By Ted Slowik
I understand the math, but still I question the data. According to a study, Naperville ranks 13th on a list of U.S. cities of 100,000 or more likely to be struck by a tornado during the month of June.
According to VorTek, a Huntsville, Ala.-based software company that has compiled National Weather Service data dating back to 1950, an average of 80 acres within a 20-mile radius of Naperville is impacted by tornadoes every June.
That just doesn't seem right. Eighty acres within 20 miles of Naperville impacted by tornadoes every June? I've lived here all my life. I don't recall that many reports of tornadoes anywhere near Naperville in the last 30 years. The tragically devastating Plainfield/Crest Hill/Joliet tornado occurred in August, not June, so that shouldn't be part of the data.
Maybe it's supposed to read, "80 acres total within 20 miles of Naperville have been impacted since 1950." That seems about right.
Overall, I understand the point of the study: that as tornado season progresses further into summer, areas up north are more likely to be impacted by tornadoes than areas down south. Makes perfect sense. Kind of a "duh" moment, if you ask me, but you know how it goes. Sometimes you have to put together a list to get peoples' attention.
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