Tornadoes, damaging wind, hail and flooding rains are a fact of life in the United States in the springtime. This season however has seen an absolutely devastating series of storms systems that have brought extraordinary levels of destruction and loss of life.
Among our writing assignments for Examiner.com we are the Natural Disasters Examiner. Of late the vast majority of our coverage has centered on the severe weather. Below are some of the stories we have written in recent days about the outbreaks. Follow the links for greater detail including photos and videos.
Deadly severe weather season continues as 13 killed across three states
Mother Nature continues to pile on more severe weather in what has been a particularly devastating and deadly spring in the United States. Tornadoes, hail, and damaging wind struck the central and southern U.S. yesterday killing at least 13 people.
Deadly Joplin, Missouri tornado rated EF5; Death toll climbs to 125
The tornado that ripped through the southwestern Missouri town of Joplin on Sunday has quickly achieved its place in the annals of weather history. The National Weather Service has completed its evaluation of the deadly twister and given it the highest possible rating even as the death toll continues to climb.
2011 tornado statistics provide chilling empirical evidence of a deadly season
The scenes of utter devastation have been played out across the nation this spring as tornadoes rip across the landscape. The latest statistics for the tornado season show clearly that the death toll has been staggering and the number of twisters record-setting.
Tornado statistics: Top 25 deadliest tornado seasons in U.S. history
On average the United States suffers 80 deaths per year because of tornadoes, more than any other nation on the globe. As warning systems and forecasts have improved the number of tornado-related fatalities has been decreasing but history shows that the loss of life can still be substantial.
Tornado statistics: Top 25 deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history
With an average of 1,200 tornadoes per year, more twisters strike the United States than any other nation in the world. These storms can strike with deadly effects with a single twister covering more than a hundred miles, wiping out entire towns and claiming dozens of lives.
Video captures sheer terror of residents as tornado rips apart Joplin, Missouri
The deadliest tornado since 1953 ripped through the southwestern town of Joplin, Missouri yesterday reducing parts of the town to rubble. A new YouTube video captures the terror felt by residents as they hudled in the back of a convenience store as the twister made a direct hit.