An Update on Tornado

Safety in Schools
Harold Brooks
National Severe Storms Laboratory

Rick Smith
NWS Norman Forecast Office
Historical Perspective
(Since Civil War)
Nationally, 13 (or 14) days with at least 7 deaths
2 days with at least 20

69 in 1925 Tri-State Tornado (9 schools)
33 at DeSoto, 17 and 9 at schools in Murphysboro

14 in LaPlata, MD in 1926

13 in Rye Cove, WV in 1929
Historical Perspective
(Oklahoma)
DATE LOCATION DEATHS NOTES
4 Jan 1917 Vireton
(Lake Eufaula)
16
Poorly constructed Indian mission school
19 Nov 1930 Bethany

6
26 Jan 1944 Granite

1
Evening basketball practice
12 Apr 1945 Muskogee

3
School for the Blind dormitory
20 May 2013 Moore

7
Plaza Towers Elementary
Annual Fatalities
HAZARD DIRECT DIRECT + INDIRECT
Tornado
1966-2013
0.8 0.8
High School Football
1966-2012
7.0 14.1
School Transportation
2001-2010
5.5

16.6
Oklahoma Tornadoes
Developed 3:59 PM
Warning issued 3:59 PM
Dismissal 3:40 PM
Buses left 3:50-3:55 PM
April 13, 2012
April 13, 2012
Alcott
Middle
Longfellow
Middle
Norman
High
Jackson
Elementary
Whittier
Middle
Jefferson
Elementary
Whittier Middle School
Pre-2005
BEFORE
AFTER
Norman Public Schools
Safe Schools 101
Initiative
TORNADO DAYS
What would be the trigger?
Moderate Risks High Risks
5/year .5/year
What would be the trigger?
May 20 2013
What would be the trigger?
May 20 2013
Tornado Watches PDS Tornado Watches
What would be the trigger?
4/year 1/year
Would children be
safer at home?
Plaza Towers Elementary
HOMES
EF4 55
EF5 5
Plaza Towers
Briarwood Elementary
HOMES
EF4 78
EF5 2
Whittier
Middle
School
Apartments
Mobile
Homes
Apartments
Using Weather Information
Three ways to get warning

Designated weather geek

Eliminate single point of failure

Consistent and reliable sources


Re-evaluate Refuge Areas
Use the best available refuge

Hallway may not be the best!

Consider smaller rooms

Get help from an expert!

Communicate the plan






Plans and Drills
Practice a lot!

Practice at different times

Be ready to be flexible

Get parents involved

Dont forget the buses!




Plan for the Big Day
District policies

Expedited check out procedures

Paper check out procedures

Sheltering parents and the public

Off-site reunification location






Harold Brooks
harold.brooks@noaa.gov

Rick Smith
richard.smith@noaa.gov