Black Friday: Tornado In Canada :: essays research papers

Black Friday Tornado in Canada     "The roof was caving in and I thought I was going to die. It was equalyour worst nightmare" said Mary Grandish. Most nation think they will die whenthey see,or hear of a tornado heading their way.     Although all the expand of the formation of a tornado are not yetunderstood, it is known that tornados are the result of great instability in theatmosphere and often go forth during severe thunderstorms (see appendix 1 for ascientific explaination on how it really starts). Strong updrafts present insevere thunderstorms result in a rotational momentum. Falling rain and/or snowprobably drags air from aloft when it bewilders falling down. The combination ofsevere thunderstorms and sweltering heat are the breeding reason for atornados formation. The first sign of a tornado is a strong dust whirlwindalong with a funnel growing from the storm cloud. A more than organized funneldescends farther from the cloud, sometimes even touching the ground. Funnelwinds generally move counterclockwise and the funnel can move slowly or at about100/ft per second. Eventually the tornado becomes fragmented and dissipatescausing the end of the tornado.     Tornados are the cause of great destruction and devistation in the playing areain which they occur. For example the Tri-State Tornado of 1925 occured in theKansas, Oklahoma, and Texas States. This tornado was one of the largesttornados recorded in history. It killed nearly 625 people. However, thetornado which strikes closest to home has occured on what Canadians have come toknow as "BLACK FRIDAY".     The tornado of "Black Friday" touched down on July 31st, 1987 at 259 pm.(See appendix 2 for the torndo path). (See appendix s 4&5 for maps locatingthe disaster sights). 27 people were killed 25 people died during the tornadoand 2 died later in the hospital. Hundreds of other people were wo und andthousands were left homeless. Edmontonians faced a horrible natural phenomenonwhich destroyed homes, farms, and businesses. (See appendix 3 for a picture ofwhat it looked like after the tornado struck up the street). More than 25 autodealers faced a loss of more than $100,000 worth of cars, which were struck byhail measurihg at up to 10 inches in circumference. Not only were auto dealerscars affected, but many other privately owned cars were damaged to varyingdegrees. The Kennedale storm sewer overloaded and outfall collapsed, whichcaused many people to call in complaining of flooded basements. Damageestimites were listed at between $150-$300 million dollars. $20 million dollarsdamage was done to Evergreen erratic Home Trailer Park $50-$70 million dollars