Between January 2000 and June 2011, Alabama and Missouri experienced the highest number of tornado fatalities in the country. Notable tornado outbreaks occurred in April and May 2011, resulting in hundreds of deaths across several southern and midwestern states. Contributing factors for the high death tolls in Alabama and Missouri include the likelihood of tornadoes occurring at night when they are harder to see, complacency among residents who underestimate the risk, and the prevalence of mobile homes which are particularly vulnerable to tornado damage. Steps to prevent tornado deaths involve seeking safe shelter inside sturdy structures and improving the structural integrity of homes.

1. Missouri/Alabama Tornadoes
2000-2011
Travis Dolney, Erik Jordan, Elizabeth Wilson

2. History
January 2000-
June 2011,
Alabama lead
the country in
tornado
fatalities,
followed by
Missouri.

3. History
● April 25th-28th, 2011
was one of the largest
and deadliest tornado
outbreaks ever recorded
● April 27th, 2011 was the
most active day: 211
tornadoes touched down
from midnight to
midnight.
Noteable Alabama
tornadoes in this timeframe.
❏ Cullman/Arab, Alabama
❏ Hackleburg–Phil Campbell–Tanner,
Alabama
❏ Cordova/Blountsville, Alabama
❏ Tuscaloosa/Birmingham, Alabama
❏ Raleigh, Mississippi/Uniontown, Alabama
❏ Fyffe/Rainsville, Alabama
❏ Ohatchee/Piedmont, Alabama

5. Deadly 2011 Tornado Season
● April 2011 had most tornadoes
ever reported in a month (875)
● 369 fatalities (average a year
for past 11 years was 55)
● 317 fatalities in one day
● Six significant multi-day
tornado outbreaks
● Oklahoma to NC
● Texas to NY

6. May 2011
● 370 tornadoes recorded
(more than usual)
● 171 fatalities
● Joplin, Missouri tornado
was the seventh
deadliest tornado in US
history

7. Source: Aguado and Burt (2013), p. 336

8. Contributing Factors
Aguado and Burt (2013) offer three possible explanations
as to why states like Alabama and Missouri experienced
such high death tolls as a result of tornadoes:
a) time of day (night)
b) complacency of population
c) housing

9. Time of Day
● Nocturnal tornadoes are more difficult to spot and
people are more likely to be sleeping and thus unable to
hear warnings and take precautions.
● Unclear why the region might be particularly prone to
night time twisters.

10. Complacency
● They also argue that residents of the deep south may
underestimate the danger posed by tornadoes because
they live outside the traditional “tornado alley.”

11. Mobile Homes
From: weather.com
Mobile Homes as
a percent of total
housing units
(2007)
Alabama: 14.7%
(5th)
Missouri: 6.7%
(27)
U.S. Avg: 6.7%
Source:
US Census
Bureau

12. Steps Towards Prevention
1. Inside a ‘framed’ structure
a. Seek the lowest level of the structure
b. Cover your head with anything
i. Attempt to cushion yourself with a mattress or
blankets
c. Do not attempt to ‘escape’ from a tornado, it will
catch you
2. Inside a mobile home
a. Get out!

13. Improving Structural Integrity
1. Installing storm proof doors on shelters
2. Fortifying garage doors
3. Fortifying trusses to exterior walls
4. Cover windows
5. Install ‘walls of concrete’
6. Move out of the area