Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

F5: a book review

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 13:28 GMT le 13 juin 2007

F5: Devastation, Survival, and the Most Violent Tornado Outbreak of the 20th Century tells a story from the world's most violent tornado outbreak on record--the April 4, 1974 Super Outbreak. The Super Outbreak featured the most tornadoes ever recorded in a single day, 148, and also had an unprecedented number of violent F4 and F5 tornadoes--six F5 tornadoes and 24 F4 tornadoes (for comparison, the past five years have had one F5 tornado and 15 F4 tornadoes.)

The book has some excellent material discussing the "how" of tornado formation, plus an entire chapter on the life and pioneering research done by tornado researcher Dr. Theodore Fujita (Dr. Tornado). Author Mark Levine definitely did his homework, talking to many of the leading tornado researchers while writing the book. However, F5 is primarily focused on the people who lived in Limestone County, Alabama--a rural area 20 miles west of Huntsville. We get an in-depth portrayal of the lives of about 30 residents affected by the tornado before, during, and after the storm. Many chapters are spent building up to the tornadoes, painting a detailed picture of what life was like in rural Alabama for these people in the early 1970s. Levine is a gifted writer, and for those interested in the human dimensions of this great tornado disaster, this book is for you. Also, readers who appreciate poetry (the author has written three books of poems, will enjoy Levine's flowery, wordy descriptions:

The fear instilled by tornadoes, and the fascination with them, is beyond rational accounting; they are the weather watcher's equivalent of charismatic megafauna. Their aura is not difficult to fathom. Descending suddenly, menacingly, and without reliable warning, the tornado serves as a near-primal expression of the mysterious and fraught relationship between individuals and the skies above them.

The book has some rather astounding "truth is stranger than fiction" passages. The eyewitness descriptions by the survivors of their horrifying moments flying through the roaring debris-filled air as a monstrous F-5 tornado rips through their homes are particularly riveting. The most amazing part about the events in Limestone County that night was that TWO violent tornadoes--an F4 and an F5--ripped through several hours apart, hitting some of the exact same places. Levine paints a harrowing and unforgettable picture of what it was like to live through the terror of the two tornadoes. Another excerpt:

What Jerry saw was strange and wondrous. Clouds were riding across open fields to the west, moving just like clouds do across the sky. As the clouds passed a steel TVA tower, it snapped out of the ground, and began rolling across the field. A moment later, a second tower was toppled. To Jerry, the scene resembled something out of a cartoon, with the 120-foot high girders skipping like tumbleweeds.

What I didn't like about the book
While F5 is well written and absolutely fascinating in sections, I thought the book was too verbose and took too long to get to the action. I found myself skipping over some sections. The book also introduced too many characters to follow, and I got confused about who was whom. One of my many character flaws is a disinterest in poetry, and I found that the dense, flowery, poetic language of Levine interfered with my desire to see the story moved forward and straightforward science to be presented. The tornadoes don't start their rampage through Limestone County until page 119 of this long, 276-page book, which was too long to wait for my impatient blood. If you want to read a fast-paced true-life tornado drama, pick up a copy of Nancy Mathis' excellent book Storm Warning, about the May 3, 1999 Oklahoma City tornado, which I reviewed earlier this year.

Overall, I give F5 2.5 stars out of 4. If you're a poetry fan, this book deserves a higher rating. F5 was published in May 2007, and is $17.13 at amazon.com.

I'll be back Friday with my bi-monthly 2-week outlook for hurricane season. The tropics are quiet, and the models are forecasting conditions will remain quiet into next week.

Jeff Masters

Categories: Book and Movie Reviews

Permalink | A A A

Top of Page

Reader Comments

Display: 0, 50, 100, 200

Sort: Newest First - Order Posted

Viewing: 1551 - 1601

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 — Blog Index

1551. Patrap 22:35 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Quikscat imagery...Link Member Since: 3 juillet 2005 Posts: 371 Comments: 111464

1552. TheCaneWhisperer 22:41 GMT le 14 juin 2007
The surface low remained mostly stationary until early on October 15 as it merged with the upper-level low and deepened while north of the Bahamas and east of the coast of Florida. On the morning of October 15, the system gained enough tropical characteristics and became organized enough to be classified as a subtropical depression.[1] FULL STORY HERE! Interesting to note that they can merge together! I was curious.

