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List of F5, EF5, and IF5 tornadoes

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of F5, EF5, and IF5 tornadoes

This is a list of tornadoes which have been officially or unofficially labeled as F5, EF5, IF5, T10-T11, the highest possible ratings on the various tornado intensity scales. These scales – the Fujita scale, the Enhanced Fujita scale, the International Fujita scale, and the TORRO tornado intensity scale – attempt to estimate the intensity of a tornado by classifying the damage caused to natural features and man-made structures in the tornado's path. The most recent EF5 tornado was the 2025 Enderlin tornado, ending the record 12-year EF5 drought that began after the 2013 Moore tornado.

Tables

Tornadoes officially rated F5 · List of events › Official F5/EF5/IF5 tornadoes › F5 tornadoes
Jun 29
Jun 29
Day
Jun 29
Year
1764
Country
Germany
Sub­division
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Location
Woldegk
Fata­lities
1
Rated by
ESSL, Genzmer
1764 Woldegk tornado – This extremely intense tornado caused tremendous damage to vegetation and large debris from leveled homes was carried over 10 km (6.2 mi). This tornado was among the strongest ever recorded and rated as F5/T11, indicating potential winds over 300 mph (480 km/h). The rating was assigned based on several surveys by German scientist Gottlob Burchard Genzmer. 5-to-10-centimetre-diameter (2.0 to 3.9 in) hail occurred during this tornado as well.
1764 Woldegk tornado – This extremely intense tornado caused tremendous damage to vegetation and large debris from leveled homes was carried over 10 km (6.2 mi). This tornado was among the strongest ever recorded and rated as F5/T11, indicating potential winds over 300 mph (480 km/h). The rating was assigned based on several surveys by German scientist Gottlob Burchard Genzmer. 5-to-10-centimetre-diameter (2.0 to 3.9 in) hail occurred during this tornado as well.
Day
1764 Woldegk tornado – This extremely intense tornado caused tremendous damage to vegetation and large debris from leveled homes was carried over 10 km (6.2 mi). This tornado was among the strongest ever recorded and rated as F5/T11, indicating potential winds over 300 mph (480 km/h). The rating was assigned based on several surveys by German scientist Gottlob Burchard Genzmer. 5-to-10-centimetre-diameter (2.0 to 3.9 in) hail occurred during this tornado as well.
Apr 23
Apr 23
Day
Apr 23
Year
1800
Country
Germany
Sub­division
Saxony
Location
Hainichen
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
ESSL
Homes were completely destroyed, trees and shrubbery debarked, and several heads of livestock fatally mutilated.
Homes were completely destroyed, trees and shrubbery debarked, and several heads of livestock fatally mutilated.
Day
Homes were completely destroyed, trees and shrubbery debarked, and several heads of livestock fatally mutilated.
Feb 22
Feb 22
Day
Feb 22
Year
1876
Country
Australia
Sub­division
Queensland
Location
Bowen
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
BoM
A tornado struck near the city of Bowen. In the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) database, the tornado is marked as striking present-day Brisbane; however, local papers confirmed the tornado caused "a large amount of damage" to Bowen.
A tornado struck near the city of Bowen. In the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) database, the tornado is marked as striking present-day Brisbane; however, local papers confirmed the tornado caused "a large amount of damage" to Bowen.
Day
A tornado struck near the city of Bowen. In the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) database, the tornado is marked as striking present-day Brisbane; however, local papers confirmed the tornado caused "a large amount of damage" to Bowen.
May 11
May 11
Day
May 11
Year
1953
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Lorena, Hewitt, Waco, Bellmead
Fata­lities
114
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1953 Waco tornado – This was the first officially-ranked F5 tornado in the United States. Homes outside Waco sustained F5-level damage. Large, multi-story buildings collapsed in downtown Waco but incurred sub-F5-level damage.
1953 Waco tornado – This was the first officially-ranked F5 tornado in the United States. Homes outside Waco sustained F5-level damage. Large, multi-story buildings collapsed in downtown Waco but incurred sub-F5-level damage.
