Today, however society has an extremely advanced ability to be forewarned of a possible or actual tornado sighting before it ever touches ground. One method commonly used is a Doppler radar system that can detect a tornado while it is still in the sky and warn those in its path to take cover before it touches down. There are times that it won't touch down but is swirling in the sky. In addition to the Doppler radar system there are technologies. Even with today's technologies at society disposal one of the most relied on methods for tornado warnings is the use of trained human storm chasers and spotters. The tornado spotters are trained to go out into weather that is capable of producing tornadoes, follow those storms and report in by phone if one is seen on the ground. They are able to detect it on the ground whereas the Doppler radar system can only tell if there is a tornado in the storm whether or not it has touched down.

In this area of the nation, emergency management departments have helped to push through legislation that requires a minimum amount of sustained wind capabilities when structures are being built. In addition, many structures are built with underground basements or areas in the building above ground that are designed to withstand high winds from a tornado. In the event a tornado is headed that way people are instructed to enter the "safe room" and shut and lock the door or go to the basement of the building and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.

The year 1999 will be most remembered for the large, long-tracked tornado that damaged over 8,000 homes and businesses as it moved across a highly populated area south and southwest of Oklahoma City on May 3rd. The fact that only 42 fatalities were recorded in Oklahoma with this monstrous storm is a tribute to the effectiveness of the public partnership that produced and disseminated timely and accurate outlooks, watches, and warnings before and during the tornado. (Schaefer, 2000) "

Other steps that need to be taken include tornado warning sirens in every area of the nation where tornadoes are prevalent....

In recent years many cities and towns have made the decision to remove their tornado warning sirens. They cite the fact that cable can warn people if one is coming however, if the power goes out there is no cable. In addition if people are asleep, they will not hear a television that is off. A tornado siren system is an inexpensive measure that can save hundreds of lives with a simple blast of a siren to let people know a tornado is on the ground and they need to take immediate cover. With today's technology tornado siren systems can be made to react to a command from a remote site which means that people with Doppler radar abilities can sound the sirens from hundreds of miles away if the radar says a tornado is in that area.
There are federal regulations in place with regard to warning the public of tornadoes so that it is a standardized method that can be used nationwide.

Individual states have also adopted measures and legislation with regards to tornado warnings and the designation of safe buildings in schools.

One of the problems with tornadoes is their unpredictability. They often occur with little to now advance warning. The emergency management field needs to continue to improve the spotting technology and at some point be able to predict the pre-tornado storm well enough to know without a doubt that a tornado is likely to happen and where.

CONCLUSION

Tornadoes are one of nature's most powerful forces. Current technology is finally at a place in which conditions that make a tornado likely can be recognized. As emergency management teams nation wide continue to improve and use the available tools for spotting and warning the public about tornadoes, the public will become increasingly safer each season.

References

Schaefer, Joseph T. (2000) TORNADOES OF 1999: Twisters go urban.

Weatherwise

Guy Gugliotta (2003) Tornadoes' Effects Defy Simple Models, Theories

The Washington Post

Stuever, Hank (2003) Storm Track: Dreaming of Tornadoes

The Washington Post