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NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. – A recent study by Northern Illinois University ranked North Carolina first in the nation for the highest percentage of deadly nighttime tornadoes.

Steve Pfaff, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Wilmington, said the reason for the ranking is because people are usually sleeping when the tornadoes hit and do not have time to prepare.

"Having tornadoes occur at night versus the daytime really enhances the vulnerability aspect of what the public faces. At night when people are asleep, they don't get the warning," Pfaff said.

According to the National Weather Service, there have been 100 tornado related deaths in the state since 1950.

"82 percent of all tornado fatalities occur at night. And what's ironic about that is that only 28 percent of all tornadoes do occur at night," Pfaff said. "That illustrates the vulnerability of people not getting the message and being caught in an unfavorable location in their house."

News 14 Carolina meteorologists said 2009 has already been an active tornado season with confirmed touchdowns in Robeson, Cumberland, Pitt and Bladen counties. The peak of the season hits in May.

To prepare for a nighttime tornado, the National Weather Service suggests purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio. New models can be programmed to alert users to weather in their region.

New Hanover Emergency Management leaders advised the radios are a worthwhile purchase.

"They cost about $25 or $30 and you can get them all around town," Kristen Wingenroth of NHC Emergency Management said. "And it's one of the best investments you can make for yourself and your family's safety."

For more information about setting up a weather radio, click here.