Tornadoes occur around the world, most notably in the United States, South America and parts of Africa and Asia. One of the key points of activity is a section of the U.S. known as Tornado Alley, which is considered to be where tornadoes are most common. According to the United States National Weather Service, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has the dubious honor of having been struck by tornadoes more often than any other city in the U.S., with the count in excess of 100.
More about the power of tornadoes:
- Tornado Alley encompasses the eastern section of South Dakota, eastern Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and northern Texas. The flat terrain in the Great Plains provides the ideal conditions for cold air from Canada to meet the warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, leading to the formation of tornadoes.
- One of the deadliest tornadoes in recorded history was the Tri-State Tornado of 18 March 1925. The tornado traveled a total of 219 miles, killing 695 people in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana.
- Although Oklahoma City holds the record for the most tornadoes, tiny Codell, Kansas, holds the distinction of being struck on the same date for three consecutive years, with tornadoes occurring on 20 May of 1916, 1917 and 1918.