NIST Report on Joplin Tornado

Technical Investigation of the May 22, 2011, Tornado in Joplin MO

The above link will take you to a 429 page VERY detailed DRAFT of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigation of the Joplin MO tornado.  In it you will find details on emergency communications, building performance (St. Johns, Walmart, Home Depot and more), designated safe areas, etc.  It's a long read with a ton of information.

Abstract:

This is the final report of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigation of the May 22, 2011, tornado in Joplin, Missouri, conducted under the National Construction Safety Team Act. This report describes the wind field of the tornado and how the wind pressures and windborne debris damaged and destroyed thousands of buildings; the emergency communications before and during the tornado and how the public responded; the influence of tornado hazards and public response and building and designated shelter area performance on survival and injury; and areas of current building and emergency communications codes, standards and practices that warrant revision. Also described in this report is the means by which NIST reached its conclusions. NIST collected large numbers of documents, photographs, videos, and building plans; developed a computer model of the wind field of the tornado as it crossed the City of Joplin; analyzed the performance of a range of building types for life safety and functionality; interviewed many survivors of the tornado, developed an evidence-based explanation for decisions made and actions taken by the public in response to the tornado; and analyzed the factors affecting life safety outcomes. The report outlines 47 findings related to the May 22, 2011, Joplin tornado and concludes with a list of 16 recommendations for action in areas of improved measurement and characterization of tornado hazards, new methods for tornado resistant design of buildings, enhanced guidance for community tornado sheltering, and improved and standardized emergency communications.

What It Is Like Getting Hit By The Outer Edge Of An EF-4 Tornado ***Adult Language***

*****WARNING:  ADULT LANGUAGE*****

This is from the Washington, IL tornado on 11/17/13.  This family survived an EF-4 tornado.  It appears they were on the outer edge of this 170-190 MPG winded beast.  Adult language, so watch at your own discretion.  Prayers go out to my family and friends in the Pekin/Washington IL area.  I grew up in Pekin, before moving away when I was 15 years old.

How A Tornado Can Hit One House And Miss Another

This image posted by The Chicago Tribune from the November 17th Washington, IL tornado shows the unfortunate results of a farm house taking a direct hit.  But what is incredible is the spiral patterns in the field.  You can see that there are portions of the field that didn't get hit with the swirling funnel.  It easily demonstrates how one home could still be standing and another could be leveled.