Dozens of lives have been lost in the recent severe storms that raked across the Midwestern and southern states of Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Alabama. March 1st and 2nd of 2012 will be remembered for a long time for thousands of people in that area. Especially for those who've lost loved ones or even found loved ones alive in the debris.
Key ingredients came together at this time to foster a hive of severe storms which produced tornadoes. Warm moist air was streaming northward from the Gulf of Mexico. Also present was a low pressure system that had just entered the affected area. Couple those two with the fact that a strong high jet stream flowed southwest to northeast over the greater area. This spelled disaster and the result is seen on our news reports in the form of death, destruction and recovery.
There are reports that many of these deadly tornadoes had mini-vortices with them. These "small" tornadoes within tornadoes can arguably be much more damaging than the large tornado itself. The damage and path of these recent storms are similar to that of the Joplin, Missouri tornado of 2011. In technical terms these systems are called multi-vortex or wedge vortex because the center of the main funnel becomes unstable, wobbles and spins out up to six vortices that can sustain wickedly fast winds greater than that of the main funnel. Of course all this is largely meaningless and pure academic to those who've lost everything.
What can you do? Consider the many possibilities that you can take advantage of to help your fellow mankind in that affected area. You can donate time and resources to help in the recovery effort. If you are relatively local to that area your physical efforts would be much appreciated. However, opportunities to help for the rest of us can take the best form as monetary donations. The American Red Cross is well familiar with disasters and can always use donations. The Marysville Fund goes to help the homeless victims in that area. Funds are sent directly to the charitable and relief organizations who are on the ground assisting at this time. NOW is the time to donate!
Even if it only takes digging a little deeper into our pockets to help those truly in need then the investment is well worth it.
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