Why was the 2011 tornado season in the U.S. so extreme, and why did so many die?

Deadliest Tornadoes NOVA

Premiered April 10, 2012
Deadliest Tornadoes: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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Deadliest Tornadoes

In 2011, the worst tornado season in decades left a trail of destruction across the U.S., killing more than 550 people. Why was there such an extreme outbreak? How do such outbreaks form? With modern warning systems, why did so many die? Is our weather getting more extreme - and if so how bad will it get?

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