Hugo a Gogo said:

why on earth do so many people live in mobile homes in these tornado states?

All homes are mobile when a tornado comes around. Nothing can stand a direct hit from a force 4 or 5 tornado, they're unbelievably powerful.

[smegmore]

Corsair7 said:

a hoe pipe ban

Hmmmm...



Sorry, couldn't resist, childish, I know.

[Changedmyname]

Hugo a Gogo said:

why on earth do so many people live in mobile homes in these tornado states?

Well we do all live in a throwaway society.

[Corsair7]

Hugo a Gogo said:

why on earth do so many people live in mobile homes in these tornado states?

Same reason that the US has so much poverty for such a rich country. 90% of the wealth owned by 10% of the people... (or some such equation).

[Hugo a Gogo]

carmonk said:

Hugo a Gogo said:

why on earth do so many people live in mobile homes in these tornado states?

All homes are mobile when a tornado comes around. Nothing can stand a direct hit from a force 4 or 5 tornado, they're unbelievably powerful.

surely not every one had a direct hit, if it went past your house, you'd be ok, if it went past your trailer, you're knackered

[davepoth]

Corsair7 said:

Tornadoes - no (occasional small ones)

As it turns out the UK has the second most tornadoes of any country in the world after the US, although the rate is a third of America's.

The pictures have been absolutely harrowing - particularly of that schoolbus tossed into a building like a toy.

[Corsair7]

davepoth said:

As it turns out the UK has the second most tornadoes of any country in the world after the US, although the rate is a third of America's.

The pictures have been absolutely harrowing - particularly of that schoolbus tossed into a building like a toy.

I dont think our tornadoes even register on their measurement scales though....

[Famous Graham]

Aids said:

Jimbeaux said:

True, tornadoes are a constant threat in certain areas. This area is known for massive ones that destroy anything in their path. The oddity here is that it happened in late winter as oppossed to the usual Spring and Summer. To see snow this morning covering the rubble of a couple of days ago is strange. After two record breaking cold Winters, we are seeing a record breaking warm one. The stream patterns sted this year giving much of Europe and some of Asia unusual low temps.

Agreed, an American aqaintance of mine from Philadelphia, said recently that they had no snow, which is very unususal for winter! All the same, very sad news!

Been a very mild winter in Boston.

[Eric Mc]

The UK has more tornadoes than any country in the world. But, as has been said, they are usually tiny and the worst that happens is some structural damage (chimneys and walls knocked over etc).

[soad]

That's horrible, everything's smashed to bits

[carmonk]

Most per sq mile, not most.

I saw a tornado about 15 years back. Big enough to chuck you over a hedge maybe - I guess about 400 ft high and 15ft at the base - but not exactly of apocalyptic proportions.

[Eric Mc]

carmonk said:

Most per sq mile, not most.

I saw a tornado about 15 years back. Big enough to chuck you over a hedge maybe - I guess about 400 ft high and 15ft at the base - but not exactly of apocalyptic proportions.

Perhaps.

It was quoted on QI so it must be right

[shoebag]

I live in the Mid-West just north of Chicago, Illinois in a wood house. I don`t want to live in a house made of wood but they are all wood here. Driving around and looking I would estimate 98% of homes are made of wood. When it is windy the house creaks and I can hear more outside noise as the walls are so thin. It does have a basement. When I go home to the UK and stay at my parents brick house it is bliss as it is so quiet and I cannot hear the traffic.