Over the past week or two, there have been over 100 confirmed tornadoes cutting through parts of the United States. As the weather is warming up and summer gets closer, these storms are becoming more likely and have begun appearing throughout the Midwest over the past few days. As these storms become more intense and frequent, it is important for Sioux Falls to be prepared for the possible event of experiencing this kind of severe weather.
Tornado severity is measured on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, also known as the EF scale. This scale bases tornadoes on the mph of their wind speeds; storms with speeds of 136-165 get labeled EF-3, and those with speeds of 166-200 mph EF-4. The scale ranges from EF-0 to EF-5, with higher numbers being the most severe storms.
On April 26, there were five confirmed E-3 scaled tornadoes throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. These tornadoes caused considerable amounts of destruction throughout the Omaha area. Along with these, there were numerous smaller tornadoes throughout the area and in other states throughout Tornado Valley. Oklahoma also experienced tornadoes over the past week or so with about 22 tornadoes twisting through the state. Unfortunately, throughout the country, these twisters resulted in five reported deaths. Thousands of people are now facing the aftermath of the destruction caused by these natural disasters; homes and buildings have been demolished and civilians are left to pick up the pieces.
During tornado season, it is important to be prepared for any kind of severe weather that could reach Sioux Falls. Although many high schoolers have spent plenty of time in closets and windowless rooms during tornado drills, it is still beneficial to remember the steps when it comes to being protected from a tornado. As learned in school, when a tornado strikes, it is best to find a room without any easily breakable windows; often, basements are the safest place possible otherwise finding a room as low as possible. Along with this, it can be smart to have some kind of emergency bag or equipment ready in case of any kind of disaster or severe weather. This could include things like a first aid kit, water, battery packs, radios and any other things that could be deemed useful in case of an emergency.
Overall, this past week of storms shows how important it is to be prepared for a tornado as it is always possible to happen in Sioux Falls. Rising temperatures mean summer is approaching, but also that storms are more likely. With the extreme number of tornadoes seen just in recent days and the amount of damage that came from them, make sure to keep an eye on the weather and always be ready for anything.
