The most deadly tornado to strike Oklahoma in more than 50 years, last Monday's event serves as a fresh reminder of the power of nature. It also serves as a reminder of the need for students everywhere to learn about tornadoes, their causes, and the safety precautions that might save lives. Each year, about 100,000 thunderstorms form over the United States. In an average year, between 600 and 1,000 of those thunderstorms generate tornadoes. Every student in the country needs to be prepared to deal with the deadly storms.
Tornadoes are the most destructive of all weather-related events.
On average, a tornado's path is 4 miles long and 400 yards wide but can be as long as 100 miles and as much as a mile wide. Tornadoes can reach heights of 60,000 feet. The average tornado travels at a speed of 25 to 40 mph., but tornadoes can reach speeds up to 70 mph. Winds inside a tornado can swirl at close to 300 mph. Most tornadoes move from southwest to northeast.