Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can uproot trees and buildings, and turn harmless objects into deadly missiles. They can devastate a neighborhood in seconds. A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel- shaped cloud that extends to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Floods can occur in low-lying areas due to rising rivers, creeks, gullies and culverts.
Floods develop over a period of days.
Flash floods carry a deadly cargo of rocks, mud and other debris. Moving water only six inches deep can sweep you off your feet. It only takes two feet of water to cause a vehicle to become buoyant. The results can range from isolation due to blocked roads and downed power lines to the havoc of cars and trucks sliding on icy highways.