Hurricane Helene is approaching the U.S. mainland, with at least 25 million people under a tornado watch. Tornadoes, though often overlooked compared to hurricanes, pose a significant danger as storms make landfall and move inland. Tornadoes can occur up to 1,000 miles away from a hurricane’s center, increasing the risk even for those far from the coast. As Helene approaches, forecasters are warning of an increased risk of tornadoes due to the storm’s large size. Safety tips include immediately taking action if a tornado warning is issued and relocating to a safer place once a tornado watch is announced.
Hurricanes can continue to produce tornadoes for days after moving inland, with some notable cases including Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Beryl in 2018. The size of a hurricane plays a significant role in tornado production, with larger storms creating more favorable conditions for tornadoes. Helene’s considerable size suggests it could be a prolific tornado producer. Data collected since 1995 has shown that hurricanes and tropical storms have spawned over 1,700 tornadoes, with some of the most significant tornado producers including hurricanes Ivan, Frances, and Rita. Doppler radar has greatly improved tornado detection and tracking since widespread use began in 1995. Stay safe and be prepared to take action in the event of tornado-producing hurricanes.
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