Severe Thunderstorms: Nature Most Violent Storms

• Safety
• NOAA All-Hazards Radio

Why Worry About Thunderstorms?

Lightning...

• Causes an average of 55-60 fatalities and 400 injuries each year
• Occurs with all thunderstorms
• Costs more than $1 billion in insured losses each year

Tornadoes...

• Cause an average of 60-65 fatalities and 1,500 injuries each year
• Can produce wind speeds in excess of 200 mph
• Can be 1 mile wide and stay on the ground over 50 miles

Severe Thunderstorm Winds...

• Can exceed 125 mph
• Can cause destruction equal to a tornado
• Are extremely dangerous to aviation

Flash Floods and Floods...

• Are the #1 cause of deaths associated with thunderstorms, more than 90 fatalities each year

Hail...

• Can be larger than a softball (5 inches in diameter)
• Causes more than $1 billion in crop and property damage