It's only been a few months since the beginning of 2008, but in that short span of time nature have already caused widespread destruction and severe grief in the form of several killer tornadoes in the US. In February alone there were at least 50 tornadoes, 11 of them earning the label "killer". Tennessee was the hardest hit state, with a total of 32 tornado-related deaths. Other severely affected areas include Arkansas with 13 deaths, Kentucky with seven, and Alabama with six. There were also several indirect fatalities, as well as extensive infrastructure damage and many incidents of serious injuries.
A month earlier, there were at least six tornado-related deaths. One of them was a man who died from several injuries incurred during a tornado attack. He died three weeks after the disaster, in a hospital, on his 100th birthday. Two were composed of an elderly woman and her daughterm whose mobile home were destroyed by an EF-2 tornado. There are a few other deaths and several injuries.
More recently, in April, three tornadoes devastated Suffolk, Virginia, with one of them leaving behind a 25-mile trail of destruction. The National Weather Service and meteorologists labeled this tornado a "major" one--and why shouldn't they? All over Suffolk, smashed homes, tossed cars, and downed power lines littered the streets, mixed with the sad faces of people who were affected. Apart from structural damage, at least 200 people were injured, and an additional 18 more in Colonial Heights.
Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist, estimated the monster tornado's speed at 86-110mph. It was so strong that the tin roof of one building was rolled up like a sardine can, and its windows were blown out and furniture was all over the place. Another building completely lost its second story, while a resident hid in the first-floor bathroom. Several other houses were completely ripped from their foundations.
Throughout the day, buses carried residents to safe areas, steering clear of debris like power lines and tree limbs. While several inconveniences like widespread power outages took place, there have been no reported fatalities yet, thankfully, and this is probably due to the preventive measures taken. Like Chris Jones, Suffolk ex-mayor said, it could have been much worse.
A month earlier, there were at least six tornado-related deaths. One of them was a man who died from several injuries incurred during a tornado attack. He died three weeks after the disaster, in a hospital, on his 100th birthday. Two were composed of an elderly woman and her daughterm whose mobile home were destroyed by an EF-2 tornado. There are a few other deaths and several injuries.
More recently, in April, three tornadoes devastated Suffolk, Virginia, with one of them leaving behind a 25-mile trail of destruction. The National Weather Service and meteorologists labeled this tornado a "major" one--and why shouldn't they? All over Suffolk, smashed homes, tossed cars, and downed power lines littered the streets, mixed with the sad faces of people who were affected. Apart from structural damage, at least 200 people were injured, and an additional 18 more in Colonial Heights.
Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist, estimated the monster tornado's speed at 86-110mph. It was so strong that the tin roof of one building was rolled up like a sardine can, and its windows were blown out and furniture was all over the place. Another building completely lost its second story, while a resident hid in the first-floor bathroom. Several other houses were completely ripped from their foundations.
Throughout the day, buses carried residents to safe areas, steering clear of debris like power lines and tree limbs. While several inconveniences like widespread power outages took place, there have been no reported fatalities yet, thankfully, and this is probably due to the preventive measures taken. Like Chris Jones, Suffolk ex-mayor said, it could have been much worse.
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