Tornado season has arrived in Oklahoma

Tuesday, April 20th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

This is the time of year when severe weather usually starts to heat up. The month of May generally has the highest number of tornadoes, but the last few weeks of April are also known to produce a fair share of destructive twisters.

News on 6 anchor Terry Hood says in Oklahoma, April showers often turn severe. May by far is the most active month for tornadoes in Oklahoma. But April comes in second with 577 tornadoes recorded since 1950. April has four of the most deadly tornadoes on record and three of the most costly.

The folks in Washington County know first-hand how destructive April storms can be. Washington County resident Annette Woods: "I'm still shaking. I mean if the wind would have come towards us it would have probably wiped us out."

One year ago, a tornado cut a path of destruction a quarter of a mile wide, stretching from Dewey to just south of Coffeyville, Kansas. The storm damaged 40 homes and destroyed two businesses, costing the community almost $2-million.

Thanks in part to the early warnings, no one was killed.

Catoosa, Skiatook and Oologah, all have had major tornadoes in April as well.