100 likes | 231 Views
The Tornado of April 5, 1972 Washington and Oregon. Kyla Harrison and Riley Cooper Meteorology 101 August 18, 2010. How it Happened. On April 5, 1972, an F3 tornado struck southern Washington at 12:51 PM
E N D
The Tornado of April 5, 1972Washington and Oregon Kyla Harrison and Riley Cooper Meteorology 101 August 18, 2010
How it Happened • On April 5, 1972, an F3 tornado struck southern Washington at 12:51 PM • The tornado formed from a super cell thunderstorm originating in Portland, OR. This storm was unnaturally strong, causing structural damage, uprooted trees, and the destruction of the roof of a warehouse on Pacific Highway in Tigard. Winds documented in the area were between 50-120 MPH during the storm. • http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060724231744/uncyclopedia/images/4/49/Thunderstorm.jpg
The funnel cloud caused by the massive thunderstorm first touched down along the southern edge of the Columbia River, near Marine Drive at around 12:50 PM. • The tornado moved north, crossed the Columbia River, and traveled into southeast Vancouver. • The tornado was mostly obscured to onlookers due to mud and debris. • The tornado continued its rampage for 9 miles into rural Brush Prairie before dissipating. • http://media.katu.com/images/090908_enumclaw_tornado_home.jpg
Damage • In Oregon, the tornado damaged or destroyed over 50 boats in the Marine Drive area • In Washington, the tornado destroyed a Waremart grocery store, Peter S. Ogden Elementary School, and a bowling alley. • Damage in Washington was estimated at around $6 million
Waremart Grocery Store in rubble172nd and 4th Plain http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/large/46c022a5-e661-4d99-8689-3b9351442209.jpg
Waremart ruins are in upper left corner; Bowling alley in the lower right http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/01/large_tornado5.JPG
Injury and Mortality • The tornado injured around 300 people, 70 of which were school children in the demolished elementary school. • 6 people died due to the storm • The tornado was the deadliest for 1972 • http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/01/medium_tornado2.JPG
Students and faculty from Fort Vancouver High School rushed to the collapsed elementary school, digging through debris to rescue survivors. • http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/e6135541-a408-4782-b8ae-2849667192fe.jpg
Why the Tornado is Interesting • Tornadoes are altogether rare in the Pacific Northwest, especially F3 variety • The tornado touched down in a populated area • The tornado is still considered the most destructive west of the Rockies
References • “Tornado of April 5, 1972, Vancouver, Washington.” The Columbian. 6 Sep 1972. Waymark. Groundspeak, Inc. http://www.waymarking.com/wm/details.aspx?f=1&guid=5361b209-8bc3-430b-bd7f-eb1df084d896 • Rose, Joseph. The Oregonian. “Tornadoes come to the Northwest, but not with Midwest Frequency.” 10 Jan 2008. http://www.oregonlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2008/01/tornado_warnings_recall_deadly.html • “National Weather Service Forecast Office: Portland, OR: Some of the Area’s Tornadoes.” National Weather Service. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/paststorms/tornado.php