This commemorative exhibition includes images from that fateful day in April 2011, educational info graphics and interactives designed to help visitors learn how to prepare for and respond to weather emergencies. In the center of the exhibit, a short video plays in the round on Science On A Sphere.
I met with meteorologist Kevin Laws at the National Weather Service in Calera, AL to better understand how tornadoes form. These diagrams are greatly simplified, but I would like to create a more in-depth series to help people better understand this fascinating yet dangerous weather phenomenon.
I created these graphs to show when most tornadoes form.
This diagram includes a Doppler radar image where I overlaid the inflow and outflows and the actual tornado location as it left Pleasant Grove badly damaged and moved toward Pratt City. At the top of the tornado, the debris ball (purple and white) can be seen as the radar picked up reflections from debris being lifted from the ground.
This graphic shows examples of damage and descriptions of the Enhanced Fujita Scale classifications.
This graphic shows satellite images of the affected area along with a diagram showing the tracks of the Alabama tornadoes and their strengths. The rightmost image shows that the damage tracks can be clearly seen from orbit.
I created this timeline graphic which highlights some of the significant events leading up to and continuing through that historic day. Poignant quotes from survivors are included above and below.
This is one of the graphics featuring photography from The Birmingham News' "Day Of Devastation" feature.
This is another of the graphics featuring photography and a few articles from The Birmingham News' "Day Of Devastation" feature.
These arial views show areas in Tuscaloosa, AL both before and after the tornado.
This view shows one of the sides of the 4-sided displays along with the "Are You Ready Alabama?" interactive display I designed in the background.
I designed and created the graphics for this tri-sided interactive display which was commissioned by the Director of the Governor's Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives. This side features rotating disks that when turned reveal the correct items that should be included in an emergency preparedness kit.
I designed and created the graphics for this tri-sided interactive display which was commissioned by the Director of the Governor's Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives. This side features sliders that provide the answers to questions relating to winter weather, lightning and flash flood safety.
I designed and created the graphics for this tri-sided interactive display which was commissioned by the Director of the Governor's Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives. This side features sliders that reveal the safest places to take shelter in the event of a tornado.
This panel shows some other instances of vortices.
This graphic from The Birmingham News' "Day Of Devastation" feature highlights the wonderful efforts of those who used their musical talents to raise money for those affected by the tornadoes.
A brief video collage on Science On A Sphere highlights news coverage before, during and after the Alabama tornadoes of 27 April 2011. Erik Lizee edited and produced this video.