Day
1953 Waco tornado – This was the first officially-ranked F5 tornado in the United States. Homes outside Waco sustained F5-level damage. Large, multi-story buildings collapsed in downtown Waco but incurred sub-F5-level damage.
May 29
May 29
Day
May 29
Year
1953
Country
United States
Sub­division
North Dakota
Location
Fort Rice
Fata­lities
2
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of May 29, 1953 – A large church was leveled and its .mw- .mw- .mw- 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km). The tornado was initially rated F4 by Grazulis, but he subsequently upgraded it to F5.
Tornado outbreak of May 29, 1953 – A large church was leveled and its .mw- .mw- .mw- 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km). The tornado was initially rated F4 by Grazulis, but he subsequently upgraded it to F5.
Day
Tornado outbreak of May 29, 1953 – A large church was leveled and its .mw- .mw- .mw- 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km). The tornado was initially rated F4 by Grazulis, but he subsequently upgraded it to F5.
Jun 8
Jun 8
Day
Jun 8
Year
1953
Country
United States
Sub­division
Michigan
Location
Flushing Township, Mount Morris Township, Beecher, Genesee Township
Fata­lities
116
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1953 Flint-Beecher tornado – Entire blocks of homes were completely swept away, with only rows of bare slabs and empty basements remaining. Cycloidal ground scouring occurred as well. Some victims were mutilated or dismembered.
1953 Flint-Beecher tornado – Entire blocks of homes were completely swept away, with only rows of bare slabs and empty basements remaining. Cycloidal ground scouring occurred as well. Some victims were mutilated or dismembered.
Day
1953 Flint-Beecher tornado – Entire blocks of homes were completely swept away, with only rows of bare slabs and empty basements remaining. Cycloidal ground scouring occurred as well. Some victims were mutilated or dismembered.
Jun 27
Jun 27
Day
Jun 27
Year
1953
Country
United States
Sub­division
Iowa
Location
Anita, Adair
Fata­lities
1
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of June 27, 1953 – One farm was obliterated. Heavy machinery was thrown for more than 100 yd (91 m).
Tornado outbreak of June 27, 1953 – One farm was obliterated. Heavy machinery was thrown for more than 100 yd (91 m).
Day
Tornado outbreak of June 27, 1953 – One farm was obliterated. Heavy machinery was thrown for more than 100 yd (91 m).
Dec 5
Dec 5
Day
Dec 5
Year
1953
Country
United States
Sub­division
Mississippi
Location
Vicksburg
Fata­lities
38
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC
1953 Vicksburg tornado – "Very frail" homes were leveled. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
1953 Vicksburg tornado – "Very frail" homes were leveled. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
Day
1953 Vicksburg tornado – "Very frail" homes were leveled. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
May 25
May 25
Day
May 25
Year
1955
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma,Kansas
Location
Blackwell (OK)
Fata­lities
20
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1955 Great Plains tornado outbreak – Many homes were swept away in town.
1955 Great Plains tornado outbreak – Many homes were swept away in town.
Day
1955 Great Plains tornado outbreak – Many homes were swept away in town.
May 25
May 25
Day
May 25
Year
1955
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma,Kansas
Location
Udall
Fata­lities
80
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1955 Udall tornado – Nearly every structure in Udall was leveled. Vehicles were thrown and stripped down to their frames, including a pickup truck that was partially wrapped around a tree. A 30-by-40-foot (9.1 by 12.2 m) concrete block building was obliterated, with the foundation left mostly bare. Numerous trees were debarked as well.
1955 Udall tornado – Nearly every structure in Udall was leveled. Vehicles were thrown and stripped down to their frames, including a pickup truck that was partially wrapped around a tree. A 30-by-40-foot (9.1 by 12.2 m) concrete block building was obliterated, with the foundation left mostly bare. Numerous trees were debarked as well.
