The Reel World: Tornadoes

Having lived in Kansas most of my life, with a few years in Illinois and Iowa, I’ve grown up watching the weather and experiencing my fair share of severe weather and always hearing about the Fujita scale. I found an excellent documentary that highlights the man behind the tornado scale and other fascinating tornado documentaries.

Mr. Tornado (2020)

Tetsuya Theodore “Ted” Fujita’s inquisitiveness, tenacity and forensic approach allowed him to develop the Fujita scale. You'll discover how important this scale is to help scientists rate the intensity of a tornado.

As a young professor in Japan Fujita studied the aftermath of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Along with this comprehensive damage survey of the rubble and his lifetime interest in studying nature, Fujita began his forensic approach to studying weather. He is recognized as the discoverer of downbursts and microbursts, which contributed to aviation safety. In 2007 the Fujita scale was decommissioned in favor of a more accurate Enhanced Fujita Scale.

Next time severe weather approaches and tornadoes are reported, your knowledge of the size of the tornado can immediately be recognized because of the research and documentation of Fujita and his well-known scale.

You can check out the DVD or stream Mr. Tornado with your library card through Kanopy.

June 8 (2006)

This documentary tells the story of June 8, 1966, tornado that hit Topeka. It's filled with rare interviews and archival pictures.

Tornadoes: the Earth's Furies (2018)

The U.S. is affected by 1,200 tornadoes every year and this phenomenon is growing all over the world. With wind speeds inside their vortex reaching up to 500 km per hour and traveling at the speed of a high-speed train, tornadoes are capable of destroying everything in their path. But how do they start? How can we predict them and minimize their destruction? Is global warming responsible for their increasing frequency?

You can check out the DVD or stream Tornadoes with your library card through Kanopy.

Twister Cyclones (2024)

Prepare for a heart-pounding journey into the eye of the storm with this gripping documentary that takes you on a wild ride through the world of tornadoes. From adrenaline-pumping chases to jaw-dropping footage of nature's fury, this film explores the awe-inspiring power and devastating beauty of these swirling tempests. Twister Cyclone will leave you breathless and in awe of the incredible, destructive beauty that is the tornado.