PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. -- Four years ago, one of the worst tornado outbreaks in this nation's history tore through parts of the southeast causing billions of dollars in damage and killing 324 people.
Earlier this month, the National Weather Service unveiled changes in their warning system, in an effort to better communicate the threat for severe weather.
National Weather Service meteorologist David Nadler said new warnings will be based on impact.
"What the weather service has done, along with social scientists, is...take what we have in our existing warning and draw out bits and pieces to elevate the wording," Nadler said.
Nadler believes these changes will make a difference.
"Based on public feedback and from social scientists that it will enhance people's reaction and hopefully increase immediate action when tornado warnings are issued," said Nadler.
Tornado warnings are a critical element in saving lives, but for some weather events there's not much a warning can do.
"When you have an unprecedented record event like that…there's not a whole lot that you can do to avoid someone getting hurt or killed…because the destruction is so widespread," Nadler said.
Thankfully, those events are rare.
In three days, a total of 293 tornadoes impacted 21 states from Texas to New York. The total damage was $10.2 billion.
