Dispelling Tornado Myths, 6 June Call

See details below on a media call to help clarify issues that have been brought up about tornado safety.  it is important that "good information" make it into people's hands and minds so they can make good decisions.

 

Tornado Science and Safety Experts Host Virtual News Conference to
	Dispel Tornado Myths and Misinformation

Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)® brings together nation’s leading experts in tornado prediction, warning, safety and building to dispel myths that endanger the public and weaken building practices

 

WHEN:            Thursday, June 6

 

10:00 AM EDT to 10:50 AM EDT

 

WHAT: In light of recent tragedies from tornadoes in the Midwest, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is hosting a virtual news conference with leading experts in tornado safety, meteorology and construction to set the record straight on tornado safety and building practices. Participants will provide brief remarks with a Q&A period to follow via Adobe Connect or Twitter with #tornadosafety. Some of the myths up for discussion include:

 

 

Myth #1:                                   Driving away from a tornado is a good escape plan

 

Myth #2: All tornado watch, warning and alert systems are the same Myth #3: Nothing above ground can survive EF4 or EF5 tornadoes Myth #4: Building codes cannot make a difference in tornado outbreaks Myth #5: We cannot affordably build to withstand tornadoes

 

WHO:             10:00 – Welcome and Introduction of Speakers

 

10:05 – 10:10: Greg Carbin– Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service/NCEP Storm Prediction Center to discuss tornado forecasting, behavior and how the unpredictability of these storms make personal safety planning so important.

 

10:10 – 10:15: Walt Zaleski– Warning and Coordination Meteorologist, Southern Region, National Weather Service to discuss the importance of severe weather alerting and how NOAA Weather Radios work.

 

10:15 – 10:20: Leslie Chapman-Henderson– President and CEO, Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) to highlight importance and basic elements needed in a personal alerting system given tornado watch and warnings vary by community.

 

10:20 – 10:25: Larry Tanner—Texas Tech University Department of Construction Engineering and Engineering Technology to explain the facts about consistent performance of above-ground safe rooms and the types of safe rooms available. Mr. Tanner will also highlight case studies of safe room performance during the recent tornado outbreaks.

 

10:25 – 10:30: Dr. David Prevatt– Assistant Professor, University of Florida Wind Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering to discuss findings of past events and how most tornado damage occurs at or below EF3 tornadoes.


 

10:30 – 10:35: Randy Shackelford– Research Engineer/Code Specialist, Simpson Strong-Tie, former Texas Department of Insurance engineer and Texas Tech forensic engineering volunteer, to discuss how model building codes have changed to increase the wind resistance of homes as well as how affordable, beyond-code practices can be used to affordably build homes to withstand a majority of tornadoes up to EF3.

 

10:35 – 10:50: Question and Answer – Questions will be answered at the end of the session. Participants can ask questions through the Adobe Connect interface or via Twitter using

 

#tornadosafety.

 

HOW: Please contact Trenise Lyons at Trenise@flash.orgto RSVP to the Adobe Connect webinar. There are a limited number of seats available for the event. You will receive a follow-up email with additional log in information. Email Trenise Lyons or call 850-385-7233 ext. 114 or mobile at 305-926-6290 if you experience any difficulty or have any questions.

 

 

About FLASH

 

Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)®, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is the country's leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters. FLASH collaborates with more than 100 innovative and diverse partners that share its vision of making America a more disaster‐resistant nation including: BASF, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Florida Division of Emergency

 

Management, The Home Depot®, International Code Council, Kohler® Generators, National Weather Service, Portland Cement Association, RenaissanceRe, Simpson Strong-Tie®, State Farm™, USAA® and WeatherPredict Consulting Inc. In 2008, FLASH opened the interactive weather experience StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes® in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Learn more about FLASH and gain access to its free consumer resources by visiting www.flash.org orcalling (877) 221- SAFE (7233). Also, get timely safety tips to ensure that you and your family arealways well protected from natural and manmade disasters by subscribing to the FLASH blog – Protect Your Home in a FLASH.