350 people have now been reported to have died in the devastating tornadoes that struck the Southern US States on Wednesday 27th April. It was just a few weeks ago when a reported 240 deadly tornadoes killed 45 people and caused destruction in these Southern States. The devastation caused by the latest outbreaks has been unprecedented; a state of emergency has been declared throughout the affected States.
A reported 300 tornadoes touched down in the latest event and more then 150 on Wednesday according to the US National Weather Service. It is believed that some of these tornadoes may have been more then 1.6 km wide with wind speeds over 320 km per hour (200 mph). According to the Storm Prediction Centre, the tornadogenic super-cell thunderstorms were the most intense witnessed. The intensity of the damage caused, along with the death toll has made this event the worse tornado disaster in 40 decades. The disaster is also one of the worse tornado disasters witnessed in the US after 1925 event, which left 747 people dead.
Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas and Virginia were among the States affected. Alabama, the worse of the affected States took a direct hit. According to officials and witnesses, 90% of the towns, Hackleburg and Dadeville as well as the city of Tuscaloosa in Alabama have been destroyed and left unrecognisable. The damage is widespread; homes, businesses, public buildings, schools and infrastructure have been severely damaged or completely destroyed and turned into debris. Thousands were also left without power in Alabama when authorities had to shut down three nuclear reactors at a power plant.
As the reality of the damage and destruction caused came into light, officials warned that the number of death toll was expected to rise incredibly as search and rescue attempts continued in the affected States. 350 people are now known to have lost their lives and over thousands were injured and left homeless. A confirmed 254 were killed in Alabama, 35 in Mississippi, 34 in Tennessee, 15 in Georgia, 5 in Virginia, 8 in Arkansas and 1 in Kentucky.
The Southern States are also referred to as the tornado alley, where conditions are perfect for the formation of these deadly natural phenomena. The conditions include; a powerful jet stream, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and a cold front from the South.
Astonishing and incredible witness accounts from the survivors of the tornadoes were told. As the clean up operations now start and survivors try to get their life back on track, officials have warned it might take months to get back to normality and rebuild what has been lost. The tornado is likely to have resulted in loses over $2 billion loses. The Government has promised financial aid to help the affected States.
By Saajeda Bandali
No comments:
Post a Comment