Callie DeMizio
Fall 2024
Tornadoes and their devastating effects are part of existence as a resident of Oklahoma. The dark, ominous storm clouds that all too often invade the clear blue Oklahoma sky, can spawn twisters that have the power to raze entire towns to nothing but rubble and dust. However, this issue, although widely known, needs to be brought to the forefront of attention in Oklahoma. I will present evidence that will define, detail and describe tornadoes from the perspective of the past and present. As uncovered by much research, the way that these super storms were previously manifesting has drastically changed. Although normally confined to the spring, twisters have started to appear in November. My final remarks will consist of arguing for reform in the arena of tornado safety and preparedness.
Before diving headlong into this expansive topic, here are a few key voices of expertise in the decade’s long conversation about tornadoes. Most have heard the name of T. Theodore Fujita and his deep connection to the study of tornadoes. In fact. As James R. McDonald writes in his journal entitled: T. Theodore Fujita: His Contribution to Tornado Knowledge through Damage Documentation and the Fujita Scale, “Fujita established categories, each representing a range of wind speed” (McDonald 64). This finding is crucial to the modern understanding and exploration of tornadoes today. Fujita will forever be remembered because of his groundbreaking and accurate findings. Turning the page to the present day, these super storms still fear and fascinate the world. Here in Stillwater, there is research being conducted to improve our knowledge of these devastating forces of nature. Cutting edge drone technology is being used to fly into the heart of a tornado. The level of knowledge that these findings will be able to give meteorologists will be game changing in many ways. The first and foremost being the ability to alert citizens of exact details of any given storm. This will revolutionize the current knowledge about twisters and enable people to have more time to prepare before the inevitable disaster strikes. To end with a well-worn cliché, “knowledge is power,” and this rings ever true in a world where town eating twisters are a reality.
Before delving into this topic, it must first be accurately defined. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary a tornado is, “a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow path over the land” (Merriam-Webster). This definition does little to further enhance the knowledge that most already have about tornadoes. However, T. Theodore Fujita’s research has broadened the way the tornadoes are currently understood.
Tetsuya Fujita was a Japanese American meteorologist that is remembered today for his tornado classification scale, also known as the Fujita Scale. This scale has defined the way that scientists today conducted their studies on twisters and the way that they present them to the public. Fujita set out to find a clear way to accurately describe the true intensity that could be expected from any given tornado. The first scale had three measures of characterization which are listed as James R. McDonald writes, “Thus, the intensity and size of a tornado could be characterized by three numbers: F scale, Pearson pathlength scale, and Pearson path width scale. The concept is known as the FPP scales” (McDonald 65). Today, only the F classification endures and is divided up into five categories, beginning with F0 and climbing to F5, which is the most disastrous tornado known to man. McDonald expounds upon the meaning of the Fujita scale, “Fujita scale wind speeds are defined as fastest quarter- mile wind speeds. Fujita reasoned that the period of sustained wind required to damage a structure is likely to be inversely proportional to the wind speed, suggesting that damaging wind must be defined as the fastest “wind pathlength” rather than the average speed during a sustained period of time” (McDonald 65). For context, a F1 category consists of a Fujita scale wind speed of 40-72, whereas a F5 is comprised of a 261-318 wind speed. This measure of rating tornadoes was officially adopted into use by the National Weather Service in 1971.
Fujita’s work truly left a mark in the world of meteorology with his innovative scale that allows us to understand the differences between tornadoes, since no two are typically alike. Fujita is not the only one who contributed to the knowledge of twisters. The work of an Oklahoma State University professor, Dr. Herbert “Cyclone” Jones, was legendary in the realm of tornado detection. Jones is also widely recognized as one of the very first “storm chasers.”
Herbert Jones, Ph.D. and tornado chaser extraordinaire, was a native of New Mexico. He was recruited to come instruct in the engineering department at Oklahoma A&M, the former name of Oklahoma State. In the spring of 1947, a devastating tornado ransacked the town of Woodward, Oklahoma, killing around one hundred people. This event prompted Jones to action. His team began discovering ways to detect the storm as it was approaching, or before it even arrived. They concluded that either sferics of the lightening in storms or radar would be able to determine what kind of storm on its way. Nani Pybus details the specifics of his findings, “Jones’s research at OAMC had demonstrated that sferics detection could identify the separate storm centers that existed within storm fronts, or squall lines. Radar, however, still only could depict a squall line as a solid mass of approaching weather; it could not identify electrical activity or predict funnel development. Sferics returns, on the other hand, could pinpoint intense electrical activity and monitor these areas for tornado development.” (Pybus 15). After much experimentation, Jones was able to reasonably conclude that the use of sferics was accurate in not only detecting a storm, but could, “pinpoint intense electrical activity” (Pybus 15). This finding was crucial in understanding the intensity of a storm, which in turn could lead to the correct measures being taken to remain safe.
