This is one of the videos I am most proud of this year. I researched footage from NBC’s 10 owned local stations from the past year and gathered all the most extreme weather videos. I wrote the script, then did this voice over and edited the footage. Click Here to see this video and article on NBCNewYork.com.
Biggest Weather Stories of 2013
By Marcus Harun| Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 | Updated 10:38 AM EST
Blizzard “Nemo”
The worst snowstorm to hit Connecticut since 1888 left many trapped in their homes for up to a week, due to impassible roads. The blizzard set the state record for the greatest single-storm snowfall, with 40 inches blanketing the town of Hamden. Nicknamed “Nemo” by The Weather Channel, the storm had snowfall rates up to six inches per hour. After many drivers were stranded, Gov. Dannel Malloy ordered all the state’s roads closed during the blizzard’s peak.
Oklahoma Tornado
A twister in Moore, Okla. left a 17-mile path of destruction in May. The 1.5-mile wide tornado hit two elementary schools and a hospital with 200 mile per hour winds. The EF-5 storm killed at least 20 people and injured more than 300 others.
California Rim Fire
A hunter started an illegal fire on Aug. 17 in the Stanislaus National Forest, which spread to become the third largest fire ever in California, according to fire officials. “The Rim Fire” raged for weeks, burning at least 100 structures and more than 400 square miles. More than 4,000 active firefighting personnel battled the blaze, and protected some popular spots of Yosemite National Park.
Colorado Flooding
Torrential rain led to flooding across Colorado in September, which destroyed many homes and wrecked state infrastructure. Floods washed away vital roads that connected small towns, leaving many stranded in their homes. Eight people were killed in the flooding that covered 4,500-square miles, according to The Weather Channel.
Typhoon Haiyan
At least 4 million people were displaced after Typhoon Haiyan brought a 20-foot storm surge and 190 mile per hour winds to the Philippines in November. The storm made landfall six times and killed 6,000 people, as the Typhoon wreaked havoc across the country. Tacloban, a city of about 220,000 people on Leyte island, is left in ruins, with remnants of houses, cars, and trees scattered nearly everywhere.
Illinois Tornadoes
Homes were flattened and roofs were torn off in Washington, Ill. by a tornado on Nov. 17. The EF-4 tornado killed at least six people and damaged over 1,000 homes. A series of 30 tornadoes broke out that day across the Midwest, leaving many without homes. Wind speeds peaked at 190 miles per hour. Wind damage from the twisters was felt as far as New York City and New Jersey.
