Caught In The Path:

Caught In The Path:A Tornados Fury, A Communitys Rebirth

Presented by Carlos Scott

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

The AuthorSurvivor 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

Paths Beginning: The CauseThe Cause of TornadosDetection Technology of the Time

Look At This Cloud: The StormEarly Warning SystemMindset

Like A Thousand Jets: The EventWhen 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 wideMoving 42 mph500 mph winds

Last People On Earth: The Aftermath39 Dead 531 Injuries$75 Million in Property DamagesMartial law was declared in the Ruskin Heights - Hickman Mills area to expedite relief work, stop looting and keep out sight-seers.

Fatalities In the Kansas City (Ruskin Heights) Tornado of 5-20-1957AMMA MARSH, Ottawa, Kan.JAMES MARSH, Ottawa, Kan.ISAM DAVIS, Spring Hill, Kan.BARBARA DAVIS, Spring Hill, Kan.PAMELA DAVIS, 6, Spring Hill, Kan.TAMARA DAVIS, 5, Spring Hill, Kan.LOWELL ATKINSON, 50, Martin City, Mo.MARGARET SMITH, 24, Martin City, Mo.BESSIE SMITH, 49, Grandview, Mo.JOSEPH VINCHIER, 75, Grandview, Mo.RANDALL McGILL, 3 1/2, Grandview, Mo.EDWARD HENTON, Grandview, Mo.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.

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

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

Other SourcesWhen 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.

My AnalysisInadequate detection systemLittle understanding of storm development by weather services and the average citizens. Most of the homes had no basementsLack of adequate early-warning system (Such as the Emergency Broadcast System) and sirens.

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.

Significance To EMDevelopment of EBS and now EASDevelopment of the WSR-88D (Doppler) Radar NetworkSiren and early warning systems in High-Risk areasMore information and training on the nature of tornados and how to shelter from themBetter design and mitigation when building homes

ReferencesBietler, S. (2008, March 29). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www3.gendisasters.com/kansas/5958/kansas-city-mo-tornado-rips-through-city-may-1957Larazus, Jimerson, Brock. (n.d.). Responding to natural disasters: Helping children and families. Retrieved from http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/naturaldisaster_teams_ho.aspxNational 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=ruskinheightstornadoNew 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=PA27Ruskin 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.htmlRuskin heights tornado memorial . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ruskinheightstornado.tripod.com