Tornado Alley
Twister Facts That Might Surprise You
Tornado Alley is not as distinct an area as many people think. Knowing if you are in the tornado danger zone and being prepared will keep your family safe if there is a dangerous storm.
While it’s true that some areas of the United States are more likely to have a large tornado, large storms (as great as F4 and F5) have also been seen elsewhere in the country.
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Tornado Alley is usually defined as the areas that are most likely to have a tornado, and the areas most likely to have an F4 or F5 storm. These areas include: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Preparing for TwistersHowever, if you live in another state, you still may have a large damaging storm. Other states that have had damaging severe thunderstorms and tornadoes include: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia and even Massachusetts!
Tornado FactsIf a warning is issued for your area, you should seek shelter immediately—below ground, if possible. These storms have tremendous winds, estimated to be up to 300 miles per hour and they can travel quickly from one location to another.And a twister can last from a few minutes to an hour, usually around 15 minutes—which can be a very long time if you are close to it! After it reaches its maximum intensity, the funnel gets narrower and then tilts toward the horizon. The path of damage becomes smaller, and eventually the tornado takes on a rope shape (called the rope stage) and it finally dies away.
This spectacular tornado was in Manhattan in 1949.
Not all tornadoes occur in the Alley!So, whether you live in Tornado Alley or another part of the country, you do need to be aware of the dangers involved with these incredible storms. Stay aware of changes in the weather and prepare your family for this kind of emergency, in addition to other emergency preparedness measures.
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