I feel it is time for BOM to start to take responsibility. We are constantly bombarded with many people in the public thinking "we don't get tornadoes in Australia", TV reports are "it was like a Mini Tornado", etc etc. Never admitting it was a tornado, even when someone has captured the funnel and a touch down on video and it is played on the news only to disappear from further viewing. I strongly feel the problem lies with the fact that they will have to admit they needed to take the responsibility for the lack of education and communication between the public and the authorities involved as to the severity and intensity of the storms and the fact that we are frequently hit with tornadoes.
There is the issue of our building code and standards as regard to homes and buildings to withstand these storms, and more importantly the fact that our homes are not constructed with storm shelters. I am a builder, and the relevant costs to bomb or storm proof your laundry area (enough room for a family) is minimal in comparison with the other changes taking place with our energy efficient/ sustainable housing programme. Interesting though after the Nov 16th storm, The CYCLONE TESTING STATION School of Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville did an Investigation of performance of housing, in Brisbane, following the storms of 16 and 19 November 2008. There is rumoured that changes have to, and will take place.
(I found it amazing that approx. 1990 our cyclonic wind rating was changed from North of King ST. Caboolture QLd to around the Rockhampton QLD area.
Someone has the power to tell a cyclone it is no longer allowed to pass Rockhampton. Therefore this led to our tie down method being downgraded. What a mistake.)
Then you have the argument that it was not a tornado but a Micro burst, It was amazing that no one lost there lives in that storm of Nov 16th 2008. Honestly sit down and look at the many hundreds of pictures and see how many houses were severely or completely destroyed by a micro burst.
Whether it be a Microburst or tornado is relevant, when in fact, either has the potential to take many lives. A warning system needs to be put in place, maybe even a siren system similiar to USA. Most people take the storms here in Brisbane so casually, thinking nothing will happen to me. Then they are horrified after it hit, and how lucky they were to survive.
An education on the part of BOM and the public has to start, there has to be an education that there will be false alarms, an education that mistake will be made, an education that storms are unpredictable but take the precautions necessary and an education of what people need to do to protect themselves where ever they may be at the time of the storm.
Storms are gaining strength, but an attitude of "she will be right mate" may just costs many lives.
It is a serious Question and important one. Someone has to start the ball rolling. I am trying my bit, but with the information and pictures people associated with this forum have, and their knowledge of storms, could it start here, whether it is a microburst, a tornado or severe weather pattern etc.
Saving lives is important. Our climate is changing or shifting, who really knows what we are in for. The movie "The day after tomorrow" , 2 disc version has some very important documentaries to the movie, intersting viewing.
Cheers.
