Oklahoma Tornado Relief – 5/21/13
We have partnered with the National Storm Damage Center (NSDC) to bring relief to those affected by the severe storms that have ravaged Oklahoma. We will be providing bottled water, blankets, and other supplies to those who need it. Our VP, Daron Sneed, and our CTO, David Bryan, are on the road, going to areas that were hit by the tornado.
If you would like to assist in the relief effort, give us a call or donate to the Red Cross.
Those who want information about the storms or the relief effort can call us at (972) 638-7225 or send us an email. We will provide a report and a storm map to help.
Our hearts and thoughts go out to all those who experienced loss due to the storms. Stay safe.
Tornadoes Run Rampant Through Texas
Wednesday, May 15th turned into a disastrous night for the D/FW area. Tornado warnings were issued throughout the day as a highly dangerous storm system moved toward north Texas. The National Weather Service estimated a total of sixteen tornadoes that touched down, which caused major damages to some counties.
Power lines were toppled throughout the region and some homeowners reported collapsed roofs. Cleburne and Lancaster experienced considerable damage, with homes and buildings suffering from shattered windows and destroyed roofs. Nineteen buildings and seventeen mobile homes were destroyed in Hood county. Granbury is reported to be one of the worst hit areas, with images of the town revealing downed power lines, uprooted trees, badly damaged cars, and leveled homes.
The tornado that hit Granbury was an EF-4, meaning that winds reached 160-200 mph. Three tornadoes blew through Montague and Hood counties, while some reported a mile-wide twister that ripped through Johnson county.
These twisters left a path of devastation throughout north Texas, leaving 250 homeless, injuring around 100 people, and claiming the lives of six adults. Our thoughts go out to those who experienced loss during the storm and we hope that those affected by the tornadoes will find some relief soon.
Weekly Update: 5/13-5/17
Welcome back! We have a special deal for this week only and new updates concerning the website. Read further:
Sign Up For A Base Account:
For this week only, if you are not a HailStrike member and you sign up for a base account, you will receive one FREE AniSwath and one FREE OneSite. You simply need to create a base account, call us, and we will give you the OneSite and AniSwath. You must call to receive the two free items! This offer expires 5/17/13 at 5 PM.
New Website Is Live:
We announced last week that the new site would be live, but we hit a big of a snag when it came to the launch. The new and improved HailStrike.com is now live! It has a more user-friendly interface, allowing for easier navigation and interaction. Use the “live chat” feature on the site to talk to a customer service representative immediately.
Follow Us On Twitter:
Our Twitter feed (@Hail_Strike) constantly updates with news, product information, weather data, etc. We also answer questions through our feed, if asked. Be sure to follow us on Twitter to receive quick information about the company and nationwide weather information.
Hail Fact Of The Week:
The largest hailstone ever recorded was found in Vivian, South Dakota on July 23, 2010. The hailstone measured 8″ in diameter and had an 18 1/2″ circumference. It weighed 1.9375 pounds.
How Do Doppler Radars Work?
In order to gather weather data, NOAA and the NWS rely on Doppler radars to collect information. The result is something like this:
This has become an important tool in tracking, analyzing, and collecting weather data and understanding weather patterns. But how does it work?
Doppler radars make use of the Doppler Effect in order to create these maps. Essentially, these radars emit a pulse of energy. If the emitted energy hits an object (rain, hail, etc.), the energy is then scattered in all directions. A portion of the scattered energy returns to the radar station, where it is received and logged. Basically, the radar acts as both a transmitter and receiver.
Computers analyze the strength of the returned signal, the time it took to reach an object and return to the radar, and the phase shift of the signal. This process of sending a signal, receiving, analyzing, and sending another signal happens about 1300 times per second.
The visual representation is generated by analyzing the returned signals. The rainfall, wind, hail, etc. changes as the storm progresses. Because of this, the signals sent out will take different amounts of time to return to the station, which allows for a map to be generated to show the location of a storm and where it is currently moving.
It’s a complicated process, but it is the most effective way to map and track a storm system.
