I Survived the Joplin Tornado, 2011

When Dr. Gage arrives to pick up Dex, he and David embrace warmly. Dr. Gage gives them a tour of his specially-equipped SUV, which includes both security features and research equipment. The storm has already become “a supercell,” which is “the most dangerous and violent” type of thunderstorm, one capable of creating tornados (25). Dr. Gage reveals the research project he is working on to determine whether tornados make a particular sound as they begin to form, information that could help with early detection. He shows Dex and David his “sound pods,” apple-sized metal balls that contain recording equipment (26). Shot into the sky, they then transmit sounds back to Dr. Gage’s lab. After saying goodbye to David and Zeke, Dr. Gage and Dex head off.

As they drive through downtown, Dr. Gage notes that Joplin must be “a great place to grow up” (30). Dex agrees, noting privately that while he would like to “travel the world” someday, “he’d always be happy to come home to Joplin” (50).

On their way toward Kansas, they encounter fellow storm chasers Jimmy and Sara. Dr. Gage asks about Jimmy’s leg, which he had injured chasing an EF-5 tornado, the strongest, most “violent twisters that wipe out whole towns” (32).