Running head: TORNADOES IN MICHIGAN
Tornados in Michigan
Jessica Stewart, Anna Cunningham, Ryan Peggar, Tonya Thompson
Ferris State University
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Abstract
Tornadoes are an example of a natural disaster that can occur in any area at any time. Natural
disasters, such as tornadoes, can kill, inflict human suffering, destroy property, and can harm the
environment (Veenema, 2007, p. 327).Tornadoes are unpreventable and uncontrollable. There
are many factors that need to be considered when looking at the severity of damage a tornado
can cause. Some factors to consider are “community preparedness, sophistication of
communication systems, and the use of public safety announcements and education on how to
respond correctly to the first signs of danger” (Veenema, 2007, p. 328).This type of natural
disaster can have impact on the healthcare system because of the direct or indirect cause of
injury, psychological effects, and death. Tornadoes are unpredictable, so planning for them is
limited.Several steps can be taken to help prepare if a tornado were to occur, but never can be
predict the severity of the effects or damage it can cause.
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Tornadoes in Michigan
Tornadoes are a devastating natural disaster that can occur in many areas of the United
States. The state of Michigan is just as likely to have tornados occur as the states in line with
“tornado alley”. The term “tornado alley” is sometimes used to identify the area of the United
States in which more tornadoes strike than in any other place in the world (Weather Almanac).
According to Veenema, “approximately 1,000 tornadoes occur annually in the United States”
(2007, p. 334). ”Because weather related events are ubiquitous and can occur without warning,
humans have had little recourse but to prepare to respond to the wrath of the environment in
which they live” (Veenema, 2007, p. 327).
Summary of Tornadoes in Michigan
According to the Disaster Center, Michigan ranks 20 out of the 50 United States for
frequency of Tornadoes, 5 for number of deaths, 8 for injuries, and 22 for cost of damages
(Disaster Center, n.d.). The damage caused by tornadoes is scored using the Fujita scale. The
Fujita Tornado Damage Scale was developed in 1971 by T. Theodore Fujita of the University of
Chicago (NOAA, n.d.) This scale consists of six different levels of tornadoes. Fujita 0 is the
least severe and signifies Gale winds that are less than 73 miles per hour (MPH) causing light
damage (NOAA, n.d.). The highest level of tornado is Fujita 5 which produces an estimated
wind of 261-318 MPH and causes incredible damage (NOAA, n.d.). There are only two
recorded F5 tornadoes in Michigan and they occurred in 1953 and 1956 (Tornado History
Project, 2012). The tenth deadliest tornadoes between the years 1950-2011 occurred in Flint,
MI, on June 8, 1953 (NOAA, 2011). This tornado was one of the two F5 tornadoes to take place
in Michigan. This tornado was responsible for 157 fatalities (NOAA, 2011).
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The vast majority of tornadoes in Michigan range between F2 tornadoes and F0
tornadoes (Tornado History Project, 2012). The second highest ranking tornado, the F4, has not
taken place since 1977 (Tornado History Project, 2012). This information demonstrates that the
level of severe tornadoes has decreased over the years. While the number of tornadoes fluctuates
over the years, the severity of damage caused by tornadoes has decreased over time. There has
not been a tornado that has accounted for more than five fatalities since 1977 (Tornado History
Project, 2012).
Risk for Tornadoes in Michigan
Although Michigan is not one of the states in “tornado alley”, there is history of a
significant amount of tornados that have occurred. Between 1951 and 2010 there have been 953
tornadoes in the State of Michigan accounting for approximately 260 deaths and 844 injuries
(Tornado History Project, 2012). The risk for tornadoes occurring in Michigan has neither
decreased nor increased. The number of tornadoes in Michigan has fluctuated over the years and
occurrences vary from year to year. For instance, in 2010 there were 27 tornadoes leading to one
fatality and 15 injuries (Tornado History Project, 2012). However, in 2009 there were only three
tornadoes in Michigan and no injuries or fatalities were recorded (Tornado History Project,
2012). The trend of increasing and decreasing in number of tornadoes from 0 to 39 has been
recorded since 1951. The average number of tornadoes in Michigan in one year is 16 (Michigan
State Police Emergency Management Division, n.d.).
The National Weather Service’s (NWS) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) compiles data
and statistics on various weather events, including tornadoes. On average, according to the SPC,
about 1300 tornadoes occur in the U.S. every year. Michigan’s average yearly tornado count
from 1990-2011 was 16 tornadoes annually (NCDC, 2012). Precise counts of tornadoes are
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difficult to obtain because they are very brief weather events and recording them is difficult.
Also, tornado spotting and recording methods have changed substantially over the past decade
and as a result, current official tornado records are believed to be incomplete (Edwards, 2012).
