Introduction
There is minimal scientific evidence about how tornadoes occur exactly. This weather phenomenon has been documented widely, but the violent nature of its occurrence proves a significant limitation to the ability of scientists to collect conclusive data pertinent to establishing the exact causes. A tornado is a column of rotating air that rises from the ground to the center of a thunderstorm (Refan & Hangan, 2018). It rotates at very high speeds creating a centripetal force that pulls loose objects to within its vicinity to its core creating projectiles.
Available information from Refan and Hangan (2018) suggests that tornadoes result from super-cells, a term that refers to thunderstorms that rotate within a mesocyclone. A mesocyclone is a thunderstorm whose path and strength can be plotted using radar technology and geo-mapping techniques. A hypothesis from the VORTEX2 program indicates that temperature variations as the mesocyclone develops are likely to cause the rotation since a downdraft air warp causes a vacuum that absorbs atmospheric matter to upset the difference. Tornadoes remain significantly misunderstood despite the data available.
Impact
The Tennessee tornadoes caused widespread destruction of property and loss of lives across five U.S. states on the night of December 11. Notably, Kentucky was hit worst, leaving businesses, government, and private buildings irreparably damaged. A case in point is a candle factory flattened in Mayfield town before the destructive force proceeded to Bowling Green and its peripheral counties of Cheatham, Decatur, Dyer, Henderson, Clay, Lake, Madison, Obion, Davidson, and Trousdale. It is documented in Nashville, Tennessee, to be the most destructive tornado sequence in the state’s history. More than ninety people lost their lives in that duration (U.S. Department of Commerce, n.d.). Sixteen tornadoes directly impacted the residents of Middle Tennessee by December 28. Three tornadoes were category three EF-2, and seven were in the EF-0 category ranking as the fifth largest series of tornado occurrences in that region.
Impact Mitigation Efforts
The Federal government issued an emergency declaration on December 13, 2021, for some Tennessee counties such as Cheatham, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Gibson, Lake, Obion, Stewart, and Weakley, as noted by Choi and Wehde (2020). The declaration was meant to give these counties federal aid and humanitarian assistance to boost emergency response initiatives in mitigating the effects of the tornadoes. Local authorities have consequently embarked on a web-based response aimed at helping survivors to find the necessary monetary and humanitarian support that will mitigate the effects of the disaster.
Post tornado challenges in Tennessee
Communities that have experienced disaster need a multivariate approach to their challenges; the biggest challenge being inadequate funding for reconstruction. There are solutions ranging from mass psychological therapy to extensive funding for reconstruction (“Joint Damage Reviews,” n.d.). The Tennessee community needs the federal government’s funding to adequately restore the community to full functional capacity.
Conclusion
Tennessee has been faced with a lack of community and federal support to recuperate and recover fully. Joint reviews between local, state, and federal agencies have been ongoing since December 20, 2021, to determine whether it qualifies for additional funding and secondary assistance (“Joint Damage Reviews,” n.d.). This Joint sitting’s deliberations have clearly shown inadequate commitment from government agencies and a downgrading of the net effects of the disaster.
References
Choi, J., & Wehde, W. (2020). Trust in emergency management authorities and individual emergency preparedness for tornadoes. Risk, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy, 11(1), 12-34.
Refan, M., & Hangan, H. (2018). Near surface experimental exploration of tornado vortices. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 175, 120-135.
US Department of Commerce, N. (n.d.). December 10-11, 2021 Tornado Outbreak.