Impact of Tornadoes on Ecosystems
There are about a thousand tornadoes every year in the United States. Tornadoes are different than other natural disasters because they are confined to a relatively small area. Tornadoes have a relatively small effect on the overall ecosystem. However, the areas where tornadoes strike are greatly impacted. Trees and plants can be uprooted, and diseases in the soil are spread. Wildlife loses their lives or habitat.
Effects of tornadoes on the ecosystem may not be all negative. The possibility that tornadoes are responsible for certain small animal and plant life being spread throughout parts of the United States are being researched by biologists.
Effects of tornadoes on the ecosystem may not be all negative. The possibility that tornadoes are responsible for certain small animal and plant life being spread throughout parts of the United States are being researched by biologists.
Tornadoes in Texas
A day after Mother's Day in 1953, the deadliest tornado in Texas history struck shortly after 4 pm. It touched down north of the town of Lorena and began moving North-Northeast toward Waco. The storm developed a hook shaped echo. It was nearly 1/3 of a mile wide and a massive F5 tornado that crossed Waco on a path that ran almost south to north. Killing 114 people and injuring 597, it destroyed around 600 homes and other building and damaged over 1000, including 2000 vehicles. Survivors had to wait up to 14 hours for rescue.
The Goliad Tornado struck May 18, 1902. It is the second deadliest tornado in Texas, killing 114 people, the same as Waco, but is number two because having injured less people, 250. It is believed it touched down just before 4 pm near Berclair, about 15 miles southwest of Goliad, and moved on a track tooard the northeast. It was about 1/8 of a mile wide and a F4 tornado that crossed the San Antonio River southwest of Goliad and moved into the town. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed.