rdale
EF5
No, I don't believe that to be true. Trees are not blasted by upwards moving winds.
Greensburg anecdote
- Thread starter Bob Hartig
- Start date
Willie Dines
EF3
rdale, please try reading my reply again, but try not to read through it as quickly this time, as you're missing my point completely 
Willie (having the feeling that rdale is trying to wind me up lol)
Willie (having the feeling that rdale is trying to wind me up
lol)
rdale
EF5
Honestly - I'm reading slowly and nobody is winding anybody. I don't believe that the angle of the rotational updraft has any impact when it comes to large vs small diameter tornadoes.
Dave Lewison
EF1
Have to agree with Mr. Dale here...
I've seen this type of damage in hurricanes before, and this takes a LONG time to ramp up windspeed at any given location. Typical deciduous trees would de-leaf and lose many of their branches. And as the leaves/branches seperate, the remaining tree "skeleton" has much less wind resistance, and so it's able to withstand the more powerful winds and still stay upright. But if you hit the tree with the most powerful winds all at once, there's no time for leaves to shed, and the tree just snaps from the sudden force. This is just a theory of course, but it seems to make more logical sense to me than a tree getting ripped vertically out of the ground.
There's a section in Reed Timmer's May 4th up-close & personal tornado video that shows a tree getting smacked suddenly by the violent winds, and it just gets flattened instantly, whereas trees near it (not in the direct path) just get de-branched.
I've seen this type of damage in hurricanes before, and this takes a LONG time to ramp up windspeed at any given location. Typical deciduous trees would de-leaf and lose many of their branches. And as the leaves/branches seperate, the remaining tree "skeleton" has much less wind resistance, and so it's able to withstand the more powerful winds and still stay upright. But if you hit the tree with the most powerful winds all at once, there's no time for leaves to shed, and the tree just snaps from the sudden force. This is just a theory of course, but it seems to make more logical sense to me than a tree getting ripped vertically out of the ground.
There's a section in Reed Timmer's May 4th up-close & personal tornado video that shows a tree getting smacked suddenly by the violent winds, and it just gets flattened instantly, whereas trees near it (not in the direct path) just get de-branched.
Willie Dines
EF3
Well, in that case, point noted and well taken , but the tree in Reed Timer's video, was flatten by a sharp and sudden downdraft, not by the tornado itself, as it was Jeff Miller that pointed it out first, on a previous thread
Willie (Happily standing corrected)
, but the tree in Reed Timer's video, was flatten by a sharp and sudden downdraft, not by the tornado itself, as it was Jeff Miller that pointed it out first, on a previous thread Willie (Happily standing corrected)
Allan Detrich
All: Here is a link to a video I did from the night the tornado Hit Greensburg, Ks. My storm chase team MESO aided in search and rescue, triage and general aid. Members present that night were Nancy Bose, Randy Denzer, me, Sam Furman, Chris Howell, Josh Jans, Brian McNoldy, and Shane Motley. I think you will find this compelling. Many of the people helping are MESO members. Thanks
View the video CLICK HERE
View the video CLICK HERE
Bob Hartig
EF5
Allan, that is awesome and downright moving. Thank you for sharing it; it captures the spirit of this thread. Parts of your video had me choked up. I'm so glad you chronicled this intensely human drama. As amazing as it is that you and the MESO team survived being caught in that monster, what's no less impressive is that you turned around directly afterwards and headed back to Greensburg to help. God bless you and your team for that. You're The Stuff.
Hank Baker
EF1
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2006
- Messages
- 66
My wife's Aunt and Uncle live in Greensburg. They lost everything. They fortunaly were in the basement and came out unharmed. They were trapped for a few hours. We went up this past Sunday to see them. He is the Postmaster in Greensburg. All of there needs seem to be being met very well.
By the way, they said the Bill Gates foundation donated 30 million dollars to rebuild the school system. I thought that was impressive, and will probably be one of the most important reasons the town will be rebuilt..
By the way, they said the Bill Gates foundation donated 30 million dollars to rebuild the school system. I thought that was impressive, and will probably be one of the most important reasons the town will be rebuilt..
Willie Dines
EF3
Awesome 
, I'm glad that your aunt and uncle survived unharmed and it's even better news to hear, that there's $30M going to the education system in Greensburg, it just goes to show, that no force of nature can keep a good town down
Willie
, I'm glad that your aunt and uncle survived unharmed and it's even better news to hear, that there's $30M going to the education system in Greensburg, it just goes to show, that no force of nature can keep a good town down Willie
