NOVA - Season 40 - Eps 20: Oklahoma's Deadliest Tornadoes

2013-05-2955 min⭐ 6.91/10

On May 20, 2013, a ferocious EF5 tornado over a mile wide tore through Moore, Oklahoma, inflicting 24 deaths and obliterating entire neighborhoods. It was the third time an exceptionally violent tornado had struck the city in 14 years. Yet predicting when and where these killer storms will hit still poses a huge challenge. Why was 2011—the worst ever recorded tornado season that left 158 dead in Joplin, Missouri—followed by the quietest ever year of activity prior to the Moore disaster? Can improved radar and warning technology explain why so many fewer died in Moore than in Joplin? And will tornadoes get worse as Earth's climate heats up? In this NOVA special, we meet scientists in the front ranks of the battle to understand these extreme weather events. We also meet storm survivors whose lives have been upended and learn how we can protect ourselves and our communities for the uncertain future.

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About NOVA

NOVA

Title: NOVA

First Air Date: 1974-03-03

Last Air Date: 2025-02-26

Status: Returning Series

Rating: 6.91/10 (from 122 votes)

Language: EN

Seasons: 53

Total Episodes: 1003

Network: PBS

Genres: Documentary

Production Companies: GBH

Synopsis

PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA demystifies science and technology, and highlights the people involved in scientific pursuits.

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