Therefore, it is difficult to identify reliable trends in the data, thus difficult to determine if level
of risk is increasing or decreasing.
Does global warming cause more tornadoes? Climatologists have in the past theorized
that global warming will lead to more severe weather, which in turn cause tornadoes (Choi and
Fisher, 2003). The SPC rightly points out that “global warming” does not directly cause
tornadoes, as tornadoes are a product of thunderstorms (Edwards, 2012). So then the SPC asks:
does global warming influence tornado occurrences? The SPC asserts that at this time, the
answer to that question is not known. They cite a National Science and Technology Council
report that states: "Trends in other extreme weather events that occur at small spatial scales--such
as tornadoes, hail, lightning, and dust storms--cannot be determined at the present time due to
insufficient evidence" (Edwards, 2012). This is because climate trends occur over many years
and over large areas of the world, whereas tornadoes are very brief weather events. However, the
SPC goes on to point out that climate models can indicate changes in three of the ingredients of
thunderstorms (moisture, instability, and wind shear) (Edwards, 2012). However, when
considering global warming, the results are mixed. Global warming may increase moisture,
while wind shear would probably decrease. The SPC then concludes that with the insufficient
evidence, along with inconsistent tornado reporting, it is not possible to say whether the risk for
tornadoes is increasing or decreasing (Edwards, 2012).
Health Implications
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Health implications related to disastrous tornadoes can impact the population in many
ways. Tornadoes can directly and indirectly cause injuries and death. The extreme high winds
of a tornado turn objects into flying debris and can cause direct harm such as head injuries, soft
tissue injuries, and secondary injuries such as wound infections can occur. (Veenema, 2007, p.
334). According to Veenema, “tornadoes can have a wind velocity of up to 200 miles per hour
and generate sufficient force to destroy even massive buildings” (2007, p 334).
Indirect injuries
occur at times when people are trying to reach shelter, such as falling down stairs or a burning
candle starts a fire due to power outage from the tornado (Daley, 2005). Heart attacks and
strokes can occur due to previous medical conditions and the stress of a tornado. The
destruction path tornadoes leave behind can cause stress-related disorders. These disorders can
be caused from the loss of shelter, loved ones, and belongings (Veenema, 2007, p.334).
Everyone is at risk of injury during a tornado but some groups of the population are at a
greater risk. People living in mobile homes were at a greater risk of suffering from injuries or
death from a tornado then those seeking shelter in permanently anchor-based houses. (Daley,
2005) Those that found shelter in a motor vehicle were less likely to suffer injuries then those
searching shelter outside under bridge ways and ditches. (Daley, 2005) The elderly were an age
group more likely to suffer from injuries during a tornado due to debility and not being alerted
soon enough. (Daley, 2005) The safest shelter was found to be the basement or a storm shelter.
Tornadoes have a huge impact on the health care system. The destruction caused from tornadoes
creates an overflow of hospital admissions and emergency department outpatient visits. (Daley,
2005) Hospitals must activate there disaster plan to adjust to the increased flow of patients.
Some health care workers might have to stay at the hospital after their shifts have been
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completed to help because other employers might not be able to report to work due to road
conditions.
Prevention and Mitigation
There is no way to prevent the occurrence of tornadoes, but there are measures one can
take to prevent injury and fatality that may result from the devastation of tornadoes. Households
should develop a disaster plan in order to be prepared for tornado activity. One of the most
important aspects of a disaster plan includes identifying a safe room within the home (NESEC,
n.d.). A safe room should be located on the lowest level of the home and should be an area that
does not have windows (NESEC, n.d.). Additionally, this area should not be in a location in
which heavy household furniture is located directly above it which may fall and injure or trap
people (NESEC, n.d.). Trailers, mobile homes, and RVs are not safe locations for safe rooms
and households that reside in these homes should develop a plan to get shelter at a nearby
location that does offer structural safety (NESEC, n.d.).
Household disaster plans can help reduce the risk of bodily injury and death. Each
household should also develop a disaster supply kit that contains enough supplies for a minimum
of three days. Important items include flashlights, battery powered radio, water, nonperishable
foods, and heavy clothing and padding to protect each person from debris and heavy objects
(American Red Cross, 2009). Household tornado drills should be conducted to ensure that all
family members are familiar with what to do in the event of a tornado (American National Red
Cross, 2009). Individuals should also know what their community’s warning system consists of
such as sirens (American National Red Cross, 2009).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines mitigation as “the effort
to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters” (FEMA, 2011, para. 1).
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Communities that build storm shelters and provide alarm systems to inform members of tornado
activity demonstrate mitigation (NESEC, n.d.). Other very important aspects of mitigation
include developing building codes that require structurally sound building plans to prevent
collapse and entrapment, ensuring that schools conduct routine tornado drills, and requiring
businesses to post signs with disaster plans for those locations (NESEC, n.d.). Training for first
responders and medical personnel also is essential for mitigation (Government of Dane County,
2009).
