COCOA BEACH, Florida — A study published by the Southeast Regional Climate Center and NOAA reveals that the Southeast United States sees the highest number of strong (F2 or greater) tornadoes and experiences more killer tornadoes than the infamous “Tornado Alley” of the Great Plains.

On a per-mile basis, Florida leads the country in the most amount of tornadoes and tornado-related deaths.  The study attributes the high death tolls in the Southeast U.S. to increased mobile home density, longer path lengths, poor visibility, and a greater number of cool season and nighttime tornadoes.

Brevard County on Florida’s Space Coast historically leads the Sunshine State in the number of F2 or greater tornadoes.