Weekly Update: 5/6-5/10
Welcome to our first weekly update. Starting from this week onward, we will post a weekly update providing news about HailStrike, tips, upcoming events, miscellaneous facts, and new products information.
New Website:
We’ve been hard at work creating a new website for our users. The new and improved HailStrike homepage will be launching tomorrow. This new site is a more user-friendly version, allowing for easier navigation and product selection. The live chat feature will still be implemented, which can be utilized at anytime.
Live Chat:
The live chat is available for the current and upcoming new site. Just click on the blue tab at the bottom of the page and submit any questions that you may have. A customer service representative will respond ASAP with answers to your questions. If you have a Twitter account, send us a Tweet on our page and we will respond immediately. We are always here to help!
Hail Fact of the Week:
Summer is prime season for hail. Hail can only form from the freezing of rain, and rain and thunderstorms are much more common during warmer seasons. But during winter, hail is much more scarce. Thunderstorms, which are much more abundant during the summer season, push water upward with cold updrafts, solidifying and falling to the earth as hail. During the winter, however, ice and snow form in the clouds due to the colder temperatures and fall already frozen. The ice/snow can fall and refreeze on the ground. This is not to say that hail cannot be formed during winter, but it is much less common. For more information about hail formation, see our previous post.
How To Protect Yourself During A Tornado
The return of warmer temperatures is a welcome change from the cold, but the warmer climate is also a return for potentially disastrous weather. Warm temperatures and moisture can form deadly tornadoes. We at HailStrike realize that this is the season for tornado activity, which is why we created a list of tips for safety and protection during dangerous weather.
If you are inside:
Being inside of your house offers the best protection. Purchase a portable radio if your area is notorious for tornadoes. If the siren goes off, turn on the radio to receive information about the storm and its direction. Immediately seek shelter in the lowest level of your home, such as a basement or storm shelter. If your house does not have either, go into a closet. Keep away from windows.
You can cushion yourself with a mattress, but do not use it to cover you. You may use a blanket or a jacket to cover your head, protecting your head and eyes from flying debris. Waste no time moving your household items around (furniture, valuables, etc.).
If you own a pet, make sure it is in a cage or on a leash.
Do not under any circumstances attempt to leave the house until the storm has passed. Multiple tornadoes may emerge from the same storm, so it is best to stay indoors until the storm has passed through the area. Listen to your portable radio to properly gauge when the tornado has cleared.
If you are outside:
Immediately seek an indoor shelter. Do not, however, seek shelter within a building with a high ceiling, such as shopping malls. It you cannot possibly find indoor shelter, crouch for protection beside a strong structure, or lie flat in a ditch or low-laying area and cover your head and neck, preferably with a piece of clothing.
If you are in a vehicle:
Try to quickly drive to a potential shelter. If this is not an option, immediately pull over and park. There are two options in this situation:
1) Keep your seat belt on and put your head below the windows of the car. Cover your head with your hands, or some form of clothing.
2) If you can get to an area lower than the roadway, exit the vehicle and lie in that area. Cover you head.
Hopefully, these tips provide necessary information that will save lives. Stay protected and stay safe!
Why Has It Been Cold This Spring?
March 2012 was recorded as the warmest March in the southern US. This year, however, the average temperature of March for the states was a startling 13 degrees Fahrenheit. The United States and Canada have both dealt with random strings of cold weather over the last few months, leaving thousands scratching their heads, curious as to why it has been so cold for the beginning of the Spring season.
So, why has it been so cold?
A stationary warm air mass over Greenland and the North Atlantic has blocked the regular air flow from south to north and west to east. Known as the jet stream, the flow usually brings in warm air from the south as Spring comes to the northern hemisphere. This year, the air mass has redirected Arctic air currents, slamming two-thirds of the the US with cold winds. The only region that was not affected was the southwest, which experienced its usual warm climate.
Though the temperatures have dropped, the cold does have its benefits. Because of the cold, fewer tornadoes have formed (less than 20 have been reported). Tornadoes rely on warm, moist air currents in order to form, which has been scarce due to the Arctic air.
