How many times have you searched in vain for real information, clear answers, to all the questions people of all ages have about tornadoes? Finally, there is a book that provides the answers– and much, much more.
Veteran storm chasers and weather experts, Arjen and Jerrine Verkaik, have put together “the definitive book on tornadoes” (in the words of one of its enthusiastic reviewers). Under the Whirlwind: everything you need to know about tornadoes but didn't know who to ask, is a comprehensive book. In full colour– with lots of photos (262), cartoons, diagrams and maps– it takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of life under a tornado, answering all the questions that he or she might have along the way.
It tells the stories of the people who suffered through two tornadoes in Ontario. (The Verkaiks interviewed more than 500 people and have woven their experiences into a lively, but sympathetic read.) But, more than that, the authors have pulled out all the information that anyone is likely to need before, during and after a tornado hits.
In the detailed chapters on storms and tornadoes, they explain what is happening in the stormy sky, what to look for to figure out whether any particular day's weather should be cause for concern, and what is and isn't known about tornadoes. They lay out a complete “guide to the stormy sky”– with colour photos that show the reader what they are talking about. This guide has proven invaluable to many readers, some of whom were even able to anticipate a later tornado event because of their newfound weather wisdom.
But the book doesn't stop there. It goes on to explain how to choose the best places to take shelter, wherever you may be; how to survive and help out during the aftermath (cleanup and rebuilding); how to deal with the longer term struggles (insurance, emotional stresses); how to help kids through their anxieties about weather; and they end the book with a chapter about where tornadoes are most likely to happen and what you can do to reduce your risks.
Under the Whirlwind is a must-read, both as a history of a tornado event, and as a compendium of everything you need to know about tornadoes. It is fascinating and informative, an invaluable asset to any public or school library.