Lessons learned in the wake of Joplin tornado

By: Jeff Haniewich | Nelson County Times
Published: October 04, 2011

It has been about four months now since the single deadliest tornado in U.S. history (record-keeping began in 1950) hit Joplin, Missouri. It was rated an EF-5 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, the strongest tornado classification. It was a mile wide and traveled more than 20 miles on the ground, killing more than 160 people.

Recently, the National Weather Service completed its final report on this massive storm. In it are recommendations to help save more lives if and when another incredibly violent tornado occurs. It also makes a point that people need to be prepared and take swift action when a warning is issued.

Soon after the Joplin tragedy, a team was sent to southwest Missouri and according to the National Weather Service, “The team determined that a number of factors contributed to the high death toll. Through interviews with more than 100 Joplin residents, the team found that societal response to warnings is highly complex and involves a number of factors, such as risk perception, overall credibility of warnings and warning communications.”

The report includes a number of key recommendations:

  Improve warning communications to convey a sense of urgency for extreme events to compel people to take immediate action

  Collaborate with partners who communicate weather warnings to develop GPS-based warning communications, including text messaging, smart phone apps and mobile communications technologies, in addition to upgrading the Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radio

  Collaborate more to ensure that weather warning messages sent via television, radio, NOAA Weather Radio, and local warning systems such as sirens are consistent to reduce confusion and stress the seriousness of the threat

 Continue to increase community preparedness.

Our hope is always that another storm like this never happens again, anywhere. But reality tells you something like this will indeed occur again and we all need to be ready.

Haniewich is chief meteorologist for WSLS Channel 10. His column is published every Wednesday.