Digital News Report – Strong storms and tornadoes hit Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas Tuesday. There were warnings throughout those states as storms traveled from west to east.
At least nine people have been killed.
The largest storm struck midday in Caddo County Oklahoma and then headed towards Canadian County. At least five people were killed in this storm and 60 people were injured.
In St John Kansas a huge twister pushed a tree onto a car killing two people.
The National Weather Service reports that storms moved across north Texas. The Rangers-White Sox game was interrupted during the fourth inning.
Just two days ago a category (EF) five tornado hit Joplin Mo killing 122 and injuring more than 750. The Joplin Globe reports that this was the single deadliest tornado since modern record keeping began in 1950.
Air from the Gulf of Mexico has been extremely warm. As the warm air hits colder air in the Jet Stream, tornadoes and severe weather patterns begin to form. Forecasters expect this to be an above average year for tornadoes. Typically the United States can expect 1,200 tornadoes. Already this year there have been nearly 1,100.
By Mark Williams