Value Investing News

Plains States Hit By Tornado Touchdowns

On Monday, May 10, a lot more than 40 tornadoes touched down across Kansas and Oklahoma. Dozens were injured, 5 were killed, and hailstones as large as baseballs were reported. Thousands had their power knocked out. Considering the size of the storms in question, damage seems minimal. Multiple tornado touchdowns due to a single storm are referred to as "tornado families," and a lot more than just a little instant money to repair the damage is sometimes required.

Great Plains besieged by tornado family

There had been a tornado warning since a large storm front moved to the Great Plains last week. (The Rocky Mountains block any weather moving in from the Pacific, which creates a low pressure area east of the mountains. Low pressure plus big storms equals bad news.) 40 tornadoes in total touched down over Kansas and Oklahoma, and hail as large as baseballs fell from the sky.

Oklahoma hit harder

Oklahoma had the worse of the damage and all the fatalities. Two fatalities occurred in Oklahoma City and the other three in Norman. Norman is in Cleveland County, directly south of Oklahoma County, where Oklahoma City is located. According to the New York Times, a tornado warning and storm advisory were issued in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas.

Touchdown in Kansas

There was a tornado or two in Kansas, but damage was less extensive. Some residences in Belmont Kansas sustained damage, and a few semi-trucks were overturned, according to ABC News.

It was in Tornado Alley

There is unique features of weather for each and each and every region. They call the Great Plains Tornado Alley due to the unique susceptibility of the region to tornadoes being produced by storms. More severe damage from tornadoes could be caused in the South, as the Mississippi and Alabama tornadoes various weeks ago did. The website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has storm warnings and weather information available. There is nevertheless a severe thunderstorm warning in effect for Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.