Tornadoes Take Their Toll
While hurricanes stayed away, tornadoes did not. Powerful tornadoes killed at least 20 people and left a swath of central Florida in shambles in early February. It was the second-deadliest tornado in Florida history. Citizens Property Insurance Corp. paid out more than $520,000 in claims. Tornadoes also took their toll in lives and property in 13 counties in Alabama in March. There were 17 confirmed deaths. Enterprise High School was destroyed. March also came in like a lion in Georgia where storms ripped through southwest and central counties and caused $210 million in insured losses, making it the state’s worst disaster in that category. In the fall, tornadoes struck again in Florida in Eustis and Pensacola. In November, it was Tennessee’s turn. An apparent tornado touched down west of Chattanooga, damaging buildings and causing minor injuries to at least nine people, including three children.