Series of deadly tornadoes sweeps through Southeast
Several people have been killed and many more injured after severe storms moving through the Southeast spawned a number of tornadoes that destroyed properties across several states.
Twisters were reported in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina, leaving thousands of people across the region without power, The Associated Press reports.
Many residents reported trees being knocked onto their homes and many more may be filing homeowners insurance claims once they are able to assess the damage. One Alabama resident whose mobile home was crushed said there was no doubt what caused the widespread property damage.
"It's tornado damage. I'm from Kansas; I know tornado damage," Auburn graduate student Staci DeGeer told the AP. "It's kind of hit or miss. There will be two or three [trailers] that are bad and then a few that are OK."
Officials in Alabama say that the damage was likely the most severe the state has seen since another round of tornadoes hit the area in April.
The number of tornadoes in the U.S. showed an increased frequency in 2010. The Insurance Information Institute says there were 1,282 last year, up from just 1,156 in 2009 - a jump of more than 10 percent.
Related Home Insurance Articles:
- Homes destroyed by Nevada wildfire May 23, 2012
- Researchers hope to better understand tornado damage May 22, 2012
- Total costs from Minneapolis tornado reach $80 million May 21, 2012
- Analysis shows more than $2B of insurance claims from Joplin tornado May 18, 2012
- Recovery continues for Michigan tornado victims May 17, 2012
