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Impact of Dual-Polarization Radar Technology and Twitter on the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Tornado

Part of: Tornadoes collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 January 2014

Alexis L. Cates ,
Brent W. Arnold ,
Guy Paul Cooper Jr ,
Violet Yeager ,
Josh Stake ,
Mohammed Ali ,
Richard C. Calderone ,
James Wilkinson ,
Edbert Hsu  and
Steven Parrillo
...Show all authors
Alexis L. Cates
Affiliation:
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Brent W. Arnold
Affiliation:
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Guy Paul Cooper Jr
Affiliation:
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Violet Yeager
Affiliation:
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Josh Stake
Affiliation:
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Mohammed Ali
Affiliation:
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Richard C. Calderone
Affiliation:
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
James Wilkinson
Affiliation:
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Edbert Hsu
Affiliation:
Johns Hopkins University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Steven Parrillo
Affiliation:
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Steven Piper
Affiliation:
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Italo Subbarao*
Affiliation:
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Italo Subbarao, DO, MBA, 498 Tuscan Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 (e-mail ISubbarao@wmcarey.edu).
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Abstract

Objective

Dual-Polarization Radar and Twitter were analyzed to determine the impact on injuries sustained by the Hattiesburg EF-4 tornado.

Method

Tracking data provided from the Dual-Pol radar systems in National Weather Service Jackson were reviewed. Twitter data from four local Twitter handles were obtained. The change in tweets and followers for the day of the storm were compared to historical averages. A Student t-test was utilized in determining statistical significance (p<0.05). Medical records from two local emergency departments were reviewed for patients treated up to 24 hours after the tornado. An Injury Severity Score (ISS) was calculated for trauma records related to the tornado.

Results

Radar detection of the tornado gave approximately 30 minutes of advanced warning time. Statistical significance in follower growth was seen in all four Twitter handles. Out of 50 patients, the average ISS was 3.9 with a range of 1 to 29. There were zero fatalities.

Conclusions

An ISS average of 3.9 was significantly less than two previous tornadoes of similar strength that occurred prior to increased usage of Dual-pol radar and Twitter as a means for communicating severe weather information. Early detection from Dual-pol radar improved warning time. Tweets informed citizens to seek appropriate shelter. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:585-592)

Keywords

Disaster technologyEmergency PreparednessTornadoesRisk CommunicationTraumatic Injury
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 7 , Issue 6 , December 2013 , pp. 585 - 592
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2013 

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