Day
1955 Udall tornado – Nearly every structure in Udall was leveled. Vehicles were thrown and stripped down to their frames, including a pickup truck that was partially wrapped around a tree. A 30-by-40-foot (9.1 by 12.2 m) concrete block building was obliterated, with the foundation left mostly bare. Numerous trees were debarked as well.
Apr 3
Apr 3
Day
Apr 3
Year
1956
Country
United States
Sub­division
Michigan
Location
Hudsonville, Grand Rapids
Fata­lities
18
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1956 – Many homes and businesses were swept completely away, leaving bare foundations behind. Extensive wind-rowing of debris was observed and vehicles were tossed hundreds of yards as well. One home that was swept away had all of its tile flooring scoured from the foundation. Grazulis initially listed this tornado as an F4 but noted that it "probably produced F5 damage"; he subsequently upgraded it to F5.
Tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1956 – Many homes and businesses were swept completely away, leaving bare foundations behind. Extensive wind-rowing of debris was observed and vehicles were tossed hundreds of yards as well. One home that was swept away had all of its tile flooring scoured from the foundation. Grazulis initially listed this tornado as an F4 but noted that it "probably produced F5 damage"; he subsequently upgraded it to F5.
Day
Tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1956 – Many homes and businesses were swept completely away, leaving bare foundations behind. Extensive wind-rowing of debris was observed and vehicles were tossed hundreds of yards as well. One home that was swept away had all of its tile flooring scoured from the foundation. Grazulis initially listed this tornado as an F4 but noted that it "probably produced F5 damage"; he subsequently upgraded it to F5.
May 20
May 20
Day
May 20
Year
1957
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas,Missouri
Location
Spring Hill (KS), Kansas City (MO)
Fata­lities
44
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1957 Ruskin Heights tornado – Entire rows of homes were swept away, with extensive wind-rowing of structural debris noted in nearby fields. Some homes had their anchor-bolted[citation needed] subfloors swept away as well, leaving only empty basements behind. A steel-reinforced[citation needed] school was partially leveled and many shops and businesses sustained F5 damage. Homes were leveled in both states, but F5-level damage occurred to both homes and stores in Missouri, chiefly the neighborhoods of Martin City, Ruskin Heights, and Hickman Mills.
1957 Ruskin Heights tornado – Entire rows of homes were swept away, with extensive wind-rowing of structural debris noted in nearby fields. Some homes had their anchor-bolted[citation needed] subfloors swept away as well, leaving only empty basements behind. A steel-reinforced[citation needed] school was partially leveled and many shops and businesses sustained F5 damage. Homes were leveled in both states, but F5-level damage occurred to both homes and stores in Missouri, chiefly the neighborhoods of Martin City, Ruskin Heights, and Hickman Mills.
Day
1957 Ruskin Heights tornado – Entire rows of homes were swept away, with extensive wind-rowing of structural debris noted in nearby fields. Some homes had their anchor-bolted[citation needed] subfloors swept away as well, leaving only empty basements behind. A steel-reinforced[citation needed] school was partially leveled and many shops and businesses sustained F5 damage. Homes were leveled in both states, but F5-level damage occurred to both homes and stores in Missouri, chiefly the neighborhoods of Martin City, Ruskin Heights, and Hickman Mills.
Jun 20
Jun 20
Day
Jun 20
Year
1957
Country
United States
Sub­division
North Dakota,Minnesota
Location
Fargo (ND), Moorhead (MN)
Fata­lities
10
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
Fargo tornado – Homes in the newest part of Fargo were leveled, some of which were swept away. Part of the Golden Ridge subdivision was scattered long distances into nearby fields. Fujita considered this more intense than the strongest tornadoes he surveyed from April 11, 1965.
Fargo tornado – Homes in the newest part of Fargo were leveled, some of which were swept away. Part of the Golden Ridge subdivision was scattered long distances into nearby fields. Fujita considered this more intense than the strongest tornadoes he surveyed from April 11, 1965.
