Post by CMF Newsman on Jan 29, 2012 12:26:27 GMT -5
The mention of tornadoes typically reminds people of the Great Plains. States like Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas have traditionally been called “tornado alley” because of the frequency and severity of twisters there. But you might be surprised to find out that Southern states have been seeing just as many tornadoes as the mid-section of our country recently and sometimes more.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley is working to rebuild parts of his state after it was slammed with raging tornadoes multiple times over the past year. In fact, 177 tornadoes hit Alabama in 2011 making it the state with the highest number of twisters, according to the National Weather Service. The South saw a large increase in tornadoes in 2011. Mississippi was right behind Alabama in second place with 169 tornadoes and North Carolina was fourth with 113. Although tornado season hasn’t quite started yet for most of the country, Alabama is already ranked in the top spot for 2012, with 22 tornado strikes since New Year’s Day.
Coping with severe weather has been a top issue for officials in Alabama. Governor Bentley formed the Tornado Recovery Action Council after tornadoes killed 248 people on April 27, 2011 across the state. Ironically, the recommendations from the council were delivered to the Governor last Monday -- the same day multiple tornadoes ripped through the state, killing two people.
In a 117-page report delivered to the governor, the council came up with 20 recommendations: tougher building codes, more tornado shelters and sales tax holidays for storm preparedness and emergency supplies. Louisiana and Virginia have an existing sales tax holiday to encourage residents to be prepared before severe weather strikes. The report also calls for unannounced casualty drills, continuing campaigns about emergency preparedness and tax incentives for home and business owners to build safe rooms.
Read more: www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/28/alabama-most-tornado-prone-state-in-2011