WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ Forecasters say the nation is on track to
record less than half the average number of deaths from tornadoes
this year.
The experts attribute the drop in deaths to improved warning systems and fewer strong tornadoes this year.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's Storm Prediction Center says 29 people died in tornadoes through the end of June _ about half the average number in the past 30 years.
The Wichita Eagle reports that no tornado deaths have been recorded in Kansas this year.
Mike Smith, president of WeatherData Inc., of Wichita, says better warning systems led to the decline.
But Greg Carbin, a meteorologist for the Storm Prediction Center, says another factor is that fewer tornadoes have occurred this year, and they have been less powerful than normal.
