How Countries are Preparing for Climate Change - 3b Extreme Weather - Destructive Winds, Cyclones and Tornadoes

 

-Image generated by Copilot

Damaging Winds

Five Australian East Coast states have had  severe wind warnings for the last few days. In Tasmania, some gusts have exceeded 100 km per hour.  Trees have been brought  down, so have powerlines and roads have been closed. Two people have died, 1300 hundred homes have lost power and some have lost roofs. 

These haven't been cyclones or tornadoes, because they lack the central spiral, but that doesn't mean they aren't destructive. Below is the Beaufort Scale which tells us how severe winds are and whether we need to take any special precautions. 

I did secure my outdoor umbrella and furniture, but I realised I had forgotten the wheelie bins when I heard them thumpity, thumping their way down the driveway. I also forgot to move my little potted mandarin, but it could have been so much worse. 

There are upper levels to the Beaufort Scale too and while we definitely seem to be in that territory, our winds are gusty and come in bursts rather than being consistently high. They must sustain those speeds for 10 minutes or more to be classed as a hurricane and they must revolve around a central eye. 

 Curiously, Cyclones and Tornadoes spin anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the South, just like your bathwater, due to the Coriolis effect.

While both Hurricanes (a.k.a Cyclones, Tropical Storms or Typhoons) and Tornadoes involve spiralling winds, they are differ in scale, formation, duration and impact and preparation for them is quite different too. Cyclones require long-term, regional planning; tornadoes demand rapid, localised response.

 Differences between Cyclones and Tornadoes

Feature	Cyclone	Tornado
Formation	Over warm ocean waters	From severe thunderstorms over land
Size	Hundreds of kilometers wide	Tens to hundreds of meters wide
Duration	Days to weeks	Minutes to hours
Warning Time	Several days	Often less than 30 minutes
Wind Speed	Sustained winds up to 250+ km/h	Gusts up to 300+ km/h
Damage Pattern	Widespread flooding, wind, storm surge	Narrow path of intense destruction

Here's an explanation from National Geographic about how Cyclones form 

Both Cyclones and Tornadoes can be very destructive but although Tornadoes are generally confined to a smaller area, they can pack considerably more punch. Below there's a brief explanation from National Geographic again.  I am truly shocked to learn that the UK has such high density of tornadoes by land areas, though they tend to be rather weak - so weak that they are hardly noted and rarely do much damage, according to Copilot, but the USA holds the record both for numbers - around 1200 per year and for strength.  

Other Countries which have Tornadoes

Country	Avg Tornadoes/Year	Notes
China	~108	Often underreported; frequency unclear
Russia	~100	Sparse tracking; mostly in western regions
Canada	~61	Second most in North America; concentrated in Ontario and Prairies
Mexico	~50	Occasional, especially in northern states
United Kingdom	~40	Frequent but usually weak; rarely cause major damage
Australia	~16	Rare but possible—especially in eastern states
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay	~3–7 each	These countries touch the world’s third-most-active tornado region

        Source: World Population Reviewa

Who knew that South America had its own "Tornado Alley?" Southern Brazil, Northeastern Argentina, and Uruguay experience dozens of tornadoes  -known as tormentas severas or vientos huracanados  a year, including some violent ones, yet they rarely make international headlines. This is largely because there is no centralised recording of such events, the dominance of US and European news media and because they often occur in underpopulated areas. They also pale into insignificance compared to the scale and frequency of such disasters in the USA.  

The Preparation for Cyclones and Tornadoes differs. Although Cyclones can't be avoided as yet and cover a much larger area, they have been intensely studied, can be predicted with greater accuracy and build more slowly, giving people time to evacuate and reach safety, which is why mortality is much lower these days, than it would be otherwise. 

It is a cause for concern that like Cyclones (see previous post), Tornadoes are  are also moving into new territory or becoming more frequent in places where there they have only rarely been seen. The remains of a Category 4 Typhoon has just reached Alaska, causing mush damage and loss of life. "Tornado Alley' in the USA appears to be shifting further to the East. They are also less bound by the seasons, with some occurring even in winter. This means that the rest of us would do well to learn more about them and how to prepare for them. 

 Differences Between Tornadoes and Cyclones

Aspect	Tornado	Cyclone
Scale and Duration	Small-scale, hyper-local; lasts minutes; damage path often under 10 km wide	Large-scale system; spans hundreds of kilometres; lasts days; affects entire regions
Formation and Forecasting	Form over land. Form rapidly from supercell thunderstorms; hard to predict precisely	Develops over warm ocean waters; Can be forecast days in advance
Wind Behaviour	Rotational vortex with extreme speeds (up to 500 km/h); damage is concentrated and erratic	Sustained winds with gusts; less rotational, more widespread
Damage Profile	Piercing, localised destruction—roofs torn off, homes shredded, vehicles tossed	Widespread flooding, storm surge, wind damage, erosion, long-term displacement
Warning Language and Public Response	“Watch” vs “Warning” often misunderstood; urgency is immediate	Tiered warnings—“Cyclone Watch,” “Cyclone Warning,” “Evacuation Order”; more time to act
Sheltering Strategy	Shelter in place—interior room, basement, storm cellar	Evacuate if advised; otherwise, secure home and shelter in a safe room away from windows
Tension/ Mood	Sudden, violent, unpredictable	Slow-building dread