Day
Fargo tornado – Homes in the newest part of Fargo were leveled, some of which were swept away. Part of the Golden Ridge subdivision was scattered long distances into nearby fields. Fujita considered this more intense than the strongest tornadoes he surveyed from April 11, 1965.
Dec 18
Dec 18
Day
Dec 18
Year
1957
Country
United States
Sub­division
Illinois
Location
Sunfield
Fata­lities
3
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak sequence of December 18–20, 1957 – The entire Sunfield community "vanished."
Tornado outbreak sequence of December 18–20, 1957 – The entire Sunfield community "vanished."
Day
Tornado outbreak sequence of December 18–20, 1957 – The entire Sunfield community "vanished."
Jun 4
Jun 4
Day
Jun 4
Year
1958
Country
United States
Sub­division
Wisconsin
Location
Menomonie, Colfax
Fata­lities
21
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of June 3–4, 1958 – Homes were swept away and numerous trees were completely debarked. A car was wrapped around the side of a small steel[citation needed] bridge that collapsed in the tornado. Grazulis initially rated this as an F4, but later upgraded it to F5.
Tornado outbreak of June 3–4, 1958 – Homes were swept away and numerous trees were completely debarked. A car was wrapped around the side of a small steel[citation needed] bridge that collapsed in the tornado. Grazulis initially rated this as an F4, but later upgraded it to F5.
Day
Tornado outbreak of June 3–4, 1958 – Homes were swept away and numerous trees were completely debarked. A car was wrapped around the side of a small steel[citation needed] bridge that collapsed in the tornado. Grazulis initially rated this as an F4, but later upgraded it to F5.
May 5
May 5
Day
May 5
Year
1960
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Prague, Iron Post, Sapulpa
Fata­lities
5
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 1960 tornado outbreak sequence – Homes were swept away between Prague and Paden, at "Iron Post," and at the northwest edge of Sapulpa.
May 1960 tornado outbreak sequence – Homes were swept away between Prague and Paden, at "Iron Post," and at the northwest edge of Sapulpa.
Day
May 1960 tornado outbreak sequence – Homes were swept away between Prague and Paden, at "Iron Post," and at the northwest edge of Sapulpa.
Apr 3
Apr 3
Day
Apr 3
Year
1964
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Wichita Falls
Fata­lities
7
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1964 Wichita Falls tornado – Two homes adjacent to each other were swept away at F5 intensity and a boxcar was thrown 100 yd (91 m). A car was thrown a block and a half.
1964 Wichita Falls tornado – Two homes adjacent to each other were swept away at F5 intensity and a boxcar was thrown 100 yd (91 m). A car was thrown a block and a half.
Day
1964 Wichita Falls tornado – Two homes adjacent to each other were swept away at F5 intensity and a boxcar was thrown 100 yd (91 m). A car was thrown a block and a half.
May 5
May 5
Day
May 5
Year
1964
Country
United States
Sub­division
Nebraska
Location
Bradshaw
Fata­lities
4
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1964 Central Nebraska tornado – Numerous farms were swept away.
1964 Central Nebraska tornado – Numerous farms were swept away.
Day
1964 Central Nebraska tornado – Numerous farms were swept away.
May 8
May 8
Day
May 8
Year
1965
Country
United States
Sub­division
South Dakota
Location
Colome
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Early May 1965 tornado outbreak – Many farms were destroyed, including three that were swept completely away.
Early May 1965 tornado outbreak – Many farms were destroyed, including three that were swept completely away.
Day
Early May 1965 tornado outbreak – Many farms were destroyed, including three that were swept completely away.
Mar 3
Mar 3
Day
Mar 3
Year
1966
Country
United States
Sub­division
Mississippi
Location
Jackson, Flowood, Leesburg, Forkville, Midway
Fata­lities
57
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1966 Candlestick Park tornado outbreak – Homes were swept away and a brick church was obliterated. The pavement was scoured from roads and cars were thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) from where they originated. The newly built Candlestick Park shopping center was leveled and concrete masonry blocks were scattered for long distances. Steel girders were "twisted like wet noodles" at a glass plant.
