The Worcester Tornado: A New Perspective

Book excerpt: This book re-examines the work of the Committee on Disaster Studies, Study #3, "Tornado in Worcester, Massachusetts: An Exploratory Study of Individual and Community Behaviors in an Extreme Situation" originally edited by Anthony F. C. Wallace, PhD. The review draws upon the primary source including the original interviews, maps and committee investigatory materials (included in their entirety and unabridged). Commentary is provided by End Notes - to enhance the material and to allow for a modern day understanding and comparison to the events described in the original report and subsequent commentary on disasters/studies. Included is a personal recount of the day of the storm and the following day's trip to the disaster city.