Matt's Weather Rapport is written by Vermont-based journalist and weather reporter Matt Sutkoski. This blog has a nationwide and worldwide focus, with particular interest in Vermont and the Northeast. Look to Matt's Weather Rapport for expert analysis of weather events, news, the latest on climate change science, fun stuff, and wild photos and videos of big weather events. Also check for my frequent quick weather updates on Twitter, @mattalltradesb
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Why You Need To Heed Warnings: Mild Storm Escalates To Tornado In Seconds
As it starts, you see what looks like a fairly benign thunderstorm. It doesn't even look all that dark or ominous.
At about 20 seconds in, you hear tornado sirens in the distance start to moan. The woman keeps filming. The weather doesn't seem to be getting any worse. Until it does.
With shocking swiftness, what is apparently a tornado turns everything upside down in just a few seconds. Somehow, the woman manages to retreat inside as the tornado rips her house apart. Spoiler: She survives.
And just as suddenly, the tornado is gone, and everything has calmed down again. Except now everything is in ruins.
The woman was extremely lucky. There surely was a tornado warning in her area, which a weather radio or local media would have mentioned if she was listening for it. And while you shouldn't rely on tornado sirens, they do give you an alert.
As incredible as the video is, she should have taken shelter at the first notice of a tornado warning.
These kinds of tornado films have ended in tragedy. In 2015, a man filmed a large tornado from an upstairs bedroom in his Fairdale, Illinois home. He thought the tornado would go by a little ways fto his west, but it swerved right into it, severely injuring him, killing his wife and destroying his house.
The only bright side to the tragedy is tornado scientists regarded the film as an excellent twister research tool.
So don't film.
I'm saying this because it still looks like the middle of the nation is in for quite a tornado outbreak over several days, starting Friday. Heed those warnings!
Here's the video:
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