My First Essay

Tornadoes
It is a peaceful afternoon near your hometown one day. That air doesn’t feel right and there’s a strange amount of humidity lurking around. First could come hail or possibly violent winds! Other times, it is so peaceful they come without warning. Though tornadoes are truly fascinating, they also show their destructive power of nature!

We all know that tornadoes usually form during severe weather, but how exactly do they get the conditions to construct? Tornadoes are very complex and meteorologists, along with storm chasers, aren’t exactly sure how they form. The way we think they start is when cool dry air meets humid warm air. They spin around each other and push on each other and they form severe storms. Only one out of six super cell storms forms a tornadoes, so they are unlikely to happen a lot. That’s why tornado alley gets so many tornadoes because the air from south and north meet where the alley is!
(National Geographic Society)

Since tornadoes do occur, people always need a tornado emergency plan, so they don’t waste time! Everywhere in the world gets storms, so a family always needs a plan in case of a real emergency! People who are unprepared, waste time trying to think of a safe place to take cover. Time is very short and one quick act can save your life. Basements, storm cellars or even a low ditch to crouch in are perfect for tornado protection. Never try to outrun them, its highly unsafe due to their strange movements on the ground. They’re known to go in figure 8’s, clockwise, counter-clockwise or even stay in one spot. They’re so unpredictable that people always think they can outrun them, but it’s very risky and dangerous. No one is 100% safe from a tornado and they go through anything like water, mountains, fire, buildings and pretty much everything else! Always be prepared for the worst. (National Geographic Society)


We know that they’re dangerous and must always seek shelter, but how strong are these things!? Tornadoes can be very weak funnels from lightly damaging signs to monstrous wedges that bring down an entire city to its knees. An average of 70 people die per year due to tornadoes today, but it used to be much worse. Our warning systems have improved over the years and giving us more time to find shelter. Years ago, the warnings would siren and 1 minute later your home is gone in seconds. Nowadays you have maybe about 10 minutes to hide from a tornado. Some also confused warnings and watches and died that way as well. Warnings meant there is a tornado and to take shelter, but watches only meant the weather is in the right conditions to start a tornado, but there isn’t one. The strongest tornado ever recorded was the Tri-State twister which was very deadly! “It killed over 689 people,” says national geographic. (National Geographic Society) The twisters lifespan was over 3.5 hours! That’s the longest on record!!! It only killed so many, because no one saw it coming….

Nowadays, meteorologists have found much better ways to record tornadoes and warn others.
People today may have at least 10 minutes compared to much less times back then. You should have plenty of time to find a shelter, but don’t be lazy and not come up with a plan! Your plan should be ready, so when the funnel is coming, you know exactly where to be. When a tornado is recorded after the destruction it is rated on the Fujita Scale. F0-F5. F0s are weak funnels that can damage signs at the most damage. F5’s level entire cities within minutes. So we can predict their damage which helps people out a lot to prepare for their insurance. Your home will most likely be destroyed if the tornado is really close. (Currens)
We all know how magnificent nature’s wonders are, but sometimes we forget its truly deadly power. Tornadoes can be anywhere at any time in the world, so make sure you have a plan before they strike!
Bibliography

Currens, S. (n.d.). Tornado Videos.Net. Retrieved October 5, 2009, from http://www.tornadovideos.net/: http://www.tornadovideos.net/
National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Forces of Nature. Retrieved October 5, 2009, from http://www.nationalgeographic.com/: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/