The document summarizes a tornado that struck Ruskin Heights, Missouri in May 1957, killing 39 people. It describes the path and intensity of the tornado through eyewitness accounts. It also discusses the inadequate warning systems and lack of storm shelters at the time, and how responses to the disaster helped improve emergency management. The author analyzes how a better warning system may have reduced casualties given most homes lacked basements. The response was well-coordinated despite limited resources, and informed future improvements to radar, sirens, and public education.

1. Caught In The Path:
A Tornado’s Fury, A Community’s Rebirth
Presented by Carlos Scott

2. Background
Place: Ruskin Heights, Missouri- The first Post World War
II Tract Housing Development in the Kansas City area.
Date: May 20, 1957

3. The Author
Survivor of the
tornado, who was seven
year-old at the time of the
event.
Composed the book as a
testimonial, written
documentary and
dedication to the victims
and survivors of the
tornado.
Compilation of recounts
from survivors and
neighbors and others in
the region

4. Path’s Beginning: The
Cause
The Cause of Tornados
Detection Technology of the Time

5. Look At This Cloud: The Storm
Early Warning System
Mindset

6. Like A Thousand Jets: The Event
When the tornado came
through many though it
was a nearby train and
some believed it to be a
squadron of jets from
the nearby Air Force
base
Half a mile wide
Moving 42 mph
500 mph winds

7. Last People On Earth: The Aftermath
39 Dead
531 Injuries
$75 Million in
Property Damages
Martial law was
declared in the
Ruskin Heights -
Hickman Mills area to
expedite relief work,
stop looting and keep
out sight-seers.

8. The Following are from Hickman Mills or
Ruskin Heights, Mo. GLADYS
ERWIN. LINDA SUE STEWART, 6
months. GOLDIE TAYLOR, 39. CAROLYN
KAY TAYLOR, 3. CORNELIA
DAVIS, 24. KATHERINE SUE
DAVIS, 7.MARJORIE
WACKERNAGLE. ORAL HOWER. JOHN
HOWER, 10. LENA RUCKER, 35. GEROLD
RUCKER. DOROTHY LEOPOLD. HAROLD
LEOPOLD, JR., 11. CHARLES
JOHNSTON. CATHERINE ARMON. ALTA
GUYLL. GEORGE KILDOW. ROBERT
YOST, JR., 9. DIANE BOYD
ROSSI, 7. HESTER TIMM, 39. DENISE
WOODLING, 3. MAXINE
NEHRING. JEANETTE DORRIS. ARTHUR
FRECHETTE. CHARLES
THOMPSON. MAYBELLE
GABBERT. HENRY GABBERT.

9. You Laugh To Survive: Coping
Survivors reacted in
traditional and non-traditional
ways to cope with the
stresses of the catastrophe.

10. Tracked By The Cisco Kid:
The Response
Martial Law was invoked due to looting
The 110th Engineers National Guard and Air Force were called
in to restore order, assist with looting, emergency services and
search & rescue efforts

11. Other Sources
When checking other sources there were minor
differences in the death tolls, the length of the the path
and the width of the tornado. This was mainly do to the
fact that some articles were written immediately after the
event and some people passed on later from injuries
sustained during the storm. Also the storm could have
changed in strength and proportion as it made its way
across the region. But 71 miles is the general consensus.

12. My Analysis
Inadequate detection system
Little understanding of storm development by weather
services and the average citizens.
Most of the homes had no basements
Lack of adequate early-warning system (Such as the
Emergency Broadcast System) and sirens.

13. Analysis Cont.
Although the damages could not have been prevented, I believe
the number of casualties could have been greatly reduced by
having a better emergency alert system in place and mandated
in home tornado sheltering. The fact that the largest group of
casualties occurred at a shopping center in Ruskin Heights is
evidence that a better warning system would have allowed
residents to the fact that a severe storm system was on the way.
This would have allowed them to get home to their storm
shelters.
Although severely lacking in preemptive and mitigating policies
and measures, the response to the event was extremely well-
executed for the resources at the time. The Red
Cross, Salvation Army, Army Reserve Engineers, county, state
and federal responses were immediate, effective and efficient.

14. Significance To EM
Development of EBS and now EAS
Development of the WSR-88D (Doppler) Radar Network
Siren and early warning systems in High-Risk areas
More information and training on the nature of tornados
and how to shelter from them
Better design and mitigation when building homes

15. References
Bietler, S. (2008, March 29). [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://www3.gendisasters.com/kansas/5958/kansas-city-mo-tornado-rips-through-city-
may-1957
Larazus, Jimerson, Brock. (n.d.). Responding to natural disasters: Helping children and
families. Retrieved from
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/naturaldisaster_teams_ho.aspx
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, National Weather Service Weather
Forecast Office. (n.d.). Ruskin heights tornado of may 20 1957. Retrieved from website:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/?n=ruskinheightstornado
New terror in a savage spring. (1957 , June 03). Retrieved from
http://books.google.com/books?id=Nj8EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA32&dq=ruskin heights life
magazine&pg=PA27
Ruskin heights tornado: 55 years later. (2008, May 20). Jacob Russell's Barking Dog,
Retrieved from http://jacobrussellsbarkingdog.blogspot.com/2008/05/ruskin-heights-
tornado-51-years.html
Ruskin heights tornado memorial . (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://ruskinheightstornado.tripod.com