美国有线新闻 CNN 恶劣天气袭击美国南部多州 至少致5人死亡

 

A massive¹ storm system welled up last week in the United States, a nation that consistently² has the most violent weather in the world. When we put this show together, there were 90 million people — more than a quarter of the entire U.S. population — who were under the threat of destructive³ weather. In Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, at least five people were killed as the system swept across the south on Saturday and Sunday.

A tornado⁴ was spotted⁵ in southeast Alabama Sunday morning. And that wasn't the only threat. A CNN meteorologist said the storms also carried damaging winds and hail⁶. The National Weather Service warned people in the path that torrential rains could cause flash flooding in some areas. Monroe County, in northeast Mississippi, was hit particularly hard, according to its sheriff. He said the area was a mess, after homes, businesses and a fire station were destroyed. There was also a lot of flooding there.

And two states east, in Georgia, tee times were scheduled earlier for The Masters Golf Tournament on Sunday, because heavy storms were expected to pass through later that night. In fact, a tornado watch was issued for the city of Augusta, as well as parts of South Carolina Sunday night. Knowing the difference between a watch and a warning can help you know what action you should take.

1 massive   

adj.巨大的，大规模的，大量的，大范围的

参考例句：

• A massive sea search has failed to find any survivors.经过大规模的海上搜救仍未找到幸存者。
• He drank a massive amount of alcohol.他喝了大量的烈酒。

2 consistently   

ad.一贯地，一直

参考例句：

• The Ministry of Finance consistently overestimated its budget deficits. 财政部一贯高估预算赤字。
• The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law. 部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。

3 destructive   

adj.破坏（性）的，毁灭（性）的

参考例句：

• In the end,it will be destructive of our whole society.它最终会毁灭我们整个社会。
• It is the most destructive storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的一次风暴。

4 tornado   

n.飓风，龙卷风

参考例句：

• A tornado whirled into the town last week.龙卷风上周袭击了这座城市。
• The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。

5 spotted   

adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的

参考例句：

• The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。
• Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。

6 hail   

n.雹，一阵；vi.下雹；vt.高呼，为...喝彩

参考例句：

• Hail fell with such violence that it broke windows.冰雹猛落，把玻璃窗也砸破了。
• The people lined the streets to hail the returning heroes.人们夹道欢迎凯旋的英雄们。