Credit FEMA
# 6445
During a three day period (Apr 25th-28th) of 2011 a storm system of epic proportions spawned 351 confirmed tornadoes across five southern states, killing 338 persons in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
This was the the third deadliest tornado outbreak in U.S. History. More than a dozen of these twisters reached intensities of 4 or 5 on the Enhanced Fujita [EF] scale, which can produce near total devastation.
April 30, 2011
Before and after imagery depicting tornado damage in the vicinity of the intersection of 15th St. E. and McFarland Blvd. E. in southeast Tuscaloosa, AL. The before imagery is courtesy of Google, the after imagery was acquired from an altitude of 5,000 feet above ground level by the NOAA King Air April 29, 2011.
Despite an early and accurate forecast, and the issuance of timely tornado watches and warnings, the death toll from this super-swarm of tornadoes was woefully high.
Late last week the CDC released an analysis of these storm fatalities in their MMWR that stresses the importance of safe rooms. Due to the length of the report, I’ve only reproduced the synopsis and a few excerpts.
Follow the link to read:
Weekly
July 20, 2012 / 61(28);529-533 (Media Synopsis)
Individuals who work or live in a tornado-prone area should develop a tornado safety plan prior to severe weather.
During April 25–28, 2011, the third deadliest tornado disaster occurred in the southeastern U.S. despite modern advances in tornado forecasting, advanced warning times, and media coverage. CDC reviewed data from the American Red Cross, death certificates and the National Weather Service to describe the fatalities by demographic characteristics, shelter used, cause of death, and tornado severity in the affected states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. Of the 338 deaths, approximately one-third were older adults, almost half occurred in single-family homes, and a quarter happened in mobile homes. One-half of the 27 tornadoes were rated powerful (EF-4 or EF-5) and were responsible for almost 90 percent of the deaths. The use of safe rooms is crucial to preventing tornado-related deaths.
What is already known on this topic?
Known risk factors for death and injury from tornadoes are sheltering in mobile homes, proximity to the path of a tornado registering 4 or 5 on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, being an older adult (aged ≥65 years), lack of accessibility to a safe room (e.g., a basement or reinforced shelter), and night-time tornado impacts. The southeastern United States is considered particularly vulnerable to tornado fatalities because of the high concentration of mobile homes and frequency of EF-4 and EF-5 tornadoes. Traumatic injury, including head injury, is the leading cause of death during tornadoes.
What is added by this report?
Although extensive public health warnings were broadcast before the tornadoes touched down, this was the third-deadliest tornado disaster in U.S. history, with 338 confirmed fatalities. Head injury was the cause of death in nearly 22% of fatalities. Approximately 47% of the fatalities were in single-family homes. A composite of the multistate deadly tornado tracks was created from the National Weather Service's tornado survey points in a geographic information system (GIS); more than 90% of the geocoded addresses were spatially linked to a deadly tornado.
What are the implications for public health practice?
To prevent tornado-related fatalities, public health messaging needs to specify what constitutes a safe room and to increase awareness that these should be used during all tornadoes. Spatial analysis of health impacts of tornadoes using GIS provides a better understanding of risk factors and the underlying characteristics of the affected population for public health preparedness and response.
Thankfully, this year has provided a far less violent spring storm season in the United States, although during the first 6 months of the year we have seen 68 storm-related fatalities (cite).
While I preach preparedness, there is admittedly one potentially fatal gap in my preparedness plan. I have no `safe room’ in my current dwelling, and frankly, no good way to create one in what we euphemistically call a `manufactured home’.
When I lived in Missouri – which gets its fair share of tornadoes – having a full basement/storm shelter was both practical and a great comfort.
But here in Florida – where the water table is so high – basements are largely impractical. Luckily, Florida is less at risk for the really big tornadoes. We are, however, are a frequent target for hurricanes.
EF-3 or Greater Tornado Threat – Credit FEMA
Those living in tornado prone areas should seriously consider the possibility of creating one of these potentially life-saving additions to their home. To that end, FEMA has a good deal of advice on exactly how to construct a safe room – either above or below ground.
Having a safe room in your home can protect your family and save the lives of those you care about.
Find answers to your Questions about Building a Safe Room, including:
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What is the cost of installing a safe room?
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Can I install a safe room in an existing home?
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Can I build the safe room myself?
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Where is the best location for the safe room?
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Where can I find plans for safe room construction?
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And more....
Building a Safe Room in Your House
For more details about how you can build a safe room in your home, go to the Taking Shelter From the Storm: Building a Safe Room For Your Home or Small Business (FEMA 320) page before downloading it from the FEMA Library.
Residential Funding Opportunities
Grants, funding opportunities and various initiatives are available for individuals wishing to build a residential safe room. See the resources below for additional information:
Examples and Case Studies
Learn how others have benefited from safe rooms. See the following resources on the best practices case study web page.
Having a good (and well rehearsed) family emergency plan is essential for any emergency. Even with a safe room, family members could become separated (they may be sent to different hospitals or shelters) in the post-disaster chaos.
Some may be injured and unable to provide information about their families.
So it is important to set up a plan, including meeting places and out-of-state contacts, and individual wallet information cards - before you need it. To that end READY.GOV has some advice, and tools, to help you do just that.
Family Emergency Plan
(PDF - 3Mb)
Prepare yourself and your family for a disaster by making an emergency plan.
Download the Family Emergency Plan (FEP) (PDF - 3 Mb), print the pages and fill them in offline.
Your emergency planning should also address the care of pets, aiding family members with access and functional needs and safely shutting off utilities.
You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Read more about school and workplace plans.
Once you’ve collected this important information, gather your family members and discuss the information to put in the plan. Practice your plan at least twice a year and update it according to any issues that arise.
Together with adequate emergency supplies, a solid first aid kit, and an emergency battery operated NWS Weather Radio, these steps will go a long ways to protecting you, and your family, from a wide variety of potential disasters.
For more on all of this, a partial list of some of my preparedness blogs include:
But the time to make these preps is now, before the storm clouds gather.
