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Why does 2011 stand out from other years in terms of damage from tornadoes?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
2011 is by far the costliest yeard for tornadoes in U.S. history, even after adjustment for inflation, with damages amounting to more than $9 billion. Three tornadoes each had damage costs over $1 billion, the only time more than one tornado in a year had such a cost.
The high cost can largely be attributed to the unusual number of strong to violent tornadoes that hit the United States. This, combined with an increase in urband and subruban development and the fact that several extrmely large, violent tornadoes struck populated areas led to incredible amounts of damage
Most of the damage caused in this year can be attributed to two events:
- An outbreak running April 25-28 which cost $4.8 billion, including $1.3 billion from the Hackleburg tornado and $2.4 billion from the Tuscaloosa tornado. Many violent tornadoes struck on April 27.
- An outbreak on May 21-22 with a cost of $3 billion, including $2.8 billion from the Joplin tornado.
Other highly destructive outbreaks include:
- April 14-16 ($560 million)
- April 19-24 ($260 million)
- June 1 ($230 million)
Taking a look at the three costliest tornadoes, the Tuscaloosa tornado was very large, very intense, and struck two large cities: Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. The Hackleburg tornado, similar in size and even stronger, devastated numerous small towns in Alabma, of which Hackleburg was just the first. The Joplin tornado was similar in size and strength, devastating a large portion of Joplin.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
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What state has the most money damage due to tornadoes?
Texas ranks number one in total number of tornadoes, tornado fatalities, tornado injuries, and damage in terms of monetary cost.
What is the biggest threat tornadoes cause to people?
Loss of property. Most tornadoes cause some sort of property damage, but relatively few tornadoes kill. In terms of danger to life the greatest hazard is flying debris.
How can fire tornadoes affect the economy?
Firewhirls, as they are properly called, can cause extensive property damage by spreading fire to new locations. In terms of winds they are far less powerful than true tornadoes.
What is moderate damage?
"Moderate damage" in terms of tornadoes is damage typical of an F1 (now EF1). Such damage includes roofs severely stripped of material, mobiles homes badly damaged, broken windows and some trees uprooted or snapped.
What would the most destructive tornado measure?
The most destructive tornadoes are generally rated EF5 (formerly F5). However, a few times, F4 and EF4 tornadoes have been listed as the most destructive in terms of damage costs. This is due to the fact that tornadoes are rated based on the severity of the damage the cause rather than the quantity.
What percent of tornadoes are f5's?
About .05% of all tornadoes are rated F5 or EF5. Or, in other terms, about 1 tornado in every 2000.
Why are tornadoes ugly?
Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. Tornadoes do ugly things in destroying homes and hurting and killing people. On the other hand, in terms of appearance, some people find tornadoes beautiful.
What is the significance of tornadoes?
In terms of the wind speeds they can attain, tornadoes are the most violent storms on earth. Although a tornado covers a small swath of land compared with other types of storm, it is can cause far more severe damage. Tornadoes in the EF4 and EF5 range can level entire neighborhoods, and sometimes small towns in a matter of minutes. They are also among them most difficult storms to predict because they are small in weather terms and form quickly.
What makes tornadoes so dangerous if they only reflect on small amount of energy?
Tornadoes do release a rather large amount of energy, though the amount is small compared to other storm types. One way of explaining it is in terms of energy density. While the total amount of energy released by a tornado is less than that of other storms, it is focused in a much smaller area. As a result, damage from tornadoes tends to be severe, but also very localized.
Are tornadoes the most dangerous storm?
When view in terms of the potential fatality rates (the percentage of people in the path of the storm who are killed), yes. Tornadoes can inflict large death tolls despite only covering small areas compared with other storms.
What are long term effects of tornadoes?
Long terms effects of tornadoes include the financial burdens from the damage and the cost of rebuilding, people choosing to move away rather than rebuild, the loss of people who are killed, disabilities from physical injuries, and psychological trauma.
Tornadoes are large masses of what type of pressure?
Tornadoes are areas of low pressure, but in weather terms the are quite small.
