Greensburg Tornado Data From May 4, 2007

Researchers from the University of Oklahoma have been studying the data from the May 4, 2007 Greensburg KS tornado. The research is expected to go on for another two years according to KAKE TV.

Preliminary results have been released, and the data and images are very impressive. Mobile Doppler on Wheels (DOW) read wind sheer inside the storm reaching 250-300 miles per hour. That's horrific.

Thanks to Tyler at TornadoNerds.com for the heads up.

The Tornado Turtle

Last year, an email went around the local spotter group poking fun at the Tornado Turtle. It was self described as your "family's personal protection". Their web site is gone, but you can view a cached version of it here. I wonder why their business isn't booming?






One of our local veteran spotters (N0XJJ) came up with a list of why this kind of protection is so great.

1. 1)"If you can see it, it's too late!" Why not say, "if you see it, who is your next of kin to contact to pick you up in a metal casket?" NOTE: People in this container are ready for burial.
2. A metal container that can conduct electricty as furious lightning occurs during a tornadic storm. Hmmmm, a good Shake-n-Bake commercial comes to mind.
3. Only 2-3 ft high in the center, not too much room there to swim should it be place in a low area where rain could possibly flood the container, which will make it even more conducive to lightning. Now we're cooking with steam, that always makes the meat fall off the bones real easy, medical exaiminers would love picking you out of this sardine can.
4. I don't think you would survive having a large tree fall onto the Tornado Turtle, and if a tree were to fall on top of this structure, who's to say the the door would open for you, not to mention flying debris that could penetrate the sides.
5. If the ground anchors don't hold, the FAA frowns upon not having the proper makings on your vessel during the flight. Happy landings in the next county over.
   

All in all, I'd rather take my chances with a good concrete structure above ground. But, the Torndao Turtle would make a good smoker for a cookout in the back yard for pork, chicken, beef, or members of the family. I think they're selling this product for the wrong purpose.