tornadoes News

Multiple Twisters Hit South Central States, Cause Minor Damage

Tornadoes that hit the South Central states of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas over the past weekend caused minimal damage but with them Oklahoma saw the end of its eight-month twister-less streak. Surveys by National Weather Service teams determined that damaging …

Oklahoma on a Tornado-Less Streak: 8 Months Without One

Oklahoma hasn’t had a tornado or a tornado warning for more than eight months, though it is doubtful Oklahoma will be able to match its longest streak ever without a twister. Things have been unusually quiet through the first three …

Estimate of Insured Losses in North Texas Storms Reaches $300M

The storms that rolled across the Denton area in north Texas in early April are estimated to have caused $300 million in insured losses. The area was hit by softball size hail and three tornadoes. The thunderstorms erupted April 3 …

Large Hail, Tornadoes Pound Denton, Texas Area

An outbreak of severe thunderstorms north of Dallas, Texas, on Apr. 4 produced hurricane force winds, tornadoes and hail reported to be as large as grapefruits. Several communities are reporting extensive damage. Severe storms first hit Denton around 4 p.m. …

Northern California Sees Tornadoes Touch Down

Several tornadoes touched down during storms in Northern California, including one twister near Sacramento that damaged a dozen homes and left a path of debris about 300 yards long. The National Weather Service says a funnel cloud touched down near …

Kansas Researcher Seeks Clue to Some Tornadoes’ Paths

Weather officials in Kansas will be watching major thunderstorms this year for a clue about wind speeds that may help indicate the path of potential tornadoes. The research stems from tornadoes last year in Kansas and Oklahoma that baffled weather …

Durability of Oklahoma School Storm Shelter Tested in Demolition

An excavator tore down an aging former school in rural Oklahoma, but it was what was left standing that drew a crowd. After the ceilings and concrete walls of the old Little Axe middle school came down with ease, a …

Oklahoma, Texas Had Costliest Natural Disasters in 2013: Hartwig

The Oklahoma tornadoes of May 2013 not only caused significant loss of life but also contributed to its designation last year as the costliest state for natural disaster related insurance payouts, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). “Oklahoma’s policyholders …

Dubious Distinction: Texas, Oklahoma Have Most Twisters in 2013

Texas and Oklahoma led the nation in the number of tornadoes last year. Oklahoma’s 79 was well above the state’s average of 57. Texas had 81. Greg Carbin, the warning coordination meteorologist with the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, told …

National Tornado Summit Focused on Catastrophe Preparedness, Response

The third annual National Tornado Summit being held Feb. 10 and 11 in Oklahoma City will bring together insurance industry professionals, emergency managers, policymakers and weather experts. Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak says it’s an unequaled opportunity for attendees to …