1966 Candlestick Park tornado outbreak – Homes were swept away and a brick church was obliterated. The pavement was scoured from roads and cars were thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) from where they originated. The newly built Candlestick Park shopping center was leveled and concrete masonry blocks were scattered for long distances. Steel girders were "twisted like wet noodles" at a glass plant.
Day
1966 Candlestick Park tornado outbreak – Homes were swept away and a brick church was obliterated. The pavement was scoured from roads and cars were thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) from where they originated. The newly built Candlestick Park shopping center was leveled and concrete masonry blocks were scattered for long distances. Steel girders were "twisted like wet noodles" at a glass plant.
Jun 8
Jun 8
Day
Jun 8
Year
1966
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Topeka
Fata­lities
16
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak sequence of June 1966 – Entire rows of homes were swept away and grass was scoured from lawns. Eight homes incurred F5-level damage on Burnett's Mound, disproving a myth that the mound protected Topeka from tornadoes.
Tornado outbreak sequence of June 1966 – Entire rows of homes were swept away and grass was scoured from lawns. Eight homes incurred F5-level damage on Burnett's Mound, disproving a myth that the mound protected Topeka from tornadoes.
Day
Tornado outbreak sequence of June 1966 – Entire rows of homes were swept away and grass was scoured from lawns. Eight homes incurred F5-level damage on Burnett's Mound, disproving a myth that the mound protected Topeka from tornadoes.
Oct 14
Oct 14
Day
Oct 14
Year
1966
Country
United States
Sub­division
Iowa
Location
Belmond
Fata­lities
6
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC
A house was swept away on the outskirts of town. On this basis, the tornado was officially rated F5, however, the home was likely poorly anchored as debris was deposited in a neat pile near the foundation and nearby homes only showed F1-level damage. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
A house was swept away on the outskirts of town. On this basis, the tornado was officially rated F5, however, the home was likely poorly anchored as debris was deposited in a neat pile near the foundation and nearby homes only showed F1-level damage. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
Day
A house was swept away on the outskirts of town. On this basis, the tornado was officially rated F5, however, the home was likely poorly anchored as debris was deposited in a neat pile near the foundation and nearby homes only showed F1-level damage. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
Apr 23
Apr 23
Day
Apr 23
Year
1968
Country
United States
Sub­division
Ohio
Location
Wheelers­burg, Gallipolis
Fata­lities
7
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC
Tornado outbreak of April 21–24, 1968 – Homes were swept away with only their foundations left in some cases. A large metal electrical transmission tower was ripped off at the base and thrown. The F5 rating is disputed as structures swept away were not anchored properly. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
Tornado outbreak of April 21–24, 1968 – Homes were swept away with only their foundations left in some cases. A large metal electrical transmission tower was ripped off at the base and thrown. The F5 rating is disputed as structures swept away were not anchored properly. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
Day
Tornado outbreak of April 21–24, 1968 – Homes were swept away with only their foundations left in some cases. A large metal electrical transmission tower was ripped off at the base and thrown. The F5 rating is disputed as structures swept away were not anchored properly. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
May 15
May 15
Day
May 15
Year
1968
Country
United States
Sub­division
Iowa
Location
Charles City
Fata­lities
13
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1968 Hansell-Charles City tornado – Many homes and farms were leveled or swept away. Very intense, cycloidal ground scouring associated with multiple vortices was noted.
1968 Hansell-Charles City tornado – Many homes and farms were leveled or swept away. Very intense, cycloidal ground scouring associated with multiple vortices was noted.
Day
1968 Hansell-Charles City tornado – Many homes and farms were leveled or swept away. Very intense, cycloidal ground scouring associated with multiple vortices was noted.
May 15
May 15
Day
May 15
Year
1968
Country
United States
Sub­division
Iowa
Location
Oelwein, Maynard
Fata­lities
5
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1968 Oelwein tornado – Homes were swept completely away in both towns.
