Hazardous weather impacts
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The most
storm-related fatalities in the United States, over the past
30 years, have been attributed to floods, with an average
of 99 each year; followed by lightning, with 62; and tornadoes,
54.
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The devastating
flooding of 2008 directly resulted in six fatalities in
Illinois. Four of the fatalities occurred in vehicles trying to
cross a flooded roadway. This was the most since the major
flooding in 1993.
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Tornadoes in
Illinois have killed 202 people, and injured nearly 4,100 since
1950.
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Average annual damage from tornadoes,
hurricanes and floods in the U.S. is about $14 billion.
Central and southeast Illinois severe weather statistics
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In 2008, 83
percent of all severe weather events (damaging winds,
tornadoes and large hail) in central and southeast Illinois had
advance warning by the NWS in Lincoln, with an average lead
time of 19 minutes.
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The peak
of the severe weather season in this area extends from
March 20 through Sept. 3.
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During the 10-year
period from 1999 through 2008, severe weather has occurred
six times on two calendar dates: May 31 and Aug. 18.
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Of the top 15 counties with the most
tornadoes in the state, 10 are in central or eastern Illinois.
These are Logan County, ranked No. 2; McLean, No. 3; Sangamon,
No. 4; Tazewell, No. 5; Woodford, No. 8; Macon, No. 10;
Champaign, No. 11; Piatt, No. 12; Coles, No. 13; and Douglas,
No. 15. (Data based on tornadoes per 100 square miles from 1950
to 2008)
Visit
www.weather.gov/Lincoln for the latest weather and river
forecasts, warnings, current conditions, radar and satellite
imagery, and climate information.
[Text from file from
National Weather Service,
Lincoln office]
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