EarthSky.org's "Top Five Natural Disasters" 2011

(#5.) This video really gets your attention:

Joplin, Missouri EF-5 Tornado
"deadliest single tornado to hit the US in modern history" 

"most expensive tornado in world history"

(#4.) And this one:

April 27 Tornado Outbreak in U.S. Southeast

"caused more than $7.3 billion insured losses"

Turns out four of the top five natural disasters for 2011 listed by EarthSky can be linked to rapid, global climate change.

According to noted climatologist Katharine Hayhoe some of these effects are right on schedule, “This summer is very similar to what is projected under a +2°C global mean temperature increase.”

Tornadoes, hurricanes, drought, wildfires, floods, snow storms... 2011 was a year of extreme weather, one the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration called, "A year for the record books."

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