The dropped temperatures have already begun to disappear, however, with only a few days of predicted chill within the next week. With the cold wind dissipating, it will finally start feeling like Spring.
What’s New With HailStrike?
HailStrike is continuing to grow, becoming a dominant force for both the roofing and insurance industries. Our CEO, Dave Carlson, was recently interviewed about our products, further reinforcing the fact that HailStrike is turning into a staple company for these respective industries (the full news article can be found here). So, what makes us so important? The short answer: AniSwaths, OneSites, and Leads.
What are AniSwaths?
The AniSwath is a patent pending algorithm that provides density, duration, and direction of hail storms on a colorized, animated map. This program allows users to track the progression of a storm in real time, which helps identify locations that received the most impact. AniSwaths are date and region specific, and are available for all locations around the nation.
OneSites? What are those?
The OneSite is a comprehensive report detailing all of the storm activity in a specific location over the last two years. OneSites provide ALL weather data for the location, not vague pieces of information. That means there is no more frustrating guess work or interpretation. This report includes:
- Hail size
- Storm speed
- Storm direction
- Storm scale
- Storm duration
- An AniSwath
- Overview map
- HailStrike path map
What is the Leads program?
Our Leads program is designed to help roofers set up appointments and expand their market. HailStrike’s call center will call potential customers – while representing your company – and set up roofing appointments. Of course, we back up each Lead with a 4-point guarantee:
- The homeowner has agreed to be present
- The homeowner has insurance
- The homeowner is not under another contract
- These leads are exclusive to YOU
Any bad Leads will be replaced, free of charge.
So what’s next for HailStrike?
We will continue to provide the roofing and insurance industries with superior products and excellent customer service. Our development team will continue to push the envelop and generate products that will become an industry standard, and we will do everything in our power to make sure that our clients are satisfied, and more importantly, gaining more profit.
We Are On The News!
Our CEO, Dave Carlson, has recently been interviewed about our now-famous AniSwaths and OneSites. Talking with KCTV News about the founding of the company, Carlson discussed how he collaborated with co-founder Daron Sneed about creating an animated storm map (our AniSwaths). “If Daron could equip roofing contractors with an instant AND accurate hail storm data to a specific area and location, then he could also equip and empower insurance companies and adjusters with the same information.” 
Carlson and Sneed spent months creating what HailStrike would eventually become; a national leader in storm tracking and reporting. But it doesn’t end there, notes Carlson. The company is still growing, and because of its products, HailStrike is becoming a staple for both the roofing and insurance industries.
For the full news article and interview, head to KCTV News and read on!
(Hail Related) Earth Day Facts
April 22nd is Earth Day. Every Earth Day, thousands spread the word and do their part to bring attention to the growing environmental problems that are compounding everyday. We at HailStrike support those who are working hard to help create a cleaner, less toxic planet. In order to better understand the effects of pollution, we will present some very frightening (hail) related facts:
According to NASA, pollutants increase the likelihood of hail. Air pollution is much higher during the week, and thus creates problems with atmospheric weather patterns. Aerosols decrease the size of water droplets. Because of the reduced size, the water droplets are more likely to be pushed upwards (due to updrafts) into the clouds instead of immediately falling toward the ground as rain. This increases the chances of the water freezing within the clouds.
It does not end with hail, however. Air pollution also increases the chances of tornado activity. It has been noted that pollution causes weaker cold pools of air to form at the bottom of cloud formations. Tornadoes develop less easily whenever there are cold pools at the base of clouds. But with air pollutants, the cooler pools weaken, allowing warmer drafts to take hold. Such a change in the temperature could potentially allow for a tornado to form – at the very least, it will increase the chances of the formation.
With this in mind, do your part to help stop further environmental damage. It is proven that the continuing misuse of chemicals, aerosols, etc. is affecting weather patterns and the environment. Spread the word and help prevent further damages from occurring. To take action, find a local Earth Day event near you.
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