Tornadoes

In an average year, tornadoes cause 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries nationwide.
Tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, but are found most frequently in the U.S.
Tornadoes can produce winds in excess of 250 mph.
Tornadoes can be more than a mile wide and stay on the ground for more than 50 miles.
The average tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but they have been known to move in any direction.
Waterspouts are tornadoes which form over warm water.
Tornadoes can occur any time of the year.
Twisters are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m., but can happen at any time.

Lightning

Each spark of lightning can soar to 50,000 Degrees Fahrenheit.
There are 1,800 thunderstorms in progress at any given time on Earth.
Lightning has been known to strike 10 miles from the storm in an area of clear sky above.
The longest bolt of lightning seen to date was 118 miles long. It was seen in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
Lightning strikes 30 million points on the ground in a given year in the U.S.
Lightning injures approximately 1000 people each year.

Flooding

Flooding causes more damage in the U.S. than any other severe weather related event-an average of $4.6 billion per year from 1984-2003.
Flooding can occur in any of the 50 states or U.S. territories any time of the year.
Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle-related.
Most flash floods are caused by slow moving thunderstorms, thunderstorms that move repeatedly over the same area or heavy rains from tropical storms and hurricanes.
Flash floods can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and scour out new channels.