By Jamie Jordan
Lake County Banner
In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and lightening cause hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions in property and crop damages.
Flooding is a coast-to-coast threat to some part of the United States and its territories nearly every day of the year.
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground.
Tornadoes are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. Tornadoes can occur at any time of day or night and at any time of the year.
Although tornadoes are most common in the Central Plains and the Southern Eastern United States, they have been reported in all 50 states. Lightening strikes in the United States about 25 million times a year.
Although lightening occurs in the summer, people can be struck at any time of year.
Lightning kills about 20 people in the United States each year, and hundreds more are severely injured. Severe thunderstorms are officially defined as storms that are capable of producing hail that is an inch or larger or wind gusts over 58 mph.
Hail this size can damage property such as plants, roofs, and vehicles.
Wind this strong is able to break off large branches, knock over tress, or cause structural damage to trees.
Some severe storms can produce hail larger than softballs or winds over 100mph, so please play attention to the weather so you know when severe storms are possible.
Always be aware of the weather conditions in your area.
For more information go to www.weather.gov
