Tornado's in Suffolk Virginia what the h**l?

Question

check out the pics what do you think, they are not my pics but it was less then a 1/4 mile from my house, to close for comfert.

What you think we are freaking out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/18910422@N0...

There is never tornados around here then BAMM we got hit by one of the worse in virginia history. What the h**l

my house was accross the interstate. my nighborhood was lucky to have a leaf fall better yet a house exsplode.

and to think me and my fiance was looking at a place over there, I hope its still standing.

I mean they gave a 2% chance of a storm developing and we ended up having 3 one travaling over 25 miles.

Answer 1

Yes, there is a lot of discussion across the weather forums all over the Internet that perhaps the SPC (Storm Prediction Center) was caught napping. As you may know, the SPC is responsible for issuing severe weather outlooks and severe weather watches (not warnings) throughout the U.S.

The ones who issue warnings are the local National Weather Service meteorologists. There are over 100 NWS offices in the country.

I can see why the SPC did not expect there to be significant tornadoes in that area according to previous day models. But, as activity began increasing in the Mid-Atlantic, it became clear to me that something was about to happen. I cannot speak for the SPC since I do not work there, but they did miss this one. They did not mess up completely since a watch was indeed issued and they upgraded to a 5% tornado probability (perhaps a bit too late).



I pray for the people affected and hope that everyone made it through safely. It must have been one heck of a surprise for you folks.

Edit: I am a member at Eastern Weather Forums but I do not believe that I have made any posts.

Answer 2

If you were watching the news it said that Burnetts Mill and Freedom Plaza was hit the hardest. I, unfornutely, live in Burnetts Mill. My house had 2 trees in it and my roof had holes in it. I was actually on the news because we HAD to evacuate because the houses at the beginning of the neighborhood came OFF the ground, foundation and all, and a gas leak erupted so we to go...and I still am in a hotel.

Answer 3

I basically gave the answer as to why this occurred yesterday in your other question.  Forecast models totally underdid yesterday's parameters.  This in turn lead the SPC and local offices to underdo their forecasts as well.  Instability numbers were a bit higher than modeled, especially forecasted LI values.  Forecasted LI values were around -2 but they ended up being around -6 to -8!  SBcape was forecasted to be ~1000 J/KG but ended up being closer to 1500 J/KG!  Helicity (how much spin the atmosphere has) values were forecasted to be right around ~200-300 m2s2 but ended up being 400-500 m2s2!!!!!!  There was strong speed shear (change in wind speed with height) aloft and good directional shear (change in wind direction with height).  All of these parameters lead to the deadly long-tracked wedge tornado.  

The SPC had a 2% tornado contour in the 06z outlook and the 1300z outlooks but they upgraded the area to 5% tornado contour by the 1630z outlook and issued a Tornado Watch around 2:15-3:00 Pm EDT.

Mr. Weather,

Do you post over at eastern wx forums?

Just curious but what is your member name?  If you don't want to disclose it I understand.  Or if you want to keep it private you can just email me or even send me a PM from your eastern account.

Answer 4

I know, i was surprised. I live 5 miles from where it happened in windsor.  I was happy that it missed me. That is most tornado outbreak in our area and i have lived here for over 20 years. I am glad you are ok. No matter where you live, any type of weather event is possible.  I guess you live near Route 58?  I hope they open that road back up soon. That is my main road i use for transporation usually. I actually just got married 2 weeks ago and me and my wife were actually looking out there for a place to live too. Might have to reconsider, even though tornadoes don't happen very often around here

Answer 5

THE h**l, is that all your precious houses and buildings are rated for 75mph winds!!

THE DAMAGES come from DEFECTIVE building frames!!

If you don't upgrade yor building frames, don't complain, cry, or blame others!! You buy these deathtraps and show us that you got the best house on the block!!

Tommorrow, you will once again turn down tornado-proof building frames, because you will have already forgotten that another tornado is on the way!!

FYI: I am a former Building Safety Official and of course People's well being is the first concerns of my thoughts and the departments I worked at. I am glad nobody was killed bythe tornados directly, but am sick that anyone was injured!! I get like this wherever the destruction occurs, and am always driving Builders and Designers to improve the building frames, as that is the centerpiece to building collapses, dislodgements, etc.

My remarks tonight are directed at the Construction Industry for continually ignoring that when buildings fail, People get injured and lose money, preoperty, and creditability the next time they try to purchase a home.

I have been outed, lambasted, fired, hired, and praised for my views on this topic, and my convictions about that there is a better way to design and construct building frames came true in 2005, when I developed the first ever Continuous Reinforcing Systems for building frames, that DOES resist the forces of tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other physical hardships. These systems also reduces the costs to design and construct buildings, makes work easier on the Construction Trades (which means they aren't as tired, and can concentrate better), and makes the buildings more durable. I hope that the Construction Industry wakes up soon to these systems, as their Families, also, live in disaster prone regions!!