Book Review

Reading Rainbow: Un-Natural Disasters

This is a book review of Un-Natural Disasters written by former KWQC Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails and his wife Carolyn Wettstone. Unlike the previous book from the Gazette, this book also covers the EF5 tornado that hit Parkersburg and New Hartford 6 months ago along with the Flood of 2008. This book was very well thought out. Numerous pictures of the tornado in question, some of which I hadn’t seen prior. Before and after shots of homes literally destroyed, and stories of people who lived through the events that occurred in the Butler County communities. A look at previous F5/EF5 tornadoes including pictures of damage from them adorns this book. Then it goes to the flood, where numerous pictures from all over the eastern side of the state with stories from the people who were there. From National Weather Service People, city officials to victims of the flood, the stories they tell will make you relive the moments through their eyes. Included also is a note from Governor Chet Culver and US Senator Charles Grassley (who witnessed the tornado from his farmstead near New Hartford). Anyone who wasn’t effected by these “Un-Natural Disasters” should be thankful this Thanksgiving and be praying for those that were effected. This is a MUST have book, based on the detail of the tornado with the warnings included, the flood statements from the NWS in the Quad Cities. Terry and Carolyn made sure no stone was left unturned in describing the scene for the reader. A review of the DVD that came with this book will follow shortly.