Why Did So Many (23) Die?

Back on April 3, 1974 a massive F 5 tornado roared through Xenia, Ohio leveling a whole neighborhood in a matter of seconds. 34 people lost their life that afternoon despite a lead time of over 20 minutes that a big one was coming.  Many hid in their basement, some died in their basement, but I wondered at the time, why didn't some not know it was coming?   Think back to that era, no cellphones, no computers, no weather apps just basic radio & TV to broadcast the warnings (very primitive).  I'm stunned not more perished due to the intensity of the storm.  Fast forward to this week, an F 4 tornado rumbled over Lee County in Alabama.   Some say the warning time was only 9 minutes, but some didn't get the warning.  Why not?   I've talked about this before, but with several potential severe weather threats coming (Sat. PM & next Tues-Wed), Rev. Bob must preach again.    In this modern age of technology, where 99% have a personal cellphone, everyone should/must have a weather APP that will AUTOMATICALLY alert you (based on location) to whatever severe weather threat you program into it.   Obviously a tornado warning alert is a must, but you can click on lightning, severe T-Storm, heavy rain etc.    No one should ever say they didn't know it was coming.   It's called personal responsibility.  I like the new FOX 8 Weather APP, but I'm biased.   Just get one into your cellphone today.   Even if the warning time is only 9 minutes, that could be enough to save your life and others around you.

If you were dressed for it, today was great with bright sunshine and very low humidity.  That's about to change as high pressure shifts to our north & east and the wind flow around it turns to the east & eventually to the south.   Warm air will surge northward ahead of another strong storm system that will blanket the northern plains with heavy snows and possibly some severe storms along a cold front arriving Saturday night into Sunday.   It appears to me that the main upper dynamics/energy will stay well to our north with this system, but the one coming for next week will see the main energy at a lower latitude placing us in greater danger.  The big news is the dramatic warm up coming that will last through most of next week.   We'll go from highs 55-60 to highs 75-80.   I've finished the rehab on my bird condo so it's time to get it back up for business.    Springtime is baby making time.  Stay tuned!