Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-08-17

wreck of Falls City Hall. That storm
wiped out seventy-six lives and So, $780,
600 worth of property in Louisville,
and in other towns fifty-nine lives and
100000 in property. The whirling
cloud, which was described as shaped
like a turnip, struck Louisville at about
745 in the evening. The noise it made
was compared to the passage of
heavy train of cars over bridge
thousand times intensified. All the
gas jets in the city either went out or
were nearly extinguished, and the
crash of falling buildings added to the
appalling rumyus, while a terrific cleo
trio display served as an accompani-
mont, balls of fire playing about. APP
parently the lower end of the funnel
did not touch the ground, the destruc-
tion being confined to the upper stories
of the houses.
The only place where safety can be
found against a tornado is under
ground. In the region where storms
of this type are frequent prudent peo-
cellars" This is usually an excavation
made through the west wall of the eel
lar of the house outward, SO that no
The west side is chosen because the
danger always comes from that direc-
ton, and, if the house is demolished,
the ruins will be thrown away from the
cave" The floor of the latter is made
level with the floor of the cellar, and
the earth roof of the cave is supported
by heavy timbers and arched with
masonry of brick or stone. These are
precautions against damage by the
falling of heavy masses of debris.
Sometimes a cave is dug apart from
the house, but close by it, on the west
side. It is made big enough to accom-
modate all the inmates OF the dwelling.
Such resort is a means of absolute
safety Fortunately, as has been said,
the approach of a tornado is adver-
tised in advance by unmistakable pre-
monitory symptoms. The householder
has simply to convey his family to the
"cyclone cellar" close the entrance by
strong door provided for the pur-
pose and await the passing of the
danger. IF person finds himself in
the path of the whirling monster and
has no refuge the best thing for him
to do is to throw himself face down
ward. with his head to the east and
his arms over his head to protect it.
If near a large stone or stump he
should lie down with his head toward
the object, embracing it. If compelled
to remain in a building he should 60
to the west room on the ground floor
and stand in the center of it. It often
happens that half of house is torn
away, the other half remaining unin-
jured. BY seeking the west side one
is more likely to escape being struck
by debris.
A tornado struck the town of Nor
gan. Ohio, June 10, 1923. At $3.50 p. m.
a householder, whose account is quoted,
heard roaring as of heavy thunder,
which called him to the door. On
opening it he Immediately discovered
a bright cloud, which had precisely
the color of glowing oven, apparent
ly the size of a half acre of ground.
moving rapidly in the direction of his
dwelling. The brightness of the cloud
Illuminated everything about. There
was no lightning nor rain, but con-
tinual and tremendous roar during the
passage of the storm. The roaring of
tornado has been described as con-
tinual woO-Oo-oo and whir-r-r-r.
Tornadoes seldom occur singly.
There are usually several of them in
line, which all run up the country to-
ward the northeast. Frequently there
are several lines, one following an
other. In rare instances the same
place has been struck by two of the
whirling tunnels in quick succession.
It is supposed that this form of mete-
GEOLOGICAL disturbance generates an i'm
mense amount of electricity. Some Of
the things it does are such as, it would
seem. could only be accomplished by
electrical action. To this agency has
been attributed the plucking Of chick
ems. which is common freak inciden-
tai to the passage of a cyclone. Fowls.
without being hurt. are often Invested
completely of their feathers, and roos-
tiers are presently seen strutting about
the stricken barnyard, Growing, though
perfectly naked.
Points in Dispute.
There are many points about the tor
nado which are in dispute among me-
teorologists. Some of them are of the
opinion that there is partial vacuum
in the middle of the whirling balloon
cloud, and many witnesses speak of the
manner in which the huge funnel sucks
up everything in its path. It is stated
that the sucking sound is very distinct
ly heard as the monster rushes across
the country. It certainly does take up
water from streams, and one instance
isrecorded where tornado completely
emptied well forty feet deep. Other
authorities aver that in the midst OF the
revolving funnel there is plenum, the
reverse of vacuum.
Some of the doings perpetrated by
tornadoes are most astonishing. At
Wallingford, Conn.,, Aug. 8, 1873, a