10
Wednesday, August 23, 1978
University Daily Kansan
Tornadoes unpredictable, deadly
By DAVID LINK
Staff Writer
Dorothy and Toto were lucky. They were carried away by a Kansas tornado and not only lived to tell about it, but had some adventure while they were away.
But to anyone living in the Great Plains Tornado Belt, those most violent manifestations of nature's fury are serious business.
Meterologists estimate that more than 50 tornadoes ravage the United States each year, killing hundreds of people and causing hundreds of dollars worth of property damage.
Tormandes can occur anywhere in the world, but nowhere do they occur with the insect.
Meteorologists know the pattern all too well.
A warm, moist, tropical air mass migrating north from the Gulf of Mexico collides with a cold, dry, polar air mass heading south from Canada.
**THE RESULT** is a swirling mastemolst of dark clouds which usually develop into a thunderstorm system. When the clouds take on an eerie green and yellow glow, the situation is ripe for the birth of a tornado—violently rotating column of air that descends in a funnel shape from the thunderstorms cloud.
The confrontation between tropical and polar air masses usually occurs in the U.S. Midwest, which explains Kansas' reputation as a tornado breeding ground.
Tornadoes occur with the greatest frequency in the spring when the contrasts between tropical air masses and polar air masses are greatest, but they can occur at any time of year.
A tornado is what meteorologists refer to as an episodic wind. It is one of the briefest events in nature and can be a major hazard.
expectancy of eight minutes. It is also one of the most destructive, with internal winds being the main cause.
THE TOP speed of a tornado's whirlwind has never been accurately measured; the instruments never survive. Meteorologists think it probably averages around 400 m.p.h. and may go as high as 600 or 700 m.p.h. This is the speed of sound. Mach 1 is 720 m.p.h.
It is this difference in pressure which causes some of a tornado's more humorous effects. Chickens are often plucked of their cages and sleep lose their wool.
Attempts have been made to gauge the velocity of a tornado's winds by measuring wind speeds.
A TORNADO often indulges in various other poltergeist pranks such as carrying a 50 pound book of books two and a half miles and leaving it perched in a tree, moving a crate of eggs a quarter of a mile without cracking a shell, lifting a baby from its crib and depositing it unhurt several hundred vards away.
One researcher in this century found some blunt boards driven 18 inches into the ground by a tornado and attempted to duplicate the action by shooting similar boards out of a cannon only to be supported by winds blowing at the rate of 682 m.p.h.
These examples, taken from the reports of reputable meteorologists, are similar to the stories repeated over and over again around the heartbes of rural Kansans, though they represent the tornado only in its more puckish and less macabre moods.
Some University of Kansas administrators double as professors. Mike Davis, University attorney, who is one of the directors of the legal proceedings or disputes, is one of these.
He also reviews all contractual documents and grants, lease agreements and purchases.
Davis counsels, teaches
The damage left in a tornado's wake is due not only to the devastating high winds, but also to the extreme low pressure created by the wind turbines, which approaches a partial vacuum.
In addition, Davis advises administrators and University officials about statutes and regulations, both Federal and state, that might affect them in their duties.
A KU professor of law who specializes in housing, land use and property law, Davis is responsible for all legal matters involving the Lawrence campus and the KU Medical
More specifically, Davis represents the University in any legal action brought against it either by inside groups or outside interests. He also works with Federal and state investigatory bodies such as the department of Health, Education and Human Services and the Opportunity Commission if they are investigating any University matters.
Davis is also available for consultation with students who are having legal problems with the University. He will not usually deal with landlord-tenant disputes.
. The University police department also seeks Davis' services when questions arise regarding the enforcement of certain regulations. Davis will often review parking restrictions and state laws before they are sent to the Board of Regents for approval.
Davin attended Kansas State University and received his law degree from the university.
He came to KU in 1971 as a law professor and was appointed University Counsel in 1982.
The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch when weather conditions indicate the probability of a twister's formation. A tornado warning is issued only after a storm has been sighted. The warning usually includes the tornado's speed and direction of travel.
To detect a tornado anywhere within a 20 mile range, turn on the television set and let it warm up. Then tune to channel 13 and see if there is any rain or snow on the screen until it is almost—but not quite—complete black. Next, switch to channel 2 and watch the storm alone. Do not readjust the brightness control.
THE WARNINGS usually cover a broad area, often two or three counties, but a little-known procedure exists which can warn of a fire from the premises using an ordinary television set.
Lightning will appear on the screen as horizontal streaks or flashes and an approaching tornado will cause the screen to glow with a steady white light. Or, if there's a station in the area that broadcasts on channel 2, the darkened picture will become visible and will remain as long as the tornado is nearby.
of the TV's picture is the signal to take inexpensive shelter because a tornado is in the area.
THE REASON this detection system works, according to electronics experts, is that a teracond rindates electrical static and generates transient noise in the channel 2 is the channel nearest to the frequency of this electrical disturbance, it is the channel most sensitive to the static environment.
a steady white glow or the reappearance
If the storm has knocked out electrical service in the area, a battery-powered AM radio is one option.
Turn the radio on and tune to the low end of the AM dial, around 550 kilocycles. The radio will then pick up the same signals as the TV. Irregular interference from the radio can interfere with it in a constant, regular rear of static, do not besetate. Take shelter immediately.
In the city, take shelter in a basement or a strong steel-framed building. In a house with no basement, take cover under heavy furniture in the center of the house. Leave a few windows open but stay away from them until all danger is past.
In open country, move away from a tamarack's path at right angles and lie flat in the forest.
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