Texas Tech University

Researchers Who Helped Develop Enhanced Fujita Scale, Establish National Storm Shelter Association Available to Speak to Media Via Zoom

Amanda Bowman

May 8, 2020

Fifty years after a devastating tornado struck Lubbock, Texas Tech University’s Kishor Mehta and Ernst Kiesling are available to speak on their research that resulted from the fateful event.

WHAT:
Virtual interviews with Texas Tech University wind energy and wind damage experts Kishor Mehta and Ernst Kiesling

WHEN:
Monday, May 11
• 9 a.m.: Mehta
• 11 a.m.: Kiesling

WHERE:
Interviews will be conducted virtually via Zoom

EVENT:
May 11 marks the 50th anniversary of the Lubbock tornado. Out of that night of destruction came important research. From that day, Kishor Mehta, Horn Professor of civil, environmental and construction engineering, led the team that created the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale. The EF Scale rates the intensity of tornadoes based on the damage they cause.

Ernst Kiesling, professor emeritus, realized small structures in the middle of houses better withstood wind damage. This led him to establish the National Storm Shelter Association, of which he currently is the executive director. Kiesling can discuss the construction and use of residential and community shelters. He has more than 50 years of experience in the field documenting storm damage, writing performance standards for safe rooms and verifying compliance of safe rooms with those standards.

Mehta will be available for interviews via Zoom at 9 a.m. Kiesling will be available for interviews via Zoom at 11 a.m.

The meeting link, ID and password are the same for both interviews.

Join the meeting: https://zoom.us/j/9517835834?pwd=QlVJUFEvYTNKSmEyUjl0UUNKeXVrQT09

Meeting ID: 951-783-5834
Password: 7ETmUE

CONTACT:
Amanda Bowman
Media Relations Specialist
amanda.bowman@ttu.edu
(806) 834-5897