1554. nash28 22:43 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Now bear with me guys, as my wits are almost not about me anymore. It appears as though there are indeed more than one circulation, with one of them at the surface. Given its position and the last CMC run, at least for now, I think the CMC has to be looked at closely. Remember how it nailed Barry days before there was even a Low pressure system there? With the GFS spazzing and the NAM somewhat back and forth, the CMC so far has done a pretty good job. Member Since: 11 juillet 2005 Posts: 190 Comments: 16972

1555. TheCaneWhisperer 22:43 GMT le 14 juin 2007
No! Just curious if it was possible is all. Figured I would share since the ULL is so close to the area.

1556. nash28 22:45 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Great link Cane!!! It makes sense. If the two lows merge, you would have the energy from both becoming one. Jesus. I sound like the screenwriter from the Highlander movie!!!! Member Since: 11 juillet 2005 Posts: 190 Comments: 16972

1557. thelmores 22:48 GMT le 14 juin 2007
I thought you would want a surface low with high pressure aloft??? not a surface low and ULL...... my head hurts! where in my brewski! ;D Member Since: 8 septembre 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 3748

1558. Bamatracker 22:52 GMT le 14 juin 2007
you can have a low at the surface and a low at the upper levels for a system to get some tropical characteristics. Now if it ever wants to intensify and get a named the UUL has to move on out so a Upper level high pressure can develop. Member Since: 17 mai 2006 Posts: 6 Comments: 1364

1559. WPBHurricane05 22:53 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Will we have 93L out of Caribbean disturbance? Member Since: 31 juillet 2006 Posts: 56 Comments: 7929

1561. WPBHurricane05 22:54 GMT le 14 juin 2007
It wasn't me it was the Magic 8 Ball. Member Since: 31 juillet 2006 Posts: 56 Comments: 7929

1563. ClearH2OFla 22:57 GMT le 14 juin 2007
WPB it would be 94L LOL

1564. WPBHurricane05 22:57 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Good catch.... Will we have 94L out of Caribbean disturbance? Member Since: 31 juillet 2006 Posts: 56 Comments: 7929

1565. 4Gaia 22:58 GMT le 14 juin 2007
A battle of wills, wind vs. sst. Member Since: 18 mai 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 8

1566. WPBHurricane05 22:59 GMT le 14 juin 2007
I asked it 30 times and it gave me: Very doubt full, ask again, it is certain.... Member Since: 31 juillet 2006 Posts: 56 Comments: 7929

1568. 4Gaia 23:00 GMT le 14 juin 2007
I tasted the liquid in my lucky eight-ball when I was a kid. Member Since: 18 mai 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 8

1569. WPBHurricane05 23:01 GMT le 14 juin 2007
well yeah WPB, considering the next invest will be 94L lol At least we know it works........ Member Since: 31 juillet 2006 Posts: 56 Comments: 7929

1571. WPBHurricane05 23:03 GMT le 14 juin 2007
I tasted the liquid in my lucky eight-ball when I was a kid. Thats not smart..... Member Since: 31 juillet 2006 Posts: 56 Comments: 7929

1573. stormwatcher247 23:07 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Where's Wammybammy?

