Experience Within a Tornado's Vortex
In the heart of the United States, where thunderstorms are a common occurrence, lies a natural phenomenon that both captivates and terrifies: the tornado. These powerful rotating columns of air, often visible as a funnel cloud, can cause destruction on a massive scale, yet there are instances where humans have survived within their path.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 800 tornadoes are reported in the U.S. each year. These twisters usually make their appearance between 3 and 9 p.m., adding an element of unpredictability to everyday life.
One such instance of human survival within a tornado was reported in 1928 by Will Keller, a farmer from Greensburg, Kansas. After checking his wheat crop following a hailstorm, Keller noticed an umbrella-shaped cloud and sensed a tornado might be forming. As three funnel clouds approached, he rushed his family to their storm cellar. Before climbing in, he paused, transfixed by the twister standing directly overhead.
Inside the swirling cloud, Keller reported everything as "still as death," with a strong gassy smell, trouble breathing, and a circular opening overhead that was roughly 50 to 100 feet in diameter and about a half a mile high. He also noticed constant bursts of lightning and smaller tornadoes forming and breaking free.
Another account comes from Roy Hall, a soybean farmer from McKinnet, Texas, in 1951. Despite sending his family inside during a storm, Hall stayed to watch. He claimed to have seen green sheets of rain just before the tornado formed and baseball-sized hail. After going inside, he heard a loud rumbling followed by complete silence, and the walls began to shake as his roof was ripped away and thrown into the woods nearby. Looking up, Hall described the tornado as a smooth wall of clouds with smaller twisters swirling around before breaking free.
Despite these remarkable stories, it is important to note that standing in the exact center (eye) of a tornado and surviving is highly unlikely due to the violent winds and debris present. The low pressure of a tornado does not cause buildings to explode — most damage comes from flying debris. Opening the windows of your home does not help the wind pass through — it actually causes more destruction.
The American Meteorological Society defines a tornado as a violent rotating column of air, in contact with the ground, often visible as a funnel cloud. These twisters can have wind speeds up to 300 mph, causing destruction such as uprooting trees, flattening houses, and sending cars flying through the air.
While the inside of a tornado may seem like a chaotic environment, there are instances where it can result in a calm environment, as documented by Will Keller and Roy Hall. However, it is crucial to remember that the center of a tornado is considered dangerous due to constant bursts of lightning and smaller tornadoes forming and breaking free.
In conclusion, while tornadoes can be destructive forces, understanding their nature and behaviour can help us better prepare and respond to these events. It is essential to remember that seeking shelter is the best course of action when a tornado approaches, and standing in its path is highly dangerous and unlikely to result in survival.
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