1968 Oelwein tornado – Homes were swept completely away in both towns.
Day
1968 Oelwein tornado – Homes were swept completely away in both towns.
Jun 13
Jun 13
Day
Jun 13
Year
1968
Country
United States
Sub­division
Minnesota
Location
Tracy
Fata­lities
9
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1968 Tracy tornado – Several businesses, farms, and homes were swept completely away. A heavy boxcar was thrown more than a full block and two others were thrown 300 yd (270 m). A steel I-beam was carried for 2 mi (3.2 km) on a piece of roof. Extensive ground scouring occurred as well.
1968 Tracy tornado – Several businesses, farms, and homes were swept completely away. A heavy boxcar was thrown more than a full block and two others were thrown 300 yd (270 m). A steel I-beam was carried for 2 mi (3.2 km) on a piece of roof. Extensive ground scouring occurred as well.
Day
1968 Tracy tornado – Several businesses, farms, and homes were swept completely away. A heavy boxcar was thrown more than a full block and two others were thrown 300 yd (270 m). A steel I-beam was carried for 2 mi (3.2 km) on a piece of roof. Extensive ground scouring occurred as well.
May 11
May 11
Day
May 11
Year
1970
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Lubbock
Fata­lities
26
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
Lubbock tornado – Homes were swept away at F5 intensity and trees were almost completely debarked. A high-rise building suffered structural deformation, a 13-ton (26,000 lb; 12,000 kg) metal fertilizer tank was thrown nearly 1 mi (1.6 km) through the air, and large oil tanks were carried for over 300 yd (270 m); however, none of these cases were deemed to have the required winds of F5 intensity. This tornado was surveyed by Fujita and individual cases of damage in Lubbock were used as guidelines for the newly created Fujita scale. This tornado was originally rated F6 but was later downgraded to F5.
Lubbock tornado – Homes were swept away at F5 intensity and trees were almost completely debarked. A high-rise building suffered structural deformation, a 13-ton (26,000 lb; 12,000 kg) metal fertilizer tank was thrown nearly 1 mi (1.6 km) through the air, and large oil tanks were carried for over 300 yd (270 m); however, none of these cases were deemed to have the required winds of F5 intensity. This tornado was surveyed by Fujita and individual cases of damage in Lubbock were used as guidelines for the newly created Fujita scale. This tornado was originally rated F6 but was later downgraded to F5.
Day
Lubbock tornado – Homes were swept away at F5 intensity and trees were almost completely debarked. A high-rise building suffered structural deformation, a 13-ton (26,000 lb; 12,000 kg) metal fertilizer tank was thrown nearly 1 mi (1.6 km) through the air, and large oil tanks were carried for over 300 yd (270 m); however, none of these cases were deemed to have the required winds of F5 intensity. This tornado was surveyed by Fujita and individual cases of damage in Lubbock were used as guidelines for the newly created Fujita scale. This tornado was originally rated F6 but was later downgraded to F5.
Feb 21
Feb 21
Day
Feb 21
Year
1971
Country
United States
Sub­division
Louisiana,Mississippi
Location
Delhi (LA), Waverly (LA), Delta City (MS), Inverness (MS), Moorhead (MS)
Fata­lities
47
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1971 Inverness tornado – This was the sole F5 tornado on record in Louisiana. Numerous small homes were completely leveled in both states, but the only official F5 damage occurred in Louisiana as damage in Mississippi only reached F4-level intensity. Grazulis originally rated this tornado as an F4 but later upgraded it to F5.
1971 Inverness tornado – This was the sole F5 tornado on record in Louisiana. Numerous small homes were completely leveled in both states, but the only official F5 damage occurred in Louisiana as damage in Mississippi only reached F4-level intensity. Grazulis originally rated this tornado as an F4 but later upgraded it to F5.
Day
1971 Inverness tornado – This was the sole F5 tornado on record in Louisiana. Numerous small homes were completely leveled in both states, but the only official F5 damage occurred in Louisiana as damage in Mississippi only reached F4-level intensity. Grazulis originally rated this tornado as an F4 but later upgraded it to F5.
