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Twisters Rock the Midwest: Student Discussion Points

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Just days after the deadliest storms ripped through Missouri, forecasters predicted that a second batch of storms would hit the already devastated area. Tornadoes in other states, including Kansas and Oklahoma, followed soon after.

Although in London on official business, President Barack Obama pledged to visit the beleaguered area and to make all emergency federal services available.

Among those federal services is the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). Already in the Joplin, MO area, FEMA is expected to be on site for the foreseeable future.

Below are some related points for discussion with students:

1. What is FEMA?

Created by Presidential Order in 1979, FEMA is the primary emergency response team at the federal level. FEMA’s stated mission is to “support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

2. What relief efforts are underway in Joplin, MO?

You may want to share points from this article with students:
Relief Effort Underway in Joplin, Mo.(DigitalJournal)

The article covers relief efforts such as:

  • Assessing damage
  • Providing medical and cleanup supplies
  • Providing medical and mental health services
  • Providing shelter and “comfort kits”
  • Rescuing and sheltering pets
  • Putting up temporary cellular telephone towers

3. How common are tornadoes?

The National Severe Storms Laboratory estimates that tornadoes are found most frequently in the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, during the spring and summer months.  The NSSL claims that in an average year, “800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.”

Related resource

Tornado Lesson Plan Ideas 
Site Review: The Perfect Disaster


Article by Jason Tomaszewski, EducationWorld Associate Editor
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