In part because of this lack of data, most epidemiologic studies have concentrated on tornado-related deaths, which are more easily measured and less numerous than tornado-related injuries. Morbidity studies following tornadoes have been limited because victims seek medical care in many diverse locations and because patient-care documentation during a disaster may not be a priority for emergency responders (38). In addition, very little research has been done to relate the physical characteristics of a given tornado (e.g., wind speed, width, duration, etc.) with the tornado's public health effects. Studies to determine optimal tornado-warning dissemination strategies are lacking, and the potential for new media technologies such as satellite transmission and cable television to disseminate storm warnings effectively has not been thoroughly evaluated.