The tornado that killed 116 people in Joplin, Missouri, was the deadliest single U.S. twister since 1953, with winds that may have reached 198 miles per hour (319 kph), according to Jack Hayes, director of the National Weather Service.
At least 481 people have died in tornadoes so far this year, the earliest such a high toll has ever been reached, said Russell Schneider, director of the weather service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Tomorrow is expected to be another active day for tornados from Kansas to Texas.
“We are now on pace for a record year for tornado fatalities,” Schneider said on conference call with reporters today. “I think we have to be aware that we are just now entering the peak of the season.”
We have a severe line of thunderstorms heading right for us. I hope there will be no tornadoes. There are tornado warnings to the north of us and storm warnings to the west--we're under a watch right now, but it shouldn't take too long to get here, so I'm going to keep an eye on the weather tonight.
The pictures of Joplin (and earlier, those from the tornado outbreak at the end of April down South) show just how devastating the storms can be. If you would like to donate to the American Red Cross, which is helping people in localities struck by these tragedies, you can either click on the bar at the top of this screen or text REDCROSS to 90999. Note that giving to the general, 'where need is greatest' helps make sure that charity organisations can use funds more efficiently.
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