Thursday, May 26, 2011
Figures about the tornado that ripped through Joplin, Mo., on Sunday and the 2011 tornado season. All “record” statistics represent the official record of the National Weather Service, which covers 1950 to present day.
JOPLIN TORNADO
— People killed: 125.
— Survivors rescued: 9.
— Injured: More than 900.
— Unaccounted for: 232. Authorities believe most are safe and are urging those named to check in with authorities.
— Buildings destroyed: An estimated 8,000.
— About the tornado: Deadliest single tornado since records began in 1950. Storm Prediction Center says unofficial records show last single tornado with greater death toll occurred in 1947. National Weather Service rated the storm an EF5, the highest rating based on inflicted damage. Winds exceeded 200 mph.
TORNADO COUNT
— Tornadoes to strike Joplin: 1.
— Preliminary tornado reports made so far in the U.S. in May: 221, through May 25.
— Average number of tornadoes in May during the past decade: 298.
— Record for tornadoes in May: 542, in 2003.
— Preliminary tornado reports made so far in 2011: 1,308, through May 25.
— Average number of confirmed tornadoes in a single year during the past decade: 1,274.
— Highest recorded number of confirmed tornadoes in a single year: 1,817, in 2004.
WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
— Total severe weather watches issued since Sunday by the NWS’s Storm Prediction Center: 57.
— Total tornado watches issued since Sunday by the NWS’s Storm Prediction Center: 30.
— Total severe weather warnings issued since Saturday by local NWS offices: 2,146.
— Tornado warnings issues since Saturday by local NWS offices: 542.
DEATH TOLL
— People killed in Joplin tornado: 125.
— People killed in Oklahoma from storms this week: 10.
— People killed in Kansas from storms this week: 2.
— People killed in Arkansas from storms this week: 4.
— People killed in 2011 prior to Joplin tornado: 365.
— People killed in 2011, as of May 26: 506.
— Highest recorded death toll in a single year: 519, in 1953.
Source: Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr; Missouri Department of Public Safety; National Weather Service and it’s Storm Prediction Center’s preliminary tornado data; FEMA.