Conclusion
In conclusion, these “rapidly whirling, funnel-shaped air spirals that emerge from a
violent thunderstorm and reach the ground” have potential to cause great harm to people and
destroy an area (Veenema, 2007, p. 334). The risk for tornadoes in Michigan has neither
decreased of increased. Throughout time, the number of tornadoes has fluctuated. However, the
number of F3-F5 tornadoes has decreased significantly since the 1950s. Although there is no
way to truly predict when these violent storms are going to occur, one can only be prepared if the
event were to occur and know how to take action to stay safe. History has proven that tornadoes
can occur in the state of Michigan, and with the unpredictable weather in the area, there is
potential for a tornado to strike again.
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References
American Red Cross. (2009). Be Cross Ready: Winter Storm Safety Checklist. Retrieved from:
http://www.arcwestmi.org/Portals/0/Documents/Administrative/WinterStorms.pdf
American National Red Cross. (2009). Be Red Cross Ready: Tornado Safety Checklist.
Retrieved from: http://www.redcross.org/wwwfiles/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Tornado.pdf
Choi, A., & Fisher, A. (2003). The impacts of socioeconomic development and climate change
on severe weather catastrophe losses: Mid-Atlantic region (mar) and the U.S. Climatic
Change, 58, 140-170.
Daley, W., Brown, S., Archer, P., Kruger, E., Jordan, F., Batts, D., & Mallonee, S. (2005). Risk
of tornado-related death and injury in Oklahoma, May 3, 1999. American Journal Of
Epidemiology, 161(12), 1144-1150.
Disaster Center. (n.d.). Michigan Tornadoes. Retrieved from:
http://www.disastercenter.com/michigan/tornado.html
Edwards, R. (2012). National Weather Service (NWS), Storm Prediction Center (SPC). The
online tornado FAQ
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2011, November 3). Mitigation. Retrieved from:
http://www.fema.gov/government/mitigation.shtm
Government of Dane County. (2009). Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. Retrieved from:
http://danedocs.countyofdane.com/webdocs/PDF/ems/mitigation_plan/Dane%20County
%20Chapter%201%20Introduction.pdf
Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division. (n.d.). Michigan Tornado Safety.
Retrieved from: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp-tornado_tips_8781_7.pdf
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National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). (2012). U.S. tornado climatology. Retrieved from:
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate /severeweather /tornadoes.html.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.). Fujita Tornado Damage Scale.
Retrieved from: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f-scale.html
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2011, August 19). 2011 Tornado
Information. Retrieved from:
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/2011_tornado_information.html
The Northeast States Emergency Consortium. (n.d.). Tornadoes. Retrieved from:
http://www.nesec.org/hazards/tornadoes.cfm
Tornados: a preparedness Guide Including Safety Information for Schools (1992, September). In
U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved March 19, 2012, from
http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/tornado.pdf
Tornado History Project (2012). Tornadoes in Michigan. Retrieved from:
http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/Michigan
Veenema, T. G. (2007). Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness for chemical, Biological,
and Radiological Terrorism and Other Hazards (2nd ed.). N.p.: Spring Publishing
Company.
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Grading Rubric for The Group Project: Natural or Environmental Disaster
A. Introduction
B. Summary of a
type of major
natural or
environmental
disaster that
includes the
severity of
damage
C. Discussion as
to whether the risk
for this disaster is
increasing or
decreasing
D. An analysis of
the health
implications
related to this
disaster that
include the
population at risk
(affected
population), the
risk of morbitity
and mortality, and
the potential
impact on the
health care
system
E. Provision of
prevention and/or
mitigation
measures that are
supported with
the literature
Below Expectation
(2 points)
The introduction is
below average or
missing. The focus
of the paper is not
clear as well as what
will be discussed in
the text of the paper
(9 points)
There is below
average summary of
a major natural or
environmental
disaster that does
not include the
severity of damage
and is not supported
with the literature.
(9 points)
There is a below
average discussion
of whether the risk
for this disaster is
increasing or
decreasing. The
position is not
supported with the
literature.
(9 points)
There is a below
average analysis of
the health
implications related
to this disaster and
the population at
risk, the risk of
morbidity and
mortality and the
potential impact on
the health care
system. The
analysis is not
supported with the
literature.
( 9 points)
There is below
average provision of
prevention and/or
mitigation measures
that are supported
with the literature.
These measures are
not supported with
the literature.
Needs Improvement
(3 points)
There is an average
introduction to the
paper. The focus of
the paper may be
somewhat unclear as
well as what will be
discussed in the text
of the paper
(12 points)
There is an average
summary of a major
natural or
environmental disaster
that includes the
severity of damage.