To that end, Jones knowledge of sferics was able to provide the first tornado warning system in Stillwater. An excerpt from Pybus elaborates on this,
The Blackwell tornado data confirmed for Jones that the powerful electromagnetic pulses detected in the thunderstorm, discharge phenomena he labeled the Tornado Pulse Generator, were distinctive and determinative criteria for defining a severe tornadic storm. For the purposes of advanced warning, Jones’s combined radar-sferics approach clearly provided the critical advantage of timely identification of a tornado threat. The Stillwater community was keenly interested in Jones’s work, benefiting from a uniquely enhanced tornado warning system. Oklahoma had established a Department of Civil Defense in 1951, and tornado sirens soon began to be installed in many communities. (Pybus 20)
Because of the efforts of Herbert Jones, the community of Stillwater was one of the safest at time. His groundbreaking work and commitment to unearthing as much as possible about the formation and detection of a twister using minimal technology is truly astounding. The warning system that he devised was the first step in making sure that the average citizen was aware when a tornado was coming their way. In Oklahoma, it is not simply a chance, but a very certain reality when a roaring funnel drops from the sky and devours everything in its immediate path, taking no notice of people or animals, but simply thundering across the plains, ravenous for more.
Fujita and Jones were two figures in broadening the knowledge of what a tornado is and how to better understand them, which in turn has led to increased awareness and the ability to remain safe when disaster is looming.
Speaking of disaster, a definitive guide on tornadoes would not be complete without acknowledging the intense amounts of destruction that they have caused around the United States, specifically in Oklahoma, which is included in the infamous “Tornado Alley.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides detailed statistics both monthly and annually for the state of Oklahoma, dating as far back as the 1950s. Over this span of time, Oklahoma has seen 4,258 tornadoes, with the highest prevalence being in the month of May, which contributes 1,776 out of the total (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Monthly Data in Oklahoma). In more recent history, the year 2024 has seen around 130 tornadoes with 56 occurring in May, giving some evidence for the fact that May is the worst month for storms (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Monthly Data in Oklahoma). Zooming into Payne County, which includes Stillwater, it has seen a relatively small number of twisters, with none being reported this year, and the last being and EF1 in May of 2022 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Payne County, Oklahoma Tornadoes). However, in the town of Sulphur, a two-hour drive from Stillwater, an EF3 tornado touched down this past April. Per the data recorded on the Fujita scale, it is a reasonable assumption that the Sulphur storm had winds ranging from 158-206 miles per hour, plenty to cause serious damage. Cappucci and Brasch of the Washington Post emphasize this, “It was among the most severe local tornado outbreaks in memory, with back-to-back-to-back tornadoes reminiscent of historic outbreaks like those in 1974 or 2011 — albeit on a smaller scale” (Cappucci and Brasch). Besides the downtown that was torn to shreds, a women lost her life and around 30 Oklahomans sustained injuries. Tornadoes truly can unleash disaster and taking the lives of innocent civilians. As detailed just looking at merely one example, the long-lasting impact that a single storm can have is staggering and heart wrenching at the same time. Action must be taken to better alert the public. Awareness and measures that encourage precaution are a necessity.
On one hand, Oklahoma State University, taking cues from its decades old “land grant” mission is making incredible strides in the awareness arena. Student engineers from the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Innovation are flying drones equipped with cutting edge technology to capture critical information about a twister. An Oklahoma State article, entitled, “Help from Above: OAIRE conducts groundbreaking research in numerous weather-related areas,” authored by Mack Burke details the results of each drone’s daring flight, “These renderings are then disseminated to other researchers and weather personnel to provide a more accurate and detailed assessment of the damage, path, longevity and other characteristics of a supposed tornado” (Burke). This enables the OAIRE team to better understand the intensity of the storm that threatens the immediate area, which will help them be able to give the public a more concrete idea of what is headed their way. Another feature of this study is determining what infrastructure will best remain standing against gale force winds. Dr. Maha Kenawy, an assistant professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department is quoted by Burke and elaborates on this, “This work will also help identify infrastructure vulnerabilities that can be addressed to increase the resilience of communities across the U.S. against intense tornado events” (Burke). This truly could change the game and decrease the losses that are directly associated with the occurrence of any tornado, but specifically from EF3 and beyond.
