Final answer:
The statement about fifty people per year being killed by tornadoes in the U.S. is true, highlighting the severe danger posed by these powerful natural phenomena.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that on the order of fifty people are killed in the U.S. each year by tornadoes is True. Tornadoes exhibit incredible destructive power, capable of demolishing buildings and propelling debris with lethal force. These natural disasters form from severe thunderstorms or supercells, where a column of air begins rotating around a horizontal axis, eventually shifting to a vertical axis to create the signature funnel-like tornado. The intense rotation and wind speeds, which can reach as high as 500 km/h, contribute to their potential for harm to life and property.