Meteorologist Jennifer Saari Reflects on Impact of 1990 Tornado

UPDATE: Jennifer Saari, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, is making headlines as she reflects on her childhood experiences during the devastating F5 tornado that struck Plainfield, Illinois, on August 28, 1990. Though just a toddler at the time, the destruction left a lasting impact on her life and career trajectory.

Saari vividly recalls the harrowing events from that fateful day. Living in nearby Joliet, she was sheltered in her home basement with her mother when the storm hit. “I remember my mom trying to call my great-grandparents, but all she heard was, ‘Hello?’ and a click,” Saari shared, highlighting the terrifying uncertainty that filled their hearts.

When they reached Plainfield, the devastation was palpable. “We had to navigate downed power lines that looked as if a giant had torn through them,” she said. Saari’s family was fortunate; her great-grandparents survived with minor injuries, while nearby relatives faced similar fates. The tornado claimed 29 lives and injured 353 others, marking it as the only F5 tornado to strike the U.S. in August.

The destruction prompted Saari’s family to rebuild their lives on land scarred by the storm. “Growing up on that tornado-scarred land, I knew I wanted to become a meteorologist,” she said, driven by a commitment to protect others from similar disasters.

In 2011, Saari began her career at the National Weather Service in Huntsville, Alabama. Coincidentally, her orientation was delayed due to violent tornadoes that swept through the region, leaving over 250 people dead. “It was like a marching band of Plainfield tornadoes,” she remarked, reinforcing her determination to contribute to community preparedness efforts.

Saari’s role extends beyond traditional meteorology. As the team lead for the NWS’ National Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outreach Team, she actively engages with the deaf community to improve storm preparedness. “I found that many needed more options for alerts,” Saari noted, leading initiatives to provide specialized weather radios for the deaf, which vibrate and flash to signal severe weather warnings.

Her advocacy has gained national attention, with Saari playing a pivotal role in enhancing weather preparedness education across the U.S. “You need to be weather-ready,” she emphasized, noting improvements in technology since 1990. Yet, she insists that effective communication remains vital, stating, “A perfect warning is no good if people don’t know what to do.”

Reflecting on her family’s experience, Saari expressed a deep commitment to ensure no one faces the same helplessness as her relatives did during the Plainfield tornado. “My family had no warning, and we were lucky,” she stated. “I’m working to make sure everyone is ready for the next big storm.”

As communities across the nation observe the anniversary of the Plainfield tornado, Saari’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters. With her work, she is honoring her family’s legacy and ensuring that the lessons learned from that tragic day are never forgotten.

Stay tuned for more updates on Saari’s initiatives and the ongoing efforts to improve weather preparedness nationwide.