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The Alarming History of Tornado Warnings in America | From Silence to Sirens

Carly Anna WX

55,159 views

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Information Sources:
Scanning the Skies by Marlene Bradford
https://www.weather.gov/lmk/radar_his...
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/history/time...
https://archive.org/details/tornadoes...
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications...

Photos licensed through Alamy

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - 01:09 StormChaserCoaching
01:10 - 02:25 Introduction
02:26 - 04:16 Earliest American Observations
04:17 - 10:09 1800's Tornado Forecasting
10:10 - 20:03 Pushback and Controversy
20:04 - 25:57 First Tornado Forecast
25:58 - 31:37 Slow Progression and Resistance
31:38 - 34:24 1970's Sweeping Change
34:25 - 35:21 1980's Consistency
35:22 - 40:42 Turn of the Century
40:43 - 45:16 Present State and Future
45:17 - 48:23 End
48:24 - 49:24 Bloopers

MUSIC
Aisling Rise by Cody Martin: SPZHBIW0MEB3AA7S
Old Magic by Cody Martin: 7DUESC24NMH1KOGD
Out of Sight by Awyr: XQBCL1MKNTMBEJ2Z
Starseed by Wayfair: 15AOKHTIGQWPKXQY
River’s Edge by Druid Falls: NFMR2FER19C2J66W
Heart of Ireland by Cody Martin: BCLPG1PHBOAYWZJG
Saying Goodbye by Cody Martin: ZJETO6JIAMBAOPYO
Meridian Moon by Cody Martin: MMEJTEFOQ0I1ZUOB
The Forgotten Kingdom by Moments: ZRF4GAESKR3FYOIP
Miami Sunsets by Neon Beach: KUKTO88GLXTRRH8I
Taped by Acreage: 7IQ1AUWHO3U1HMNS
Aurora by Featherland: JPYH35LTRYGUDXSB
VHS by Falls: TY2TTAPPZFPRQP4E

20 Comments

@OfficialSilverThunder710 1 year ago

I love how each tornado YouTuber has a different style. Pecos Hank focuses on the beauty of nature, Reed Timmer the adrenaline of the chase, Celton Henderson and High Risk Chris the narrative, and you focus on the psychology of the storms. It’s awesome to hear different perspectives on storm chasing

@DerDane44 1 year ago

You’re the only YouTuber who really does a deep dive on the psychology of warnings and the history of this stuff. Very niche and interesting, love your content

@DewgittyDewg 1 year ago

Idk where I found this channel but if tornadoes led you here. Trust me when I say you are in the right place.

@eon_visuals 1 year ago

I recently made a video about Nepal’s only recorded tornado (I’m from Nepal). While researching for it, I came across your channel and ended up learning a lot about the Daulatpur-Saturia tornado (the deadliest in history) which happened just across the border in Bangladesh. Just wanted to say thank you for all the amazing contents. It’s incredible to know that your work is reaching and inspiring people all the way on the other side of the world!

@earlymorningtwilight9119 1 year ago

I have major storm anxiety. I grew up in Iowa, and every time there was a tornado watch, I would wear my shoes to bed, pack all of my best loved stuffed animals into a pillow case and then beg my mom to sleep in the bathtub. Watching videos like yours really helps me to get a grip on what is happening and how I can prepare and keep safe. Thank you.

@pegsiciliano8858 1 year ago

I am a professional, degreed historian who is also fascinated by tornados : ). I love your presentation, depth of knowledge and accuracy. Thank You for interesting and sensitive videos.

@jonathantrevino2308 1 year ago

Howdy, Carly!! As a person who earned a degree in meteorology (and a history buff), I really enjoy your videos and Swegle Studios' content on meteorology. Most of the terminology you use in your videos is very familiar, and it brings back memories of my time learning meteorology in university. I'm looking forward to future historical videos on your channel. Keep up the great work!

@jp27whodey 1 year ago

Growing up in the 70s, i had no idea that our school's tornado drills were among the first to ever be done. Looking back tho it makes sense, cause they had us shelter in the gymnasium with huge windows😂😂

@pirwzy 1 year ago

This channel has taught me that we know way way more about tornados than I grew up thinking. I thought they were completely unpredictable and scary because of it. I know they are more predictable, but the scariness has only gotten worse learning what kind of power they really have.

@Franciehatescoffeeicecream 1 year ago

New hair is a slay

@Og-Judy 1 year ago

With cuts to NOAA , not sure of timing but your local NWS office has storm spotter classes. The more we have spotters on the ground reporting back to NWS to get info to pared down staff to put out timely warnings

@EthanThompson-z1b 1 year ago (edited)

I’m in my second year of an Earth and Atmospheric Science degree and i’ve been obsessed with tornadoes since I was ~6. I can confidently say this channel had the best tornado documentaries on youtube.

@KMHrock89 1 year ago

Hi Carly from a fellow Storm Chaser Coaching founding member 🙂 I appreciate these breakdowns and the history of tornado warnings, the challenges that the meteorologists faced. One week ago my town garnered national news when Somerset, KY was hit by an EF4 tornado. I think about the people directly affected and basically I don’t want them to fear the next storm we get, but be prepared for the possibility of it. I appreciate your content for focusing on the psychological and social impacts of severe weather. You rock.

@AtkinsonAcres36 1 year ago

I used to have the biggest storm anxiety as a kid. I’d literally hide under the bed and plug my ears and close my eyes. Now I’m obsessed

@CortHiatt328 1 year ago

Carly…I never realized you had a fear of storms. I grew up terrified of them, still have a tiny bit of fear. We had a tornado knock off the siding of our house and it banged against the house. My parents would time how long it would take us to get to their bed whenever there were storms. But I love weather history and did 2 papers in school on historical storms

@Blue10AEMia 1 year ago

Growing up I was terrified of weather, and I remember several times my dad waking us up and making us get in the hallway in the middle of the night. Now I work on tornado sirens full time here in central Georgia. It's almost like the story has come full circle.

@peter-n9w5j 1 year ago

🌪I agree with the general notion that the severe wx community is a diverse group with different ways of approaching what they do. I believe also that each contribution adds to our understanding of tornadoes in every conceivable aspect. Never forget this ... whatever their motivation initially may have been, ALL chasers / spotters know that they provide the "on the ground" confirmation that the radar alone can't provide. They know that you sometimes have to "risk it for the biscuit". Never stop chasing! 🌪

@michellefleenor5854 1 year ago

My husband’s grandfather Richard Garrett a meteorologist from Topeka Kansas was the inventor of Tornado Sirens

@kathyroux7386 1 year ago

Hi from St. Louis. On Friday afternoon, May 16, 2025, an EF-3 tore through downtown St. Louis City killing 5 people. The tornado sirens were never activated. Per the mayor, the protocols were not exactly clear on who was supposed to activate the siren system. Nobody did. While the sirens would have not warned people in vehicles or buildings, it was around 2:40 PM. Many people were outside. Perhaps it would have saved lives.
After urgent press conferences, the Mayor’s suspension of the Emergency Management Director, and multiple days of siren testing, the city’s protocol is now VERY clear whose duty it is to activate the city’s sirens system.
You had ONE job.