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2011-05-25 -Signs, Portents, and the Weather-

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Posted by lotp 2011-05-25 00:00|| || Front Page|| [8 views ] Top

#1 Not Chemtrails?!?!?! Noooooo. Please, say it isn't so....

The government conspiring to create tornadoes and spray poison on unsuspecting citizens just makes SO MUCH sense. [/sarc]

Posted by Scooter McGruder 2011-05-25 01:26|| 2011-05-25 01:26|| Front Page Top

#2 Two more interesting aspects of tornadoes:
(1) why people ignore warnings, delay seeking shelter, and basically set themselves up for disaster. Many stories from Joplin are of this nature.
(2) How to get word to people who are on the road or otherwise in situations where they can't hear warnings or sirens. It is still not possible to buy a car radio with a built-in weather alarm AFAICT. Reverse 911 might be useful here for those who have land lines.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2011-05-25 01:35|| 2011-05-25 01:35|| Front Page Top

#3 Just keep us out of the discussion, okay?

Posted by Halliburton: Devastating Tornado Division 2011-05-25 01:40|| 2011-05-25 01:40|| Front Page Top

#4 I'm glad I'm not in Devastating Tornado Division, I just drill for that evil oil of doom. Which was going all gangbusters til one pump went KABOOM and for some reason they won't let us drill without a backup pump. So I'll just be sitting here tonight, doing nothing and getting my evil oil/bloody money.

Darn. Getting paid to sit here and do nothing. What could be worse?

Posted by Silentbrick - Lost Drill Bit Division - Halliburton 2011-05-25 01:55|| 2011-05-25 01:55|| Front Page Top

#5 I skip all the middlemen and blame the sun. Or Q.

I had not heard of haarp or chemtrails causing sever weather. That is looney toons, a simplified explanation with fun conspiracy undertones to help explain what is, understandably, an quite incomprehensable amount of energy needed to build, create, and sustain one supercell, nevermind a string stretching 1000 miles. In one day. We are talking months of this activity. It is absurd to think that nuking a hurricane will stop it, the weather patterns which create this type of sever weather are at least as large.

Alerts. Yes, they are thinking up new ways to warn people, as they should. Expect someone to push the cell phone warning system like in NYC and what many responder departments across the US utilize. Two things concern me about this massive cell phone call. First, what is the capacity of the cellular system, locally especially, to be able to mass text tens of thousends of people, if not millions, in a relatively quick fashion (too soon, people will forget or think it missed them...too late, well). Second, comm towers have a way of getting knocked out of service during sever weather.

Land line system, much more reliable. Again, lines can get knocked out of comission. The other concern is a person must be right next to the phone.

The most reliable system is still radio, the built in weather alarm is a great idea. Also, the ability to overlap gps maps with sever weather patterns and warnings would be helpful to those who can afford such a system. Also, many phones and gadgets give internet access while driving and can give updates

But when it comes down to it, sirens, texts, singing the wizard of oz tornado riff while pointing at the twister with one hand and giving a wedgy with the other, some people will just not get it. They will grap their camera, drive into the dark clouds, think it doesn't apply to them.

And there is the honest mistakes - I was driving on the interstate in Spring, looking at the weather ahead. Had the radio on, knew there was bad weather about, warning for so and so county but I don't know what that is. Asked the wife to get the map and locate - when she did I realized that the shower I was driving in was part of a rain wrap, charted our options and gtfo...and I spot, just didn't look like much.

It ultimately comes down to the individual to be aware of the weather and not be careless.

Posted by swksvolFF 2011-05-25 11:16|| 2011-05-25 11:16|| Front Page Top

#6 Had additional thought, cell phone etc. warnings, would the local towers be responsible for broadcasting info to every receivable phone in the area, or would the phone have a tracking app and tie into a database which would warn user when sever weather or otherwise bad situation is in the area. Good idea, but must be choice not mandate as either way tracks a person's movement.

An issue to consider, but not dismiss, is that some people's cell phones get sketchy away from home, whether terrain or plan. People can become too reliant as in my phone didn't ring so I didn't know there was a problem. Another would be texting and driving.

AH9418, some people bless them are just not too bright, or too busy, or too caught up in themselves. Not saying that with Joplin, saying that is everywhere. One of the more dangerous aspects are the tourists, the untrained car of goofballs looking for a rush who ignore all traffic regulations and considerations and haul ass on roads generally unfamiliar with and sharing them with people who are trying to get away from danger. The professional spotters are, in general from my experience, a bit better as they have a plan on how to approach and the experience to know when and when not to take chances, and generally have assigned tasks for driver and equipment operator as well as up to date mapping.

I am all for exploring any means of warning. I am not surprised by people saying they didn't hear the sirens, likely on account of heavy wind,rain,hail and especially if in a vehicle. Sometimes a person does everything right but can be eaten by the bear in an EF3, nevermind the ultraviolent EF5s. An entire Kansas town was wiped out by an EF3 on account of the nature of the structures being unreinforced historical brick and morter. One weather man said something rather smart. He kept going over and over to take shelter and where, was being rather repetitive (that and I had to watch the poperah goodbye between reports) and aptly stated, "I know Kansans are familiar with this type of weather, but for all you all new to the area this is what you need to do and do now."

I believe Oklahoma passed a law recently requiring establishments such as trailor parks and apartments with insufficient protection to host storm bunkers. A town in my region recently built a basketball court and stands, workout center, etc. but built to withstand a tornado so doubling as an above ground storm bunker; some places have a water table and/or soil as such that a traditional basement is not feasable.

But just in case: H-DTD thanks for checking fire on Kansas City, trying to make it to a ballgame this summer ; )

Seriously though, even the hail associated with the cells is enough to ruin your day. Saw a deal where a cross-country team practiced anyways and got pelted. A well presented severe weather class is quite educational.

Posted by swksvolFF 2011-05-25 23:16|| 2011-05-25 23:16|| Front Page Top

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