Between midnight on December 10 and early morning on December 11, 2021 (local time), more than 30 tornadoes occurred in six states in the southern and midwestern United States, and severe damage was reported in various regions. The number of victims in Kentucky is estimated to be over 80, and the number of victims in the United States is estimated to be over 100.

We would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to all those who have been affected. We are concerned about the suffering and hardships of those affected by the disaster, and hope for the earliest possible recovery of the affected areas. We would also like to express my deepest respect to those who are engaged in rescue activities and various support activities after the disaster.

In the Japan Society of Wind Engineering (JAWE), the Wind Disaster Research Group has been collecting information to assess the damage situation immediately after the disaster. JAWE is also conducting various surveys, research activities, and social awareness-raising activities with the aim of reducing strong wind disasters such as typhoons and tornadoes. We will continue to make further efforts to reduce damage caused by strong winds and to create a safe and secure society.

December 13, 2021

Yasuo Okuda, Dr.Eng.

President, Japan Society of Wind Engineering (JAWE)