1575. Tazmanian 23:12 GMT le 14 juin 2007
could we have a TD or TS right now or geting there? Member Since: 21 mai 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111348

1576. nolesjeff 23:14 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Link Barometerbob link Member Since: 20 juin 2006 Posts: 9 Comments: 1391

1577. Bamatracker 23:17 GMT le 14 juin 2007
can we atleast get a floater on this area?!! Quick WPB use your connections and make a call. Member Since: 17 mai 2006 Posts: 6 Comments: 1364

1579. SWFLdrob 23:20 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Posted By: Tazmanian at 11:12 PM GMT on June 14, 2007. could we have a TD or TS right now or geting there? could get there, but it seems people here are more excited about it than those at the NHC at this point. ABNT20 KNHC 142122 TWOAT TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 530 PM EDT THU JUN 14 2007 FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO... A LARGE AREA OF CLOUDINESS AND SHOWERS OVER THE NORTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA IS ASSOCIATED WITH A BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE. UPPER-LEVEL WINDS REMAIN UNFAVORABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT. TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

1580. Bamatracker 23:21 GMT le 14 juin 2007
how come the time on quikstat is the same on ascending and decending pass? thats....not....possible. Member Since: 17 mai 2006 Posts: 6 Comments: 1364

1581. Patrap 23:21 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Tune in ,listen and chat tonight at 8pm EST..to the BarometerBob Show. He has another great guest, Dr. David Stooksbury the Georgia State Climotologist. He will talk about Georgia weather, and past hurricanes that have affected the state. Hurricane hollow is the site that interviewed Dr. Masters a few weeks ago. Its a good informative 2 hours of interacting and blogging. Link Member Since: 3 juillet 2005 Posts: 371 Comments: 111464

1582. nash28 23:22 GMT le 14 juin 2007
All I hear is Barry Manillow.... Barry developed under much worse shear than this is under.... Not saying it will come to fruition, but I think we all know nature can throw a curveball and spit in the face of upper level conditions from time to time... Member Since: 11 juillet 2005 Posts: 190 Comments: 16972

1583. Tazmanian 23:22 GMT le 14 juin 2007
i dont give care about the TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK so Please dont show it to me at this time the nhc is this falling a sleep and dont care about it at this time sorry if i was rude Member Since: 21 mai 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111348

1584. Patrap 23:25 GMT le 14 juin 2007
The Lil low seems to be due west of Cozumel here...Link Member Since: 3 juillet 2005 Posts: 371 Comments: 111464

1585. nash28 23:26 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Geez Taz!! I don't think I have ever seen that kind of raw emotion from you before.... No problem buddy. However, don't completely dismiss the NHC. Not a good idea... Member Since: 11 juillet 2005 Posts: 190 Comments: 16972

1587. SWFLdrob 23:27 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Posted By: Tazmanian at 11:22 PM GMT on June 14, 2007. i dont give care about the TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK so Please dont show it to me at this time the nhc is this falling a sleep and dont care about it at this time sorry if i was rude The NHC puts the official label on TDs and TSs, so IMO their opinion matters at least a little bit and should be considered. Not 100% relied upon, but considered.

1588. thelmores 23:28 GMT le 14 juin 2007
you know it's a slow nite in the blog when you get Barry Manillow jokes! LOL So let me get this straight, the swirl in the channel is simply the ULL...... nothing at the surface. the low is south, but is broad in nature, with convection surrounding save the NW and W quads. hows that with my beer goggles! LOL Member Since: 8 septembre 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 3748

1589. bayoubrotha 23:31 GMT le 14 juin 2007
OK, well on that note, here is the NHC 8p Tropical Weather Discussion regarding the activity off the Yucatan. CARIBBEAN SEA... THE MOST ACTIVE WEATHER AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON IS OVER THE W CARIBBEAN WHERE CLUSTERS OF SCATTERED MODERATE/ISOLATED STRONG CONVECTION ARE GENERALLY N OF 15N W OF 80W TO OVER CUBA AND TO THE COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA. THIS ACTIVITY APPEARS TO BE INDUCED BY SEVERAL FACTORS. THE MOST PERSISTENT HAS BEEN DIFFLUENCE ALOFT BETWEEN A SMALL UPPER LOW SPINNING OVER THE NE YUCATAN PENINSULA AND A BROAD UPPER RIDGE THAT EXTENDS FROM COLOMBIA TO OVER W CUBA. A SURFACE TROUGH EXTENDS FROM THE HONDURAS COAST NEAR 15N88W THROUGH A WEAK 1009 MB LOW NEAR 18N87W TO THE W TIP OF CUBA NEAR 22N83W. THERE ARE A FEW SMALL MID/LOW LEVEL CIRCULATIONS EMBEDDED WITHIN THE AREA BUT TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. THE E CARIBBEAN IS DOMINATED BY AN UPPER TROUGH THAT EXTENDS FROM THE E ATLC THROUGH THE CENTRAL ATLC. E OF 80W IS FREE OF SIGNIFICANT MOISTURE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SHOWERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE THE TROPICAL WAVE OVER THE LESSER ANTILLES. MODERATE/STRONG EASTERLY TRADE WINDS ARE OVER THE S/CENTRAL CARIBBEAN. Member Since: 15 août 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 618

