Lack of Warning on Tornadoes Probed
The National Weather Service said Sunday that it will convene an inquiry into why residents here got no warning before tornadoes ripped through their mobile homes Saturday. Three people were killed, 53 injured and more than 100 homes were destroyed.
In the Jacksonville area, more tornadoes tore roofs off businesses and damaged nearby mobile homes and an apartment house Sunday, a Fire Department spokesman said. About 300 trailer park residents were evacuated when an earthen dam broke, but no one was injured, he said.
Paul Hebert, the state’s top weather official, said tight rules restrict tornado warnings to confirmed touchdowns and lesser tornado watches to conditions that precede Midwest tornadoes but not Florida tornadoes, Hebert said. The criteria include cold, dry air mixing rapidly with warm, moist air.
Gov. Lawton Chiles on Sunday toured areas damaged by the twisters and said federal assistance will be sought.
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