Top 10 States For Deadly Weather Over Past 5-years

[Steve Miller]

The states with the deadliest weather: http://ow.ly/S93Lf

Despite a historically slow start to tornado season in 2015, more than 400 tornadoes were reported in May alone, roughly double the average in recent years. While some states are more susceptible to violent weather than others, all states could be struck by a natural disaster at any time. Using data from the National Weather Service, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed weather-related fatalities from 2010 through 2014. Nationally, 2,950 people died from natural disasters over that time, or fewer than two people per million residents in each of the five years reviewed...

 

[rdale]

Seems they forgot about driving accidents due to winter weather. That's a pretty bad omission.

 

[Boris Konon]

I recall seeing that statement awhile back for tornadoes this past May, and it is misleading.
They used a preliminary count, which is almost always too high for the normally active
tornado months. 377 actual tornadoes in May 2015 vs. the preliminary 414. And they
said "roughly double the average in recent years". It looks like they (24/7 Wall St where
the statement originated) was using this.

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/monthly/newm.html

Actually the 1991-2010 average is 276 for May, so far from "double" the average.

And they used a 5 year average (2010-2014) to compile the stats? That's way too short of a period for a good overall picture.

May was much above average for tornadoes and April a little above, but overall, this year has been rather inactive.
Jan, Feb, Mar, and Jun were all below average and Jul and Aug will likely end up below as well. Yes, we will probably
crack 1000 U.S. tornadoes this year after three years in a row of not doing it, but unless we get some big outbreaks in Nov,
another well below average year seems in the cards (normal is 1253).

What is most apparent this year is that there only have been 10 tornado fatalities! If this holds, it will be the lowest on
record. Through Aug, the 10 up until this time is the lowest on record. Only one violent tornado as well I believe
(Rochelle IL EF4 in April).

 

[Greg Campbell]

More stats at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats.shtml
The number of heat deaths in Nevada is unexpected.

 

[rdale]

Not really - it's been quite the trend lately. But as with all heat deaths - it all depends on how you count them...

http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/aug/31/coroner-charts-spike-summer-heat-related-deaths/

 

[James Wilson]

Oklahoma only #7 and Nevada? Crazy!