Mike Smith
EF5
Almost exactly one year ago, the memorial dedicated to those who perished in the F-5 May 20, 1957, Ruskin Heights Tornado was destroyed when a speeding car with teenage boys slammed into it.
For the past year, the Ruskin Homeowners Association and others have been involved in creating and paying (no small task) a new memorial. It will be re-dedicated Saturday, October 18, at 10am. The new memorial will have something of special significance to the readers of StormTrack: there will be addition plaque explaining the first-ever government tornado warnings that will issued that evening. The full details are here: Ruskin Heights Tornado Memorial Dedication I have no included a photo of the new memorial as I would like you to see it for yourself.
I will be one of the speakers to talk about how weather science saved so many lives that evening and, especially, how that tornado inspired three meteorologists who would play significant roles in creating and improving the tornado warning system: Dennis Smith (a founding meteorologist of The Weather Channel, no relation to me), the legendary Les Lemon (of NSSL, NSSFC and, while the 88D's were being developed Unisys) and yours truly.
This invitation to attend is extended to every member of Stormtrack because each of us is an important part of the tornado warning system. If you are win attendance, please feel free to say hello.
P.S. If you would like a preview of the memorial, KC's Channel 41 (NBC) is interview me and the head of the homeowners association Tuesday morning and it should run on Tuesday evening's newscasts.
For the past year, the Ruskin Homeowners Association and others have been involved in creating and paying (no small task) a new memorial. It will be re-dedicated Saturday, October 18, at 10am. The new memorial will have something of special significance to the readers of StormTrack: there will be addition plaque explaining the first-ever government tornado warnings that will issued that evening. The full details are here: Ruskin Heights Tornado Memorial Dedication I have no included a photo of the new memorial as I would like you to see it for yourself.
I will be one of the speakers to talk about how weather science saved so many lives that evening and, especially, how that tornado inspired three meteorologists who would play significant roles in creating and improving the tornado warning system: Dennis Smith (a founding meteorologist of The Weather Channel, no relation to me), the legendary Les Lemon (of NSSL, NSSFC and, while the 88D's were being developed Unisys) and yours truly.
This invitation to attend is extended to every member of Stormtrack because each of us is an important part of the tornado warning system. If you are win attendance, please feel free to say hello.
P.S. If you would like a preview of the memorial, KC's Channel 41 (NBC) is interview me and the head of the homeowners association Tuesday morning and it should run on Tuesday evening's newscasts.
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