Experts from all over the devastated area from National Weather Service employees, Emergency Managers, TV meteorologists, to private sector companies interviewed various victim's families and tornado survivors to determine how did they survive, and why some others did not.
"For the first time, we have heard the term 'unsurvivable storm,'" John "Rusty" Russell said, speaking specifically about the April 27th outbreak. However, he said for storms that hit Alabama, they might have been more survivable had more shelters been available. "A lot of the people who died did everything they were supposed to do, and still got killed because we don't have the shelter capacity," he said. "Some areas have no community shelters [at all]."
This particular survey is the first in a series of interviews and surveys aimed at saving lives by helping weather professionals provide better warnings and education, and helping the public better assess their risk, said Laura Myers, a social sciences research professor at Mississippi State University, who is helping conduct the study.
The reason this is so important is because this past year was one of the deadliest years on record for tornadoes. So far in 2011, the total deaths from tornadoes stands at 546, the fourth highest yearly count on record, and the highest since 1936. The difference between now and 1936 is the technology. There were no sirens, weather radios, televisions, or even a real warning system back then. The April 27th outbreak killed 313 people, 248 of which were in Alabama, followed by the tornado on May 22 in Joplin, Missouri killing 162.So why is it that we have such advanced technology, and this many people are still perishing? This is what the study is setting out to find.
"We know people don't do what we expect of them," Myers said. "But we also know that the more information people have about weather warnings, the more likely they are to take protective action."
Most of the people interviewed said they generally didn't rely on sirens, especially because they wanted more specific geographic information to go with their tornado warnings, not just a siren. Ninety-seven percent said that the "proximity/path of the storm" was the most important thing they look/listen for to determine whether they need to seek shelter or not. Some praised TV meteorologists who know the area and can cite specific roads and landmarks. Which is why the analysts think more than three-quarters of the group said they relied on television to follow the severe weather, but only until their power went out. Which is why TV cannot be the only outlet people get their information from. Seventy-seven percent said sirens sounded in their area, but only 24 percent said they rely on them. The most troubling thing that the results revealed was that 68 percent said they did not have access to a below ground or reinforced storm shelter.
"It disturbs me that two-thirds of the respondents don't have access to a below ground shelter," said meteorologist and moderator John Scala.
For years people have been focused on trying to improve technology to be able to help track and warn about tornadoes, but the one thing that has been overlooked is the human factor...how do people behave in these situations.
"We've done an awful lot on the warning side now let's see what we can do to improve decision making," Scala said. "I think there's a lot we can do to improve awareness, perception of risk, and education."
Once the surveys and interviews are complete the team hopes to be able to provide new ideas for how to keep people safe from tornadoes in the future.
Sources: National Weather Association, American Meteorological Society, & al.com
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