Tornadoes leave a trail of destruction in Oklahoma, communities begin to assess damage
CBSAPR 25 2024
Oklahoma Tornadoes Kill at Least Four
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The Facts
At least four people, including a four-month-old baby, died and 100 were injured Saturday after dozens of tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Sunday declared an emergency in 12 counties, including Oklahoma County, which holds Oklahoma City. About 80 miles (128 km) south of the city, in a town called Sulphur, at least two tornadoes were reported.
One death was reported in Sulphur, another in Marietta, and two in Holdenville — including the baby. All three towns were reported to have endured EF-3-level tornadoes.
The Spin
Narrative A
These tornadoes should draw attention to the effects climate change has on wind-based extreme weather. The warming atmosphere has led to more unstable low-level air, which can cause more thunderstorms and more powerful twisters. We shouldn't blame every tornado on climate change, but we should acknowledge the role it's playing.
Narrative B
It's difficult to link tornadoes to climate change because tornado data has only been officially recorded for three decades. Therefore scientists can't say whether there has been a significant change in tornado patterns over a long period of time. All in all, more research must be conducted to draw any conclusions.
Metaculus Prediction
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