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New theory addresses frozen Earth paradox
NORMAN, Okla., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The number of tornadoes reported in the United States reached a record during 2004, surpassing the previous high by almost 300, weather officials reported.
Officials at the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, which compiles statistics on twisters, said a total of 1,717 tornadoes were reported in 2004, compared with 1,424 in 1998 and 1,368 last year.
At the same time, there were only 35 storm-related fatalities, which is "significantly lower" than the annual average, and which officials attribute to the sophisticated early warning system now in place in tornado-prone areas.
On average, twisters occur about 1,200 times each year and kill about 55 people, injure 1,500 and cause more than $400 million in damage.
Considered nature's most violent storms, tornadoes can occur any month of the year with peak activity from the months of March through July.
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