Tornado Alley

Take a close look at the image to the left. This is a photo taken by storm chasers from the recent storms in Joplin, MO. Take a REALLY close look. Now, after looking at this, and perhaps studying it a bit, I have a question. How many people do you think are going to willingly rebuild their lives here? Answer: Probably most of them. Want to know what happened to the 1,500 missing people? They were probably smarter than the rest of you , packed their stuff and got the hell out of there!

Storms like these are not uncommon in the United States. In fact, the United States leads the world in tornadoes. What I don't understand is why people actually rebuild their lives in these areas that are more prone to tornadoes. That's the same issue I have with these people who live along the southern coastal areas that rebuild their lives, in the same spot, after a hurricane comes in and wipes everything into oblivion. In fact, I think these particular areas of the country should just be left the hell alone all together. There's MORE than enough room in other areas for everyone. Have them move there, let Tornado Alley have that land all to itself. This isn't rocket science people. It's pure common sense.


Seriously, the image at the right ought to give you a hint as to what type of damage a tornado can do. That used to be a well built neighborhood. Key phrase: 'used to be'. Tornadoes can carry massive power, beyond what most of you are capable of even beginning to conjure up in your minds. 200 mile per hour winds, lightning, hail, sheets of rain and mass devastation. By the way, the type of tornado I just described is considered to be an EF5.

The psychological and emotional trauma that takes place during the after math of a tornado is horrendous enough as it is. To some extent, I can see where people just get plain stupid and decide to rebuild. It's from the trauma of it all. Common sense will never again enter these people's minds. Coincidentally, NO, I do not buy into any of the 'excuses' people spew out as their reasons to rebuild. Let me see...

1. "I've spent my whole life here, and I am not leaving my home". - Really? Guess what, everything you worked for during your life just got smashed to toothpicks in about 5 minutes by a tornado. You have no home. Go somewhere else and build a new one. Preferably NOT in a tornado zone.

2. "I have to stay and help my community rebuild. It's important to me to help everyone." - Good for you! Nice attitude. It shows you care. Help your community rebuild, then pack your stuff and get out of town. Why? Because it's probably going to end up right back on the ground again in another year...or 5.

3. "Aw heck, that was nothing. You should've seen the one that hit 10 years ago! Now THAT was a tornado!" - Seriously? This person thought that a recorded F5 (the highest level on the scale by the way) was 'nothing'? I never realized that there was something worse than an F5. Perhaps the EF scales need to be balanced again?

We're talking about storms that flatten major populated areas, cost millions of dollars in rebuilding expenses, put thousands of lives at risk and can completely wipe out and entire year's worth of farmed crops in a matter of minutes....and you people want to REBUILD YOU LIVES?!? Oh... my... god!!

Sorry folks, but I know enough about tornadoes to know where the heck NOT to live. I've even been in a few myself. Which, is exactly why I do not live in those areas anymore. Truth of the matter is, tornadoes have been recorded in every state in the U.S., and in every nation around the globe. It's not impossible for tornadoes to be reported in the Antarctic region, although to my knowledge, none have been reported there. Point is, the less chance you have to be in a storm (of any kind) of this magnitude, the better. Pack and move.

Yes, I understand that you'll be leaving friends, family members and jobs behind. However, the way I look at it, if you stay there, you'll have none of the above left after awhile. Or, they'll leave you. Besides, you can always contact them via telephone, mail or e-mail. It's not like you're just leaving this all behind, never to communicate with them again. Want to see Dixie Alley? Take a look at the image below. THEN tell me you're going to rebuild your lives.