1590. thelmores 23:32 GMT le 14 juin 2007
"THERE ARE A FEW SMALL MID/LOW LEVEL CIRCULATIONS EMBEDDED WITHIN THE AREA BUT TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. " thanks for that! :) I feel much better now! LOL Member Since: 8 septembre 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 3748

1591. IKE 23:33 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Check out the latest numbers from buoy 42056 at the Yucatan basin.... "5-day plot - Wind Direction Wind Direction (WDIR): SE ( 130 deg true ) 5-day plot - Wind Speed Wind Speed (WSPD): 11.7 kts 5-day plot - Wind Gust Wind Gust (GST): 11.7 kts 5-day plot - Wave Height Wave Height (WVHT): 2.6 ft 5-day plot - Dominant Wave Period Dominant Wave Period (DPD): 5 sec 5-day plot - Average Period Average Period (APD): 4.3 sec 5-day plot - Mean Wave Direction Mean Wave Direction (MWD): SE ( 139 deg true ) 5-day plot - Atmospheric Pressure Atmospheric Pressure (PRES): 29.70 in 5-day plot - Pressure Tendency Pressure Tendency (PTDY): -0.09 in ( Falling Rapidly ) 5-day plot - Air Temperature Air Temperature (ATMP): 76.5 �F 5-day plot - Water Temperature Water Temperature (WTMP): 83.3 �F 5-day plot - Dew Point Dew Point (DEWP): 73.8 �F".......... Pressure 29.70 and falling rapidly! Member Since: 9 juin 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044

1592. Patrap 23:35 GMT le 14 juin 2007
The buoy graph..falling to 29.70 as you mentioned Link Member Since: 3 juillet 2005 Posts: 371 Comments: 111464

1593. TheCaneWhisperer 23:36 GMT le 14 juin 2007
A little more loose in discounting the system in the 8:05! Could also be the forcaster too.

1595. Patrap 23:37 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Cozumel in now 29.75..Nwest of the Buoy..Broad low..wunderground site thereLink EnE winds too Member Since: 3 juillet 2005 Posts: 371 Comments: 111464

1596. IKE 23:37 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Agree...saying development not expected at this time, leaves a window of development open....another Friday storm developing? Member Since: 9 juin 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044

1597. IKE 23:38 GMT le 14 juin 2007
What's the MB's on 29.70? Member Since: 9 juin 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044

1599. Tazmanian 23:40 GMT le 14 juin 2007
like whats going on down there? Member Since: 21 mai 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111348

1600. Thundercloud01221991 23:40 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Visit my new blog I have changed URL and I have changed from PHPBB to IP board Link Tell me what you think Member Since: 1 août 2006 Posts: 28 Comments: 3670

1601. IKE 23:42 GMT le 14 juin 2007
Posted By: jphurricane2006 at 6:39 PM CDT on June 14, 2007. 1005.9mb IKE Hmm...that 8:05 pm tropical discussion stated 1009mb. I guess that's wrong. Member Since: 9 juin 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044

Viewing: 1551 - 1601

Top of Page

New Comment

Community Standards Policy Comments will take a few seconds to appear.

Post Your Comments

Please sign in to post comments.

or Join

Not only will you be able to leave comments on this blog, but you'll also have the ability to upload and share your photos in our Wunder Photos section.

About JeffMasters