The summary may not
be clearly supported
with the literature.
(12 points)
There is an average
discussion of whether
the risk for this
disaster is increasing
or decreasing. The
position may not be
clearly supported with
the literature.
(12 points)
There is an average
analysis of the health
implications related to
this disaster and the
population at risk, the
risk of morbidity and
mortality and the
potential impact on the
health care system.
The analysis is not
clearly supported with
the literature.
(12 points)
There is an average
provision of prevention
and/or mitigation
measures. These
measures are not
clearly supported with
the literature.
Meets Expectations
(4 points)
There is a good
introduction to the
paper that includes a
clear focus to the
paper and what will
be discussed in the
text of the paper
Exceptional
(5 points)
There is an excellent
introduction to the
paper that includes a
very clear focus of
the paper and what
will be discussed in
the text of the paper
(14 points)
There is a good
summary of a major
natural or
environmental
disaster that includes
the severity of
damage and is
supported with the
literature.
(14 points)
There is a good
discussion of
whether the risk for
this disaster is
increasing or
decreasing. The
position is clearly
supported with the
literature.
(13 points)
There is a good
analysis of the health
implications related
to this disaster and
the population at
risk, the risk of
morbidity and
mortality and the
potential impact on
the health care
system. The analysis
is clearly supported
with the literature.
(15 points)
There is an excellent
summary of a major
natural or
environmental
disaster that includes
the severity of
damage and is
supported with the
literature.
(15 points)
There is an excellent
discussion of
whether the risk for
this disaster is
increasing or
decreasing. The
position is clearly
supported with the
literature.
(15 points)
There is an excellent
analysis of the health
implications related
to this disaster and
the population at
risk, the risk of
morbidity and
mortality and the
potential impact on
the health care
system. The analysis
is clearly supported
with the literature.
(13 points)
There is a good
provision of
prevention and/or
mitigation measures
that are supported
with the literature
(15 points)
There is an excellent
provision of
prevention and/or
mitigation measures
that are supported
with the literature
TORNADOES IN MICHIGAN
F. Conclusion or
Summary
G. Data &
Information
H. APA Format;
Spelling &
Grammar; Clarity
of ideas
(2 points)
There is a below
average summary or
conclusion related to
the key points in the
paper. All new
information is
introduced or
conclusion is
missing.
(14 points)
Less than 3
resources beyond
the textbook are
used to support your
plan. Less than 50%
are current within
the last 5 years.
(4 points)
APA format is below
average; >15 errors
in grammar or
spelling; Ideas are
not clearly presented
12
(3 points)
There is an average
summary or
conclusion related to
the key points in the
paper. Mostly new
information is
introduced.
(4 points)
There is a good
summary or
conclusion related to
the key points in the
paper. Some new
information may be
introduced.
(5 points)
There is an excellent
summary or
conclusion related to
the key points in the
paper. No new
information is
introduced.
(16 points)
A minimum of 3
resources beyond the
textbook are used to
support your plan.
50% are current within
the last 5 years.
(18 points)
A minimum of 4
resources beyond
the textbook are
used to support your
plan. 75% are
current within the
last 5 years.
(8 points)
APA format is good;
5-10 errors in
grammar or spelling;
Ideas are clearly
presented
(20 points)
A minimum of 5
resources beyond
the textbook are
used to support your
plan. All are current
within the last 5
years.
(10 points)
APA format is
excellent; <5 errors
in grammar or
spelling; Ideas are
clearly presented
(6 points)
APA format is
average; 11-15 errors
in grammar or
spelling; Ideas are
almost always clearly
presented
Ryan, Tonya, Jessica & Anna –
What can I say, other than your paper demonstrates excellence in content and research. Your group
selected a very relevant and critical topic for populations all over Michigan and the country/world. The
affects of this type of disaster and its relationship to nursing and health care is of concern. Your work
and writing is current, exact, and utmost informative. The grammar, spelling, and writing style and
technique as a group should have resounded as one voice, and for the most part it did.
The one issue that I caution you about is the number of direct quotes and block quotes that you used in
your paper. If you review APA, use only direct quotes when there is no other way to say or interpret
what you read. Otherwise you should be synthesizing the information and paraphrasing – not direct
quoting. In a paper of this size 2 or 3 would be acceptable, more than that and it is not your writing, it is
someone else’s and you just pieced them together. Be aware of this for the future, in all classes.
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The major concern that I have for your paper is the APA formatting. As far as the formatting, it was
good, but there were many oversights and imperfections with sentence spacing and the incorrect
placement of periods. If you would have reviewed your paper for consistency, you may have picked up
on it and would not have lost so many formatting points.
You should all be very proud of your teamwork and collaboration on this project. Excellent work,
individually, and as a cohesive team!
Paper score = 94%