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Tornado Survivor
This is a story about Dr. Elliot Marcus. His life was changed forever on November 15, 1989.
“On that particular day it was, it was a day that was stormy off and on, and it was windy and a lot of it. But I don't recall anybody saying we were under a tornado watch or anything. Just a lot of severe thunderstorms. And I had been over to Huntsville Hospital and left there after 4:00. I looked outside and I said oh, I better get home. It was looking pretty bad. I thought well instead of staying put which is what now I would do, I decided this was a good time to get in my car and drive home.
As I got to Whitesburg and Airport, I looked over to my right and I saw this looked like a black curtain it's the only way I can describe it. And I thought oh that looks terrible and it didn't register in my mind until I turned the corner to go up over Carl T. Jones and when I made that turn I realized that was a tornado.
I just simply ducked down literally I bent forward to the left side of the steering wheel more or less and just waiting. Put the car in park and just waited.
The pressure was impressive on that. To feel that. The pressure changes and the windows beginning to break out. I could feel that. Then the car was just tossed or turned things were hitting it. I could not have told you what was happening at that point. My only thoughts were that I was going to be killed. This was the way I was going to die.”
Lucky for his family and his patients, Dr. Marcus did survive the killer tornado of 1989, and that storm taught lots of lessons.
As Dr. Marcus says, he had to learn to live differently. You see, he lost his left hand in the tornado. But that's not the only lesson; Dr. Marcus says a lot has changed since that November day and in many ways for the better. We've gotten much better in giving more information and valuable information to the public. Getting it to them quickly and the information gives people a much better chance of preparing themselves; preparation time Dr. Marcus didn't have.
48 Stormteam Severe Weather Policy
That deadly tornado taught us many lessons. Lessons that helped form the way we relay information to you when severe weather moves into the valley. It’s so important that we get accurate weather information to you as quickly as possible.That’s why we've set up these severe weather guidelines.
Any time, a 48 Stormteam meteorologist determines there is a possibility of loss of life or property, we will provide wall to wall comprehensive coverage of the situation so you can take cover if necessary.
If the situation is severe, but not life threatening we will alert you with Storm Warn at the bottom of your screen and we will break-in with pertinent information as the storm warrants.
The 48 Stormteam staffs the Weather Lab at all times when the valley is threatened with severe weather.
It’s important to note we will always pass along information from the National Weather Service, but we do operate independently of the National Weather Service.
When storms develop, you will get the information from the 48 Stormteam first.
Severe Weather Months
Severe weather can strike at any time, but there are some months when weather is more active. November is one of those months and this is why.
During the month of November, the atmosphere is in a state of change. Basically, summer is trying to hold on and winter is trying to move in. So at this time the warm and humid air is already in place.
As winter begins to move in strong cold fronts collide with the warm moist air, which sets the stage for dramatic changes in our weather.
Tornado History
The tornado of 1989 did hit in November. Many of you probably have pictures stashed away as a memory of the devastation left behind by the tornado.
We wanted to take you on a unique look back with a comparison of the then and now.
The year was 1989, the day, November 15th, the time, 4:57 p.m. An incredible book documents the destruction of that day.
12-years ago Carl T. Jones down to Airport Road was demolished. Today it's bustling again.
Pete Needham says, "Couldn't imagine the, uh, damage that it did along Airport Road. Totally, I mean there was nothing left, everything was gone."
A woman was killed after being smashed against the door of her home on Toney Road.
That same door is freshly painted and looks like new today.
The Firestone on Airport Road was also damaged. Today is business as usual. Needham adds, "I don't think anybody realized the extent of the damage until well afterwards."
On November 15, 1989, Jones Valley Elementary School was full of children. They all got out. That same school today is back to normal.
Faith Presbyterian Church lost its steeple in the 89 twister, today that steeple is back in its proper place.
And the Waterford Square Apartments were ripped apart 12-years ago and those apartments today are serving as homes.
Storm Lab Tour
The 48 Stormteam would like to invite you to take a look at our newest weather tool, the 48 Stormteam Weather Lab.
The Weather Lab will enable us to get on the air faster with the most accurate severe weather information.
