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US Scientists Try to Figure Out Why Some Don't Flee Tornadoes

Megan Duzor

   Following a severe tornado earlier this year in Alabama that killed 23
   people, scientists interviewed residents in the area to find out why
   the storm was so deadly and made an important finding: almost everyone
   had heard the warnings about the impending storm and had enough time to
   seek shelter, but some chose not to.
   "From a national standpoint, a media standpoint, forecasters did a
   great job" predicting the March storm in eastern Alabama, Stephen
   Strader, an atmospheric scientist at Villanova University, said. "But
   why did we see 23 fatalities? Why didn't they take shelter?"
   
   These questions are a central part of new research that is being
   conducted in collaboration between physical scientists, like Strader,
   and social scientists to try to determine why people behave the way
   they do during a storm, including whether they choose to seek shelter
   or not.

   The goal of the research is to provide more information to forecasters
   and policymakers to create better tornado warning systems.
   Strader said that as a physical scientist, his job is to look at all
   the physical factors of a storm, including "how wide was it, where did
   the tornado track, how many homes were damaged."

   He said social scientists, on the other hand, try to find out more
   information about people's choices. "We want to understand the
   decision-making about tornado warnings. If a warning comes, what do you
   do?" he asked.

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