The town of Golden City, Missouri is in mourning after a devastating tornado touched down on Wednesday, killing five people and leaving dozens injured. The twister left behind extensive damage to homes and businesses, uprooting trees and tearing away roofs. The National Weather Service said the storm was an EF-3 with winds reaching up to 140 mph. As residents cleanup the wreckage from the tornado, they are now bracing for more severe weather as flooding is expected through much of southern Missouri over the weekend.
Local authorities have warned residents to take precautions as rivers continue to rise due to recent heavy rains that have saturated parts of Missouri. Residents should be aware that flash flood warnings will likely remain in effect until Sunday evening.
Snow is also forecast for parts of the Midwest, while temperatures are expected to fall in many areas east of the Rockies. The cold snap will be short-lived however, as temperatures look to rebound by the end of the weekend. Meanwhile, coastal areas along both coasts may see some rain and wind as a system moves off shore. But overall, conditions should remain relatively quiet across much of the country into next week.
More than 60 people have been killed by tornadoes in the US this year, with most of them occurring in the South and Midwest. Last weekend saw a significant number of tornadoes causing damage across the country.
Tornadoes can occur in any season but they are most common during the spring and summer months. They are often associated with severe thunderstorms, which can produce high winds and heavy rain. Tornadoes usually move quickly across a region, causing significant destruction along their path. The National Weather Service keeps an official record of tornado activity in the US each year.
Since 1950, there have been more than 10,000 deaths due to tornadic storms nationwide—or one death every three days on average. While many fatalities occur in rural areas or open fields where few people live, even populated cities like Joplin, Missouri have experienced deadly tornadoes that killed hundreds of people over the years. It is important for everyone to be aware of potential tornado threats throughout the year and take necessary precautions when these storms do arrive.
This includes staying indoors if possible and identifying safe locations within your home or business should a storm approach suddenly. Additionally, it is important to stay informed about weather conditions by listening to local radio stations or television broadcasts for updates on severe weather events in your area.