A tornado looms over open farm land

Each year, an estimated 1,200 tornadoes touch down in the United States. Despite progress in communicating risk to the public, these storms can turn deadly quickly and often lead to widespread property damage, social disruption, and injuries.

When these impacts strike schools, hospitals, eldercare homes, correctional facilities, or other places that serve at-risk individuals, the outcomes can be especially devastating. That's why we partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to fund research that can improve outcomes in these places and for the people they serve.

We're pleased to announce that the following five proposals were accepted. Please visit the Recently Funded page for the Weather Ready Research Award Program to read abstracts of this upcoming work.


Tornadoes, Aging, and Resilience: How the Elderly in Texas Living Facilities Experience Storms
Brieana Degrate, Texas A&M University
Shannon Van Zandt, Texas A&M University
Faith Jacobs, Texas A&M University


Safe Room Sheltering in Kansas Manufactured Housing Communities: A Behavioral Economic Analysis
Madison Graham, University of Kansas
Brett Gelino, University of Kansas
Elaina Sutley, University of Kansas


Tornado Warning Needs and Barriers to Protective Action for Individuals with Disabilities
Sangwon Lee, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Jennifer First, University of Tennessee, Knoxville


Factors Influencing Tornado Preparedness and Sheltering Activities Among Vulnerable Populations
Brenda Philips, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Cedar League, Wx and Society Consulting
Nathan Meyers, University of Massachusetts Amherst


Estimating Tornado Risk to Child-Serving Institutions in Future Climate Scenarios
Jonathan Sury, Columbia University
Zoe Schroder, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Tyler Fricker, University of Louisiana Monroe
Sean Hansen, Columbia University