A Pictorial Description of the Xenia Tornado

Abstract

This session attempts to portray: 1) the nature of disaster, 2) the human response to such events, and 3) what can be done in the way of planning. This presentation focuses on describing in detail the events surrounding the Xenia tornado of 3 April 1974. Slides are presented showing the size and path of the storm. A pictorial description of devastation along this ground track are provided, sometimes with a before/after comparison. Special emphasis is placed on the force of the storm and special circumstances that arise due to a combination of interacting factors. Anecdotal examples of operational and personal problems encountered in this disaster are highlighted in the commentary accompanying the slide presentation.

The slide materials used are a collage of personal and professional photographic efforts with a corresponding variation in candor and quality. The presentation has evolved from earlier, less formal attempts to capture and communicate the nature of the problem for those who wish to explore human factors research in disaster situations. The author invites comments and questions. Selected photographic materials may be obtained by contacting the author.

This presentation serves as an introduction to the session and provides a graphic example of a specific disaster. Subsequent papers then explore the elements common to many different types of disasters, indicating the kinds of generalizations which can be drawn from previous empirical field studies of disasters or disaster related events.

This session is one of two being held on the topic of disaster. It focuses primarily on the nature of disaster from an operational and phenomenological standpoint. The companion session which follows treats more specific design issues believed to be of interest to human factors and industrial design specialists. Together, these two sessions are believed to provide an integrated and complementary overview of key principles, issues, design problems and current proposals for design for disaster. No claim can be made that the coverage is exhaustive, but it is hope the sessions will serve to represent what is known and what needs to be done.