Routes to towns where tornadoes have struck America
The United States experiences about 1,000 tornadoes annually each year.
Some of the cities most affected by tornadoes are:
Moore, Oklahoma:
- On 3 May 1999, Moore was hit by an EF5 tornado, the most powerful tornado ever recorded in the United States.
- The tornado was 1.3 miles wide and had wind speeds up to 300 miles per hour.
- 139 people died and more than 6,000 were injured.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama:
- On 27 April 2011, an EF5 tornado struck Tuscaloosa, killing 64 people and injuring more than 1,500.
- The tornado was 1.5 miles wide and had wind speeds up to 318 miles per hour.
Joplin, Missouri:
- On 22 May 2011, an EF5 tornado struck Joplin, killing 161 people and injuring more than 9,000.
- The tornado was 1 mile wide and had wind speeds up to 200 mph.
These towns were rebuilt after the tornado, but the scars from these natural disasters remain.
Visiting these towns can be a meaningful experience in your life and will leave a lasting impression.
Caution should be exercised when visiting these cities as they may have dangerous areas.
Remember that tornadoes can occur anywhere and anytime.
If you find yourself in a tornado zone, it is important to know what to do to stay safe.
Here are some tips:
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast and watch for tornado warnings.
- If you hear a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately.
- The best shelter is an underground room, such as a basement or tornado shelter.
- If you cannot find an underground shelter, lie down in a ditch or other low-lying area.
- Cover your head and neck with your arms.
- Stay in the shelter until the tornado subsides.
There are several hiking trails through towns that have had tornadoes. They are designed to introduce people to the destructive power of these natural disasters and the resilience of the communities that have survived them.
1. Moore, Oklahoma:
- Moore Meteorological Centre Museum: This museum tells the history of tornadoes in Moore, including the 1999 EF5 tornado.
- Moore Tornado Victims Memorial: This memorial is dedicated to the 139 people who died as a result of the 1999 tornado.
2. Tuscaloosa, Alabama:
- Tuscaloosa Tornado Memorial Park: This park has a memorial to the victims of the 2011 tornado as well as an educational trail about tornadoes.
- Tuscaloosa Recovery Centre: This centre tells the story of Tuscaloosa’s recovery from the 2011 tornado.
3. Joplin, Missouri:
- Joplin Tornado Museum: This museum tells the history of tornadoes in Joplin, including the 2011 EF5 tornado.
- Joplin Tornado Memorial: This memorial is dedicated to the 161 people who died as a result of the 2011 tornado.