On March 3rd, a Sunday, a deadly EF-3 tornado hit Eastern Alabama and Northern Florida. In Lee County, located in Alabama, the tornado took 23 lives, two of the victims were young children. Many survivors stated that they were caught by surprise by the tornado and had little time to react. Homes, businesses, and schools were torn
from their foundations by the tornado. Debris is littered everywhere, and authorities are worried that once the search begins; they will find more deaths caused by the tornado. Scientists are still trying to create more advanced weather systems that can better predict when massive tornadoes like these will strike, and give residents time to take cover.

However, scientists do know how these catastrophic tornadoes are formed. It starts with Super Cells, rotating thunderstorms, and consists of warm air and cool air pushing rotating winds to the surface. In order for the tornado to be formed, the temperature of the cold air has to be cooler than the current average temperature, so Super Cells do not always form tornadoes.

Even though California doesn’t have any tornadoes, we do have earthquakes. You have probably heard talk about the Big One and there’s even a massive drill event, The Great California Shakeout. Since earthquakes, much like
tornadoes, are unpredictable, schools have emergency plans for such an event. Our school, Mt. Sac Early College Academy, does too. According to Alex Palacios, the school’s security guard, there is 55 gallons of water in storage, food, and a bucket, which would serve as a temporary bathroom if students are trapped in the classroom. Natural disasters, such as this one, can strike at any moment and destroy everything you have. These plans are necessary
for preparing for the unknown in life, and possibly saving lives during an emergency.