ONU Expert: Professional meterologist and communication professor
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Mark Bishop
What is a microburst?
A microburst is a powerful downdraft from a severe storm. It generally covers an area of less than two miles and lasts for less than five minutes. They can be dangerous as wind gusts can reach 100 miles an hour or more.
They can be quite sudden and cause chaos very quickly. Compared to a tornado, tornadoes are rotating columns of air that reach the ground and can cause widespread damage.
One of the most famous tornadoes was the tri-state tornado of March 18, 1925. The tornado remained on the ground for 219 miles and cut a path through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. 695 people died and 2027 were injured. Estimated damages were $43 million dollars.
What is your advice on how cautious to be when in the tornado season and there seem to be warnings all the time? What should you do when there's a tornado and you're on the road in a car?
With video cameras in most homes, tornado sirens now usually bring out curious onlookers with hopes of getting their video on the local news.
When the tornado sirens go off, it means an actual tornado has been identified by a trained spotter.
Tornadoes can also be spotted on Doppler radar in a hook-shaped echo. At that time sirens will go off, the immediate areas can be potentially affected.
While it's a rush for some to try and see the tornado for themselves, it's essential to take precautions during those times and find safe shelter. Sirens are the quickest way to send the message to a broad area.
I think one of the best investments is a weather radio. You can pick one up for less than $50 and can hear updates from the national weather service as the severe conditions change specific to your local area.
Many TV stations also provide a service that will e-mail or page you when severe weather is in the area.
When you're traveling in a car, it can be very difficult to outrun a tornado as it races toward you at a very fast rate of speed.
Many of you have probably seen the video footage of the family who took refuge under a bridge.
It could actually be more dangerous to hide under a bridge as the wind speeds are increased as it transforms into a violent wind tunnel.
If you can’t pull over and run into a sturdy building, it's recommended you get out of your car and take refuge in a ditch or lowest point on the side of the road.