Sending well wishes and prayers to the families of those devastated by the tornadoes on April 2nd.
April is the start of tornado season. On average, there are 1,240 reported tornadoes in the US. 53% of them will occur in April. They kill about 104 people and injure thousands every year. Each one can cause up to 2.5 million dollars in property damage. A tornado by definition is a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. Those hit the most by tornadoes are those who live in a special region of the US called “Tornado Alley”. States located here are Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. All states, except Alaska, have reported tornado sightings, so it’s a good idea to use this Tornado Awareness Month to prepare for just such an occasion.
It’s the EXTREME!
Many of our first experiences with tornadoes occurred during the 1996 disaster epic classic Twister. It is also referred to as the storm chaser romance film. The film was so good that a sequel, Twisters, has begun production with a cast of fresh faces. It is set to be released in September 2024. Though many people debate about the accuracy of the film, it is based on the actual research done by those at the NOAA’s Severe Storm Lab during the 70s and 80s. Unfortunately, their version of TOTO was never successful and was retired in 1987. The “Dorothy Project” made a comeback in 2003, when it was successful in South Dakota.
Tornado Emergency Kit
Tornadoes can develop in minutes with little to no warning. So, it’s a good idea to keep a tornado-themed emergency kit in the place where you’ll be seeking shelter at. Besides the basics (food, water, etc.) things that should be included are:
- NOAA Radio (Tornadoes often travel in clusters)
- Whistle (To call for help in case you get trapped)
- Manual tools and tarps (for the clean-up phase)
- Respirator mask (To protect your lungs from airborne debris)
- Hand-crank flashlights and lanterns (Poles that are used to transport electricity will be gone)
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale
The Original Fujita Scale was invented in 1971. It was updated (enhanced) in 2007 to reflect the changes in the weather. The EF Scale is used to assign a tornado a rating based on wind speed and the damages it causes. A tornado isn’t assigned a number until after it is gone because of this measuring system. Here is what the EF scale looks like:
Seeking Shelter
If you spot a funnel cloud, don’t wait for it to touch down. Seek shelter immediately! The safest place in the home is in the basement. Make sure you stand in a spot where nothing heavy is overhead. If you don’t have a basement, pick a room in the center of your home on the lowest floor like a bathroom or closet. If you live in a mobile home, don’t stay put. Seek shelter in a nearby building or storm bunker. If you’re driving, pull over and abandon the vehicle. Lie flat in a nearby ditch, ravine, or culvert. Shield your head with your arms. Where ever you go avoid windows! Opening them puts you at risk of injury and can create a wind tunnel, blowing off your roof.
The Aftermath
Once the storm has cleared, proceed out of your shelter with caution. Animals displaced by the storm will be scared and confused, ready to attack anybody who comes near them. Let the professionals repair down or broken electric/utility lines. While cleaning up, wear appropriate clothing, work gloves, and face covering to protect yourself from nails, splinters, and dust. Depending on the severity of the storm, it may take outside help days to reach you. Overall, it can take months, and sometimes years, to rebuild after a tornado. In some cases, like Glazier, TX, the whole town could be declared a lost cause and abandoned. This phenomenon is known as Tornado Ghost Town.
About the Creator
M.L. Lewis
Welcome to my little slice of pie. This blog will primarily focus on prepping and homesteading skills with a sprinkle of fiction every now and then.
Keep reading
More stories from M.L. Lewis and writers in Earth and other communities.
The Refrigerant Transition
Cooling seldom features in climate headlines, yet it is one of the quietest success stories of the last decade. Under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, countries are phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—super-pollutant refrigerants—while retailers and manufacturers rapidly switch to ultra-low-GWP “natural” refrigerants such as carbon dioxide (R744) and propane (R290). Fully implemented, Kigali alone can avert roughly 0.4–0.5°C of warming by 2100; paired with efficiency improvements, the avoided warming can be closer to ~1°C—an enormous contribution from a single policy family [1–2].