Jan 10
Jan 10
Day
Jan 10
Year
1973
Country
Argentina
Sub­division
Santa Fe Province
Location
San Justo
Fata­lities
63
Rated by
Balbi, Barbieri, Grazulis
1973 San Justo tornado – Masonry homes reportedly vanished with little or no trace and vehicles were thrown hundreds of meters from where they originated and were mangled beyond recognition. Large factories were completely leveled and grass was scoured from the ground. A vehicle motor was found embedded into a poured concrete wall and a tractor was thrown 500 m (1,600 ft) into a wooded area. This slow-moving tornado was not rated until 2017.
1973 San Justo tornado – Masonry homes reportedly vanished with little or no trace and vehicles were thrown hundreds of meters from where they originated and were mangled beyond recognition. Large factories were completely leveled and grass was scoured from the ground. A vehicle motor was found embedded into a poured concrete wall and a tractor was thrown 500 m (1,600 ft) into a wooded area. This slow-moving tornado was not rated until 2017.
Day
1973 San Justo tornado – Masonry homes reportedly vanished with little or no trace and vehicles were thrown hundreds of meters from where they originated and were mangled beyond recognition. Large factories were completely leveled and grass was scoured from the ground. A vehicle motor was found embedded into a poured concrete wall and a tractor was thrown 500 m (1,600 ft) into a wooded area. This slow-moving tornado was not rated until 2017.
May 6
May 6
Day
May 6
Year
1973
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Valley Mills
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
This tornado was rated F5 by wind engineers on the basis of vehicles being carried long distances. Two pickup trucks were lofted for hundreds of yards, one of which traveled 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) through the air. Peak structural damage was only of F2 intensity as two rural barns were obliterated. The F5 rating was accepted by Fujita at the time.
This tornado was rated F5 by wind engineers on the basis of vehicles being carried long distances. Two pickup trucks were lofted for hundreds of yards, one of which traveled 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) through the air. Peak structural damage was only of F2 intensity as two rural barns were obliterated. The F5 rating was accepted by Fujita at the time.
Day
This tornado was rated F5 by wind engineers on the basis of vehicles being carried long distances. Two pickup trucks were lofted for hundreds of yards, one of which traveled 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) through the air. Peak structural damage was only of F2 intensity as two rural barns were obliterated. The F5 rating was accepted by Fujita at the time.
Apr 3
Apr 3
Day
Apr 3
Year
1974
Country
United States
Sub­division
Indiana
Location
Depauw, Palmyra, Martinsburg, Daisy Hill
Fata­lities
6
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
1974 Super Outbreak – This was one of six tornadoes on April 3 to be rated F5 by Fujita. Homes were swept completely away and entire farms were leveled.
1974 Super Outbreak – This was one of six tornadoes on April 3 to be rated F5 by Fujita. Homes were swept completely away and entire farms were leveled.
Day
1974 Super Outbreak – This was one of six tornadoes on April 3 to be rated F5 by Fujita. Homes were swept completely away and entire farms were leveled.
Apr 3
Apr 3
Day
Apr 3
Year
1974
Country
United States
Sub­division
Ohio
Location
Xenia, Wilberforce
Fata­lities
32
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
1974 Xenia tornado – This was the deadliest tornado of the 1974 Super Outbreak. Aerial photography and isoline surveys by Fujita showed that entire rows of brick homes were swept away and sustained F5 damage. Wind-rowing of debris occurred in nearby fields and very intense damage was reported to steel-reinforced schools. This tornado was originally rated F6 by Fujita in a survey of the Super Outbreak.
1974 Xenia tornado – This was the deadliest tornado of the 1974 Super Outbreak. Aerial photography and isoline surveys by Fujita showed that entire rows of brick homes were swept away and sustained F5 damage. Wind-rowing of debris occurred in nearby fields and very intense damage was reported to steel-reinforced schools. This tornado was originally rated F6 by Fujita in a survey of the Super Outbreak.