Source: Science Notes 

How Not to Prepare for a Cyclone  -A Cautionary Tale 

Many years ago, I was driving down the East Coast of the USA with my sons. We'd just left the Goddard Space Centre and were hoping to visit some historic sites on our way to Miami, where we were supposed to catch our plane. All the traffic seemed to be going the other way and when we tried to leave the freeway, police who were busy with the streams of traffic, just kept waving us on - through Virginia, through Georgia. Eventually we managed to sneak off at a small town and a man who was boarding up his windows told us Hurricane Betsy was due make landfall that night. Since nothing was open, we continued on down the coast. 

There was no one at our hostel when we arrived either and because it was unbearably hot and humid, we went for a swim on its nice little beach. The waves were great! After a while,  we noticed people waving to us from the shore, and we waved back. When we finally went ashore, they told us they were trying to get us out of the water because those giant waves we were enjoying so much churn up the fish and attract sharks. I don't remember too much about the night - I expect we cowered in our beds. The sea roared and the wind roared. Next morning, half the hostel's backyard was gone.  

Here's what we should have been doing. The main difference between preparing for tornadoes and cyclones is that with cyclones you usually have time to get away to an evacuation centre, whereas with tornadoes you should shelter in place because they can come on with little warning. 

Here's What Governments and Emergency Services are Doing 

While we cannot prevent Cyclones and Tornadoes,  better understanding, good warning systems and preparation can prevent loss of life. We have already discussed landscape scale modifications for Cyclones such as planting mangroves to reduce wind speeds and flooding in coastal regions in previous posts. Here’s a bit more about what Government and local and regional authorities are doing about Tornadoes and how you can protect yourself. 

Tornado Mitigation Strategies

Investing in research, advanced forecasting and warning systems

Enhanced Building Codes

·         Implementing and enforcing building codes that require structures to be designed to withstand tornado-force winds.

·         This includes reinforcing roofs, windows, and walls to prevent collapse during tornado events.

Storm Shelters and Safe Rooms

·         Encouraging the construction of storm shelters and safe rooms within homes and public buildings.

·         These provide a safe haven during tornadoes, significantly reducing the risk of injury or death.

Public Education Campaigns

·         Conducting educational campaigns to inform the public about tornado risks and safety measures and involving communities as much as possible

Protecting Youself and Your Family from Cyclones

·         Evacuation planning: Know routes and shelters well in advance.

·         Secure property: Tie down loose items, reinforce windows and roofs.

·         Stock emergency kits: Include water, food, medications, radios, and power banks.

·         Stay informed: Monitor weather alerts and cyclone tracking maps.

·         Insurance check: Ensure coverage includes wind and flood damage.

·         Community coordination: Share plans with neighbours, especially vulnerable residents.

If a cyclone is imminent, because you usually have more warning time, authorities may recommend turning off utilities before the storm hits:

• Electricity:
• Turn off major appliances and unplug electronics to prevent damage from surges.
• If flooding is likely, switch off the main power supply to avoid electrocution.
• Gas:
• Turn off the gas at the meter or cylinder if instructed by emergency services or if you plan to evacuate. Gas leaks are a serious fire risk after a cyclone.
• Water:
• Turn off the main water valve if you expect pipes may burst or if authorities ask you to conserve or protect the water supply.
• Evacuation  - If you do hear of an incoming weather event, it's best to remove pets, children and vulnerable people such as the elderly to a safe place beforehand 
  
  
• Obey all instructions and evacuation orders.If you are packing for evacuation with children, it's a nice touch to pack one of their favourite toys or a comfort blanket -some connection with home, as the dislocation will be traumatic enough.

⚠️ Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Tornadoes

·         Identify safe shelter: Underground or interior rooms away from windows.

·         Emergency drills: Practice rapid response with family or community.

·         Monitor weather alerts: Use apps or radios for real-time warnings.

·         Avoid mobile homes: Seek sturdier shelter if possible.

·         Protective gear: Helmets, sturdy shoes, and ID documents in plastic bags or preferably waterproof containers. If a tornado warning is issued, secure windows and doors and take cover. Don't bother turning off utilities as time to take action will be severely limited. 

Afterwards, be it a Cyclone or a Tornado, don't try to enter your home unless authorities have confirmed that it's safe to do so. Masonry may have been weakened, electrical connections torn or other dangerous debris may be waiting for you. It would be a shame to have survived a severe weather emergency only to be taken out of the gene pool by a falling beam.   

How families and individuals can prepare for Flooding can be found here and for Bushfires here - Summer is nearly here in Australia! Be sure to check out the emergency information where you live and keep an eye on weather alerts. failing that, US Government Services such as FEMA, the CDC and NOAA have excellent resources and more detailed instructions. 

Thank you to Copilot for the excellent tables, the image and general information about preparing for destructive winds, along with sources and information.  

 Flooding continues in Spain and Colorado has just joined the ranks of the flooded.  Keep safe Everyone!