By Futoshi Tachino2 days ago in Earth
In Maduro’s Capture, Russia Sees a Great-Power Rival Act with Impunity
The world watched in early 2026 as U.S. special forces struck in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro. It was a dramatic move that upended politics in Caracas — and sent shockwaves through Moscow. For Russia, Maduro wasn’t just an ally; he was a key piece in a global chess game stretching from Latin America to the Middle East. His capture has forced Russian strategists to reconsider how far they can project power — and what it means when a rival acts seemingly without consequence. A Blow to Russian Influence Venezuela has long been one of Russia’s few footholds in the Western Hemisphere. Moscow supplied weapons, energy investments, loans, and political backing to Maduro. The goal was simple: counterbalance U.S. influence and maintain a strategic ally near American borders. Maduro’s capture has changed that calculus. Russia’s foreign ministry condemned the operation as “armed aggression” and demanded respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty. At the same time, Moscow backed Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader, framing it as support for Venezuela’s self-determination. But behind the formal statements, analysts suggest Moscow is feeling the sting. The U.S. operation was fast and effective — a stark contrast to Russia’s costly, prolonged campaigns elsewhere. For many, it exposed gaps in Russia’s ability to defend its allies abroad. The Kremlin’s Dilemma Inside Russia, commentators and analysts are debating what Maduro’s capture says about global power dynamics. Some see it as a glaring demonstration of U.S. military reach. Others point out the hypocrisy of international law, given Russia’s own record in Ukraine. But the underlying concern is strategic. Venezuela was one of the few places where Russia could claim a geopolitical win outside Europe and the Middle East. Losing leverage over Caracas diminishes Russia’s influence in energy markets, political alliances, and the narrative of great-power competition. A New Era of Great-Power Competition Russian experts are framing the event as evidence that international norms are eroding. In their view, powerful nations now act where it suits them, regardless of global rules — a logic Russia often uses to justify its own interventions. The U.S. capture of Maduro, framed as a law-enforcement operation targeting corruption and drug trafficking, has inadvertently reinforced Moscow’s messaging: great powers act with impunity. It’s a convenient narrative for Russian state media, even if the reality exposes Russia’s own limitations. Economic and Strategic Consequences Maduro’s removal isn’t just political; it has economic ramifications for Russia. Caracas was part of OPEC+ and home to joint energy ventures. U.S. access to Venezuelan resources could impact oil markets, squeezing Moscow’s budget further. Other projects, from weapons sales to industrial partnerships, now face uncertainty. What was once a partnership built on mutual opposition to the U.S. may now be a casualty of American assertiveness. Domestic Perception in Russia How Russians perceive the operation matters as much as the operation itself. Some voices call for a tougher stance to defend Moscow’s allies. Others acknowledge the gap between Russian and American capabilities. This debate influences both public sentiment and the Kremlin’s policy decisions. It shapes how Russians see their country’s role in the world — whether as a global power able to project influence, or a state constrained by geography, economy, and international reaction. What This Means for Global Politics Maduro’s capture is more than a headline. It signals a shift in global power dynamics. For the U.S., it shows the willingness to project force far from home. For Russia, it underscores limits in influence and credibility. Moscow may continue to use this event in propaganda and rhetoric, but the reality is stark: words without action may not sustain alliances or deter rivals. The event also raises questions about the rules-based international system. If powerful countries intervene militarily at will, what does that mean for global stability? The Takeaway Russia’s reaction to Maduro’s capture reflects a broader truth: modern power is measured not just by intent, but by capability. Russia may want to project global influence, but when rivals act decisively, even long-standing allies can be lost. Maduro’s removal also highlights a changing world order. Great powers no longer operate in isolated theaters. Every move, whether in Latin America or elsewhere, is scrutinized and reverberates globally. For Moscow, the message is clear: ambitions must match capability. For the world, it’s a reminder that power without action is only potential — while decisive, well-resourced rivals can act with apparent impunity.
By Muhammad Hassan7 days ago in Earth
Comments (2)
I live in Florida. We do experience tornados, but the hurricanes.....
Definitely learned a lot from this story—we don't get very many dust devils around here, but if I know one thing about Mother Nature it's that she can destroy just as much as she can create!