Tornado Alley
The term was first used in 1952 as the title of a research project to study severe weather in areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota, and Minnesota. It is largely a media-driven term although tornado climatologists distinguish peaks in activity in certain areas and storm chasers have long recognized the Great Plains tornado belt.
Tornadoes of 2007
More severe weather is expected on October 18 across the Ohio Valley and the Great Lakes region. Another moderate risk has been issued with tornadoes the main threat. Tornadoes are also possible across the Southern US, particularly the Gulf Coast. The activity began quickly in the southern threat area, and an EF1 tornado took place in the downtown area of Pensacola, Florida. Damage was reported to many buildings in the downtown core, as well as a section of Cordova Mall. Electricity was cut in the area. No injuries were reported. In total, at least 30 tornadoes have been reported so far on October 18 and at least 18 have been confirmed. The hardest-hit state has been Kentucky, where many tornadic supercells formed between Paducah and Louisville, and WFIE has reported many injuries and possible fatalities in numerous communities. At least one person was confirmed dead in Owensboro, Kentucky. However, the National Weather Service has only confirmed minor injuries. Another major tornado has been reported near Nappanee, Indiana; a tornado emergency was declared there. One person was confirmed dead in Kalkaska, Michigan, following an EF2 tornado there while two other people were killed in Ingham County in the Lansing viewing area by an EF2 that caused extensive damage in the Williamston area. While early indications had severe weather continuing into October 19, the lack of sunshine prevented initiation even though temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit were common as far north as southeastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec.