Tornado

Question 1

Joplin tornado 2011 hazards

Answer 1

• intense precipitation = 50-100mm of rainfall in some areas in a few hours = localised flash flooding
• supercell produced hail stones = 7cm in diameter = shattered windows + damaged roofs + vehicles
• high winds that exceeded 200mph =321.869 km/h 7500 homes destroyed + 1000 + buildings damaged e.g. St John’s regional medical centre was directly hit killed 11 people + shifting building 10m off its foundations due to wind pressure
• high winds resulted in flying debris = responsible for majority of 158 deaths + 1,150 injuries
• high pressure imbalance = core pressure as low as 850 mb resulting in a rapid inflow of air into vortex + violent upwards suction

Question 2

Secondary impacts

Answer 2

• 9000 people left homeless
• many businesses destroyed
• prolonged power outages, brine. Water + gas lines
• large quantity of debris had to be cleared = delaying rebuilding efforts + increased costs