3. STORMS 4 - 2

4. 1900 Galveston Hurricane

Date: 1900
Deaths: 8,000+

Even before the days of CNN and weather forecasters, there were ways of warning people of approaching storms, such as storm flags. But on this small island off the coast of Texas, the coming storm was seen as a welcome break from the intense heat, and most residents ignored the warning to evacuate, and instead hurried down to the shore to see the waves. The first wave was the only one they saw, as the hurricane barreled ashore suddenly, triggering a huge surge of water that instantly swept the crowds away. The category 4 hurricane was fueled by 145 mph winds and killed over 8,000 people.


3. 1993 Superstorm

Date: 1993
Deaths: 270

The so-called "superstorm" of March 1993 threw everything it had at the eastern third of the USA, from blizzards to tornadoes. From Alabama to New England, there were hurricane winds, record cold and over 40 inches of snow on each of seven states from a single weather system. All of the interstate highways and even secondary roads were shut down or inaccessible, and for the first time ever, every major airport on the east coast was forced to close. Millions of people were without power for over a week, and the storm ended up killing 270 people and causing damages totaling $3 billion.


2. 1974 Tornado Superoutbreak

Date: 1974
Deaths: 315

Imagine, if you can, 148 tornadoes in a row powering through the Mississippi Valley along a 2500-mile stretch, one after the other. There are winds of over 260 mph at all times, tractor trailers are being flipped 150 feet in the air and landing upside down miles away, and as soon as one tornado has passed, another follows right behind it. This was the situation that followed the breakout of this storm system in Morris, Illinois. Add to that the fact that six of the 148 twisters were of F5 intensity and among the strongest ever recorded on the planet, and you can understand this powerful force of nature that killed 315 people and injured over 5000 others.