America.. Severe Thunderstorms May Endanger Millions of Residents
The U.S. National Weather Service reported that about 70 million Americans will be at risk of severe thunderstorms this week.
The thunderstorms stretch from Nebraska across most of the southern plains and Midwest to the east coast, according to the Axios news website.
Although April is typically the beginning of severe weather season in most parts of the United States, this was unusually early for such a destructive line of storms so far north and east.
The warning about the storms, which don’t pose the same threat as hurricanes, comes as they are expected to bring heavy hail that could cause significant economic losses to cars, homes, and crops.
The website noted that wind speeds are expected to range from 111 to 135 miles per hour, indicating the potential for significant damage.
Last year, such losses were notably high across the United States, costing insurance companies billions of dollars.
The website pointed out that studies indicate climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall, and making heatwaves more likely, severe, and longer-lasting.
