Huge Tornado Hits Oklahoma; Kills 91, Including 20 Children

Oklahoma City suburbs, US: 91 people, including 20 children were killed because of huge tornado that went through Oklahoma City suburbs in US on 20 May 2013. The worst affected area was Moore, situated towards the south of Oklahoma.

The tornado travelled with the speed of 200 mph or 320 kmph. Apart from 91 killed, 120 are seriously injured. The President of US, Barack Obama declared the Oklahoma tornado as the major disaster.

Tornadoes, high winds as well as hail storms hit Kansas as well.

Worst tornadoes in US since 1900:

• 18 May 1902: 114 deaths in Goliad, Texas
• 24 April 1908: 143 deaths in Amite, Louisiana and Purvis Mississippi
• 23 March 1913: 103 deaths in Omaha, Nebraska
• 18 March 1925: 695 deaths in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana
• 5 April 1936: 216 deaths in Tupelo, Mississippi
• 6 April 1936: 203 deaths in Gainesville, Georgia
• 9 April 1947: 181 deaths in Woodward, Oklahoma
• 11 May 1953: 114 deaths in Waco, Texas
• 8 June 1953: 116 deaths in Flint, Michigan
• 22 May 2011: 158 deaths in Joplin, Missouri

What is a tornado?

Tornado is the rotating column of air which is in contact with the earth as well as cumulonimbus cloud, at the same time. They are also called cyclones or twisters.

The tornado is encircled by the cloud of dust and debris. Most of the tornadoes travel with a speed of less than 110 miles per hour and are around 250 feet across. Before dissipating, they travel to several kilometres.