Oklahoma State is taking great lengths to improve and add to the knowledge we currently have about tornadoes. The cutting-edge information that is accessible through the drone flights is changing the game and, ultimately leading to lives saved. Burke sums these thoughts up with the words of Dr. Jamey Jacob, OAIRE executive, ““This really is an extension of our land-grant mission,” Jacob said. “To help our communities assess and better understand these weather phenomena will hopefully lead to developments that can mitigate the impact they have on our citizens. In the not-too-distant future, I foresee emergency management teams, utility companies and weather researchers alike implementing assessment systems like these to further enhance response times and impact research” (Burke). With OAIRE, OSU is not only fulfilling but exceeding its mandate of a land grant university.
On the other hand, what is are modern researchers doing to improve awareness and increasing safety measures? A study entitled, “An evaluation of tornado siren coverage in Stillwater, Oklahoma: Optimal GIS methods for a spatially explicit interpretation,” gives some clarification to the above question. Authors Adam J. Matthews and Emily A. Ellis set out to determine whether tornado sirens have any positive effect in alerting citizens of the incoming disaster. The placement of a tornado siren is dependent on the GIS, or Geographic Information System. Matthews and Ellis write, “The most common GIS approach utilizes overlay of: (i) siren coverage area (see Murray 2005, Murray 2010) that is made up of Euclidean distance buffers of siren locations (assumed maximum distance that siren sound can carry), and (ii) U.S. Census population data to reveal areas (with associated population figures) outside of audible siren coverage” (Matthews and Ellis 29-30). Thus, sirens are positioned based on the above criteria. Once positioned to ensure the maximum number possible hear the sirens, Stillwater claims that these sirens can emit sound up to 2300 feet, quite a considerable distance.
After all variables are considered, the question remains, how many people in Payne County are truly being reached? Matthews and Ellis conclude, “Overall, Stillwater’s siren network provides exceptional coverage for its residents. This is especially the case in the central portion of the city. Both GIS approaches identified that a minority (26% or less) of the population is not covered by the current infrastructure. Specifically, the second method provides a more spatially explicit solution to assess coverage, which estimated that an even smaller portion of the population (4–14%) is not covered” (Matthews and Ellis, Abstract). Despite any previous qualms, Stillwater is well equipped and does an above average job in making their citizens aware. However, even if people hear the siren, are they apt to seek shelter? A study entitled “Staying Safe in a Tornado: A Qualitative Inquiry into Public Knowledge, Access, and Response to Tornado Warnings,” delves in to this exact topic. Walters et al take a sample from three Tennessee city residents and their likelihood of responding to a warning. Their results were both shocking and scary. In their final remarks, Walters et al write, “Calling on the process of Mileti and Sorensen (1990), the most prominent divergent theme is that while the public hears and understands the warning, they may not believe or personalize the risk enough to seek shelter immediately upon receiving a warning, which is the recommendation of NWS. Instead, they seek out additional information and multiple confirmations” (Walters et al 79). Based upon the previous statements, a person will not seek refuge after hearing a siren until it has been confirmed by multiple sources. The travesty is that a person may lose his life simply because he did not take the blaring sirens serious enough. This could be because of the many false alarms, which has conditioned a person to just ignore and move on.
Another drastic change has also occurred since the tornado season is even more unpredictable than before. In Oklahoma, the typically expected appearance is in the spring months of April and May. However, now there has been a surge of storms in October and November. Meteorologists contribute this to climate change and global warming, although nothing can be fully determined given the still limited knowledge that is possessed concerning tornadoes. Kristi Eaton, a journalist from the University of Texas at Austin quotes Jason Furtado, an associate professor of metrology at the University of Oklahoma, “We are seeing warmer conditions, warmer winters. We have the atmosphere that is a lot more primed, it has a lot more juice, it has a lot more instability that can … really drive that type of severe weather.” (Eaton). With this knowledge in mind, tornado warning systems and areas of refuge must be more accessible to the public. The increased volatility of tornado season calls for safety to be even more prioritized.
