FALLOUT OF DEBRIS FROM TORNADIC THUNDERSTORMS - A HISTORICAL-PERSPECTIVE AND 2 EXAMPLES FROM VORTEX

Preliminary results of an investigation of debris lofted by tornadoes, its long-distance transport by thunderstorms, and its subsequent fall out are reported. The authors begin with a review of historical accoun ts, including the unique study of the 1984 Barneveld, Wisconsin, torna do by Anderson, which shows that long-distance transport and fallout o f debris have occurred and that distances involved have been significa nt. The authors then report first-hand evidence of these phenomena in two events with F2 tornadoes: the Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, tornado of 25 A pril 1994 and the Gainesville, Texas, tornadoes of 26 April 1994. In b oth cases, traceable material in the form of canceled checks, bills-of -sale, invoices, and legal documents were reported to the authors, who were able to locate the source locations for several of these items. The authors close with some conjectures on the implications of these f irst findings.