Deadly Alabama Tornado Pinpoints Vulnerabilities

When a mile-wide, 24-mile long EF4 tornado packing 170 mph winds tore into Lee County, Alabama March 3 there was little time to react or seek shelter. The “monster” storm that ravaged the area took 23 lives at last count, leaving in its wake a landscape of devastation unrecognizable to survivors. And, strong weather is forecast in the coming days.

The Southeast United States is prone to tornado risk, says Stephen Strader, a severe weather expert and assistant professor in Villanova’s Department of Geography and the Environment.

“Prior research has illustrated that tornado risk (i.e., the likelihood of a tornado occurring) in the Southeast is higher than anywhere in the U.S. during this time frame,” Strader noted. “In fact, one of the factors that makes the Southeast so prone to tornado fatalities is that the region has this “low tone” of tornado risk nearly year-round. We’ve seen deadly tornadoes in every month in most parts of the Southeast.”

He continued, “The Southeast is vulnerable to tornadoes because of the combination of elevated tornado risk and a greater development (i.e., more people, homes, and mobile homes) density. There also exists heightened socioeconomic and demographic vulnerability factors in the Southeast that leads to increased odds of tornado disasters/fatalities.”

“Other factors include but are not limited to: lower cloud bases that affect the ability to see if a tornado is approaching, greater vegetative cover that also affects the ability to see a tornado coming, faster storm speeds that results in less time to take shelter/flee from storms, more nighttime tornadoes that create settings where people are less prepared tornadoes are coming, etc.” he added.

What can be done to prepare residents in tornado prone areas to lessen death and destruction?

Strader offers the following advice: “Have a plan. Residents in areas prone to tornadoes should always have a plan to take shelter (or flee their mobile home for sturdier shelter). A NOAA weather radio can go a long way to waking you up in the middle of the night with a tornado headed your direction. If you have access to them, put on bike helmets when taking shelter (especially for smaller children), cover yourself to be protected from debris, and strap infants and babies into car seats (not in the car of course) when sheltering.” “Just being weather/situationally aware can save your life,” he concluded.

To speak with Strader, click on his headshot above, email mediaexperts@villanova.edu or call 610-519-5152.