The weather lab includes the severe weather desk, the telestrator, VIPIR and live Doppler 48 radar.
VIPIR
The key to staying safe during severe weather is in knowing where the storm is and where it's headed.
We have the technology to show you exactly where a tornado is forming, so you can get away from it.
It’s called VIPIR.
Tornado Safety
You know what kind of damage a tornado can leave behind. But would you know what to do if you were in a twister's path? The safest place to be is inside your home. And you want to head straight for the basement if you have one.
If you don't have a basement, seek shelter in a closet or bathroom. The key: to make sure there are no windows in the room.
Think low and think small.
One thing you can do before the storm is to establish a "safe place" inside your home. Again, you may choose a closet or bathroom. But whatever your choice, make sure every family member, including children, knows where the "safe place" is. That way when the storm hits everyone has a better chance of surviving.
Also, if you're in a car or mobile home when a storm is coming get out. The majority of people killed during tornadoes are caught in a vehicle or a mobile home.
Your cue to get ready is when your county is placed under a tornado watch.
WAFF.COM
You don't have to wait until news time to find out what the weather will be like. Forecasts are available right at your fingertips. Our website, waff.com gives you the most up-to-date information, 24-hours a day.
That includes information you need to know everyday, such as the 7-day planner.
And when severe weather strikes, you can count on waff.com to give you severe weather information as it happens.
You can also get weather watches and warnings on your pager or cellular phone by subscribing on line to "48 Weather Warn"
Live Doppler 48 Radar
Another tool we use to show you what the weather will be like is Live Doppler 48 Radar. Live Doppler 48 radar is the most advanced live television Doppler radar in north Alabama.
Flash Flooding
A lot of rain can fall in a short amount of time. And if you take a chance with the water, it could cost you your life.
You may remember just two months ago, heavy rain quickly washed out much of the valley.
Dennis Leftwich and his son, Denny clung to a tree for an hour while they waited for rescue workers to help them.
They were driving along a county road when a gush of water slammed into their car. The men say they never saw it coming.
Here are some things to remember next time flooding or flash flooding threatens. If you're inside or outside, and the water starts rising, leave quickly for higher ground. Don’t try to walk or drive through flooded areas. Water that looks shallow can actually run very deep.
Flash flooding and floods are the number one weather-related killer, with around 140-deaths recorded in the U.S. every year and most people killed in flash flooding are actually killed in their cars.
Weather Radios
Channel 48 isn't the only means of finding out how close severe weather is to your home. If the power goes out, and you can't watch TV, you can still hear where the storm is if you have a "NOAA" weather radio.
"NOAA" weather radios broadcast weather forecasts from the National Weather Service 24-hours a day, with frequent updates on watches and warnings.
Weather radios you may have used in the past probably sounded whenever there was severe weather, even if it was nowhere near your home.
But there's a feature on "NOAA" weather radios that lets you decide when the alarm will sound. It’s called 'Specific Area Message Encoding’ or 'SAME'. If you buy a "NOAA" radio with 'SAME' capabilities, you can set it so it will sound only when severe weather is in your county or near your home. That’s a warning that could save your life.
Most electronic stores sell "NOAA" weather radios. They're really not that expensive, they cost between $25 and $100.
Tornado Drills
I'll bet if I asked any of you boys and girls what you'd do if a tornado hit, you could give the right answer. And you probably learned what to do while you were at school.
Your teachers help you practice tornado safety all year long. When the tornado siren rings, you walk out of class, sit in the hallway, and cover your head.
Protecting your head and neck is very important.
If you ever have any questions about what to do during a tornado drill, you can ask your teacher.
You should also make sure your mom and dad tell you where to go if bad weather comes while you're at home.
48 Stormteam Storm Chasing Network
The 48 Stormteam has an opportunity for you. We will hold classes throughout the valley during the month of November that you can attend. You will learn how to spot storms, what to look for and how to become a part of our Storm Chasing Network.
If you are interested in learning how to storm chase, classes will be held every Tuesday during November.
To sign up call 256-564-5664 or click on the link on the right hand side that says “Join the 48 Storm Chasers Network”.
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