The solutions to the issue are long and complex, and ultimately out of reach. One cannot persuade millions to find a basement when everyone has their own thoughts and opinions on the matter. However, with the erratic behavior of twisters, people must learn to put their feelings aside and take action, despite any personal inclinations. It is clear, though, that something must be done to increase the responsiveness of individuals and the availability of shelters. Although Stillwater appears to have adequate resources and alerting methods, it may not be enough to encourage people to jump out of their seats and rush to a safe space. With all the evidence above considered, is Stillwater taking care of its citizens to the best of their ability?
Tornadoes are a force of nature that makes its presence seen and felt. The intensity and devastation abilities of these storms have intrigued scientific minds for ages. From T. Fujita with his innovative scale to Herbert “Cyclone” Jones, Oklahoma State legend, the impact of twisters is evident. The destruction that a single tornado is capable of is breathtaking. Entire towns can be swept away by its fierce funnel. Since Oklahoma is a prime target for this ferocious force, it must be equipped to withstand damage and preserve life. Even though on the surface it seems like Stillwater is in a decent place in the realm of safety, this is not the case since most do not even respond to tornado sirens. A modern method must be devised to alert citizens with such language that compels them to find a basement as quick as possible. Why does this matter? This issue is of critical importance to residents of states that are part of “Tornado Alley,” most specifically, those that live in Stillwater. Defining, detailing, and describing this issue is key to raising awareness to ultimately prevent deaths inflicted by the twisters of Oklahoma.
Works Cited
Burke, Mack. “Help from above: OAIRE Conducts Groundbreaking Research in Numerous Weather-Related Areas – Oklahoma State University.” Oklahoma State University Headlines and Media, Oklahoma State University, 13 Sept. 2024, news.okstate.edu/magazines/state-magazine/articles/2024/fall/oaire_conducts_groundbreaking_research_in_numerous_weather-releated_areas.html.
Cappucci, Matthew, and Ben Brasch. “Tornadoes Kill at Least 4 People in Swath of Devastated Oklahoma – the Washington Post.” Washington Post, 2024. http://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/04/28/oklahoma-tornado-outbreak-sulphur-destruction/.
Eaton, Kristi. “Oklahoma’s Changing Tornado Alley.” University of Texas at Austin, Center for Media Engagement: Moody College of Communication, 13 June 2024, mediaengagement.org/blogs/oklahomas-changing-tornado-alley/.
Matthews, Adam J., and Emily A. Ellis. “An Evaluation of Tornado Siren Coverage in Stillwater, Oklahoma: Optimal GIS Methods for a Spatially Explicit Interpretation.” Applied Geography, vol. 68, Mar. 2016, pp. 28–36. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2016.01.007.
McDonald, James R. “T. Theodore Fujita: His Contribution to Tornado Knowledge through Damage Documentation and the Fujita Scale.” Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, vol. 82, no. 1, Jan. 2001, pp. 63–72. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsjsr&AN=edsjsr.26215509&site=eds-live&scope=site.
National Weather Service: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Monthly and Annual Tornado Data in Oklahoma, 2024, https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-ok-monthlyannual. Accessed 8 November 2024.
National Weather Service: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Payne County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present),https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-county-ok-payne.
Peters, David C. “Cyclone Jones: Discoverer of the Tornado Pulse Generator.” Oklahoma State University Edmon Low Library, 2007, library.okstate.edu/structural-utilities/timeline/cyclone-jones.pdf.
Pybus, Nani. “‘Cyclone’ Jones: Dr. Herbert L. Jones and the Origins of Tornado Research in Oklahoma.” The Gateway to Oklahoma History, Oklahoma Historical Society, 1 Dec. 2022, gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc2017386/.
Snow, John. “Tetsuya Fujita: Japanese American Meteorologist.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 15 Nov. 2024, http://www.britannica.com/biography/Tetsuya-Fujita.
Walters, J. E., et al. “Staying Safe in a Tornado: A Qualitative Inquiry into Public Knowledge, Access, and Response to Tornado Warnings.” Weather and Forecasting, vol. 35, no. 1, Feb. 2020, pp. 67-81–81. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-19-0090.1.
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