Day
1974 Xenia tornado – This was the deadliest tornado of the 1974 Super Outbreak. Aerial photography and isoline surveys by Fujita showed that entire rows of brick homes were swept away and sustained F5 damage. Wind-rowing of debris occurred in nearby fields and very intense damage was reported to steel-reinforced schools. This tornado was originally rated F6 by Fujita in a survey of the Super Outbreak.
Apr 3
Apr 3
Day
Apr 3
Year
1974
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kentucky,Indiana
Location
Hardins­burg (KY), Branden­burg (KY), Harrison County (IN)
Fata­lities
31
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
1974 Brandenburg tornado – Multiple well-built, anchor-bolted homes were swept away, including one that sustained total collapse of its poured concrete walk-out basement wall. The grass was scoured from the ground and aerial photography showed extensive wind-rowing in Brandenburg. Trees were completely debarked and low-lying shrubs next to leveled homes were uprooted and stripped. Multiple vehicles were also thrown hundreds of yards and stripped down to their frames.
1974 Brandenburg tornado – Multiple well-built, anchor-bolted homes were swept away, including one that sustained total collapse of its poured concrete walk-out basement wall. The grass was scoured from the ground and aerial photography showed extensive wind-rowing in Brandenburg. Trees were completely debarked and low-lying shrubs next to leveled homes were uprooted and stripped. Multiple vehicles were also thrown hundreds of yards and stripped down to their frames.
Day
1974 Brandenburg tornado – Multiple well-built, anchor-bolted homes were swept away, including one that sustained total collapse of its poured concrete walk-out basement wall. The grass was scoured from the ground and aerial photography showed extensive wind-rowing in Brandenburg. Trees were completely debarked and low-lying shrubs next to leveled homes were uprooted and stripped. Multiple vehicles were also thrown hundreds of yards and stripped down to their frames.
Apr 3
Apr 3
Day
Apr 3
Year
1974
Country
United States
Sub­division
Indiana,Kentucky,Ohio
Location
Rising Sun (IN), Boone County (KY), Sayler Park (West Cincinnati, OH), Mack (OH), Bridgetown (OH)
Fata­lities
3
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
1974 Cincinnati tornado – Homes were swept away in Sayler Park and a large floating restaurant barge was lifted, ripped from its moorings, and flipped upside-down by the tornado. Boats and vehicles were carried long distances through the air.
1974 Cincinnati tornado – Homes were swept away in Sayler Park and a large floating restaurant barge was lifted, ripped from its moorings, and flipped upside-down by the tornado. Boats and vehicles were carried long distances through the air.
Day
1974 Cincinnati tornado – Homes were swept away in Sayler Park and a large floating restaurant barge was lifted, ripped from its moorings, and flipped upside-down by the tornado. Boats and vehicles were carried long distances through the air.
Apr 3
Apr 3
Day
Apr 3
Year
1974
Country
United States
Sub­division
Alabama
Location
Mount Hope, Mount Moriah, Tanner, Capshaw, Harvest
Fata­lities
28
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
First Tanner tornado – Numerous homes were swept away and scattered. In Limestone County, where the F5 damage occurred, a large swath of trees was leveled and ground scouring occurred nearby with dirt found to have been dug up and plastered to the bark. A pump was lifted out of a well at one location and shrubbery was debarked as well.
First Tanner tornado – Numerous homes were swept away and scattered. In Limestone County, where the F5 damage occurred, a large swath of trees was leveled and ground scouring occurred nearby with dirt found to have been dug up and plastered to the bark. A pump was lifted out of a well at one location and shrubbery was debarked as well.
Day
First Tanner tornado – Numerous homes were swept away and scattered. In Limestone County, where the F5 damage occurred, a large swath of trees was leveled and ground scouring occurred nearby with dirt found to have been dug up and plastered to the bark. A pump was lifted out of a well at one location and shrubbery was debarked as well.
Apr 3
Apr 3
Day
Apr 3
Year
1974
Country
United States
Sub­division
Alabama,Tennessee
