Tornadoes tear deadly path through US Midwest, marking early launch of storm season

The U.S. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has thus far confirmed 45 tornadoes between March 2 and 3 and the number is expected to rise as its surveys are completed. 127 twisters were ‘reported’ to have hit eleven states killing at least 39 people and causing widespread property damage, according to Guy Carpenter. The reported number of tornados is expected to be an overestimate due to double counting. The (U.S.) Weather Channel’s Dr. Greg Forbes reports 71 tornadoes touched down on March 2 alone.

Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia were affected in this latest severe weather outbreak.

NOAA’s 45 confirmed were broken down by state: AL-7; GA-5; IN-3; KY-9; MS-1; OH-6; NC-2; SC-1; TN-8; VA-1; WV-2. NOAA reports 13 tornadoes of intensity EF-3 or higher with the strongest confirmed tornado being the EF-4 that destroyed the town of Henryville, Indiana.

This latest weather follows on the heels of a storm which saw an estimated 30 tornadoes tear through six Midwest states on Feb. 28 and 29, killing at least 12 people.

Several other states also saw strong winds, heavy rain and large hail, Guy Carpenter reports.

There have been 152 tornadoes reported through March 1, which is 30% higher than the average of 117 over the last six years, according to EQECAT.

The recent wave of storms marks an early start to the US 2012 tornado season, where the most active months are normally April and May.

There are reports of houses and factories ripped off their foundations, roofs blown off, downed power lines and trees and tossed cars across the southern Ohio Valley and parts of the Southeast, AIR Worldwide notes.