Update to Significant Tornadoes

[Greg McLaughlin]

I was curious if anyone knew whether or not an update to Significant Tornadoes was in the making. The second edition only goes to 1995, and we have onviously had an incredible number of tornadoes in the U.S. since then. I am sure this would be of particular interest to most of us who have done the majority of if not all of our chasing since 1995. Anyone have some inside info on the future of Significant Tornadoes?

 

[Jeff Snyder]

Last I heard (from an old WX-CHASE discussion, perhaps) is that the publisher lost the master copy of "Significant Tornadoes". By "master copy", I mean THE copy. This means that, for an update to Sign. Tor. to be made, the original would have to be retyped from the beginning. Again, this is just a vague memory I have of a similar question made a couple of years ago (or maybe a little more recent). It still seems a bit odd since you would think there would be many copies (digitized, etc), in many different places, for such a book. I don't know much about how publishing books works, though.

 

[John Wetter]

I recall the same thing you did Jeff. The publisher had lost the plates after they had told Tom they had them.

-John

 

[beaudodson]

Perhaps someone else can pick the project up. To make a new edition - from 1995 to current - would not require additional work other than what would have to be done anyway. They might not be able to reprint the original book (which, at one time, was planned).

I am surprised to hear that the plates are missing.

 

[Bill Hark]

I talked with Tom Grazulis in early 2005 or 2006 when I was searching for amateur footage of eastern tornadoes for my DVD, "Eastern fury." I did ask him about a supplement to Significant Tornadoes. He told me that he was working on the next supplement and it should be out soon. That was a couple of years ago, and I've heard nothing since.

As for the original Significant Tornadoes, I doubt it will ever be printed again due to cost and the lost plates as mentioned earlier. There available used copies but the price averages in the mid $300's. Definitely a rare book.

I really hope Tom comes out with a supplement with more recent tornadoes. The detail of information in Significant Tornadoe is amazing. Clearly a lot of work.

Bill Hark

 

[JIM SELLARS]

Tom told me several years ago that the original "SIGNIFICANT TORNADOES" was self published and required an upfront deposit for set-up and printing costs....If I remember right it was between $40-$50 thousand...Since it was such a niche undertaking the costs far outweighed any value to reprint the first volume...As far as the second volume...I really (LIKE MOST) think it would be a benefit...A far greater service would be to improve the data base at The Tornado Project site and get the original "SIGNIFICANT TORNADOES" data compiled and accessible via the WW Web...Then add new data as it is created....( Bill got his post in while I typed mine...OOPS!!!)

 

[JIM SELLARS]

Tom also told me that if a large enough "PRE-SALE" could be guaranteed that he "might" consider a reprint of Volume1....

 

[beaudodson]

Tom told me several years ago that the original "SIGNIFICANT TORNADOES" was self published and required an upfront deposit for set-up and printing costs....If I remember right it was between $40-$50 thousand...Since it was such a niche undertaking the costs far outweighed any value to reprint the first volume...As far as the second volume...I really (LIKE MOST) think it would be a benefit...A far greater service would be to improve the data base at The Tornado Project site and get the original "SIGNIFICANT TORNADOES" data compiled and accessible via the WW Web...Then add new data as it is created....( Bill got his post in while I typed mine...OOPS!!!)

I agree with your comments.

 

[Greg McLaughlin]

I am considering purchasing a copy of the original Significant Tornadoes first edition since it may never well be printed again. $300 or so is a healthy investment, but it may be worth it as copies become more rare over time. As for an update, I surely hope he is working on the next edition. I know there are a lot of us out there with tornado pics and info over the past several years who would be willing to donate to the cause. I appreciate the info everyone has provided.

 

[Howard Robinson]

I would also consider buying a copy of the original Significant Tornadoes first edition as I agree with Greg, Its an investment for a book that very well may never been printed again.

 

[Amanda Farnham]

Curious if anyone has heard anything additional on this? Would love to see a new update on the Green Book.

 

[Scott A. Kampas]

Somewhere recently I heard that a new book is still in the works and also that Tom is working on a project concentrating on intense (F3+) tornadoes. I thought it was this interview from a few weeks ago http://www.theworld.org/2011/04/tornado-tom-grazulis/ , but I guess it was somewhere else.

 

[Jeff Wright]

Tom's videos are of far better quality than the usual documentary one would expect. I think he got some NRC funding some time ago. What with these stories, I wonder if a pitch could be made to do revised work:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/28/us-utilities-operations-tva-browns-idUSTRE73R3RT20110428
http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/...ister-Proof_122689214.html?storySection=story
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43187140/ns/us_news-environment/

Not that I am really worried, what with Fukishima in peoples minds keeping nuclear safety in front of folks minds, but it would be nice to see Tom get some funding.

A lot of research is coming from the medical field. Here Loring Rue and others document the April * 1998 Oak Grove Birmingham Alabama tornado
http://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Abs...il_8,_1998_Tornado__Assessment_of_the.14.aspx
This event was bookended between Jarrell of '97 and Moore of 99, so it was forgotten. I accompanied Matt Biddle as we revisited McDonald's Chapel, and interviewed survivors who suffered losses in 1998 as well.

The MMWR hasn't done much in the way of storm reports lately:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4907a1.htm http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00049839.htm
--but I would think the Journal of Trauma and the MMWR will report on Joplin, were I to hazard a guess.
http://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/pag...ournals.na.lww.com/content/jtrauma/2000/04000

 

[hazelmaryjackson]

Could it not be made available digitally and printed on demand?

 

[Amanda Farnham]

This would be a great option. I suppose they would have to worry about copyright infringement though, with people passing along the files and not compensating Tom for the work.