The year 2011 was notable for its number of costly weather-related disasters. During the months of April through June of 2011 there was a record number of tornado outbreaks. While climate change is currently a topic of great debate, it's hard to argue against the fact that disasters such as these tornadoes have lately been occurring both more frequently and with more intensity. On June 1, 2011 a tornado outbreak occurred in New England with a total of six confirmed tornadoes that cost an estimated $140 million in damages. The storms killed three people, injured over 300 people, and left over 500 people homeless in the surrounding towns of Springfield, MA. To aid in relief efforts, Governor Deval Patric declared a state of emergency for Massachussetts, President Barack Obama declared the region a US Federal disaster area, and 1,000 National Guard troops were activated for recovery efforts.