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Tornadoes Wreak Havoc in the South
Weird weather turned deadly last week in five Southern states. A harsh winter storm in the South caused tornadoes that ripped through homes, overturned cars, and killed over 50 people. In Tennessee, 1,000 houses were destroyed. A tornado even hit a university. No students were killed, but 51 were injured when a tornado that sounded like a freight train hit the school's buildings. It was the third time in 10 years that Union University was hit by tornadoes.
In Arkansas, tornadoes killed 13 people. Governor Mike Beebe declared disasters in 10 counties in that state. He said the damage was terrible, but that he saw neighbors and even strangers helping each other. He also said that the people of Arkansas would rebuild.
Alabama and Mississippi were also hit by tornadoes. The strongest had 180-mile an hour winds. Another with 150-mile winds cut a path a half mile wide and 19 miles long. Crews of workers are clearing away the trees that fell across the roads and highways.
Tornadoes are created when a warm, moist air mass and a cold, dryer one meet. The change in temperature and pressure causes a spinning updraft of wind. Tornadoes last less than an hour, but in that short time can do an incredible amount of damage.
I'm Ben and that's what happened in our nation this week.
How well do you know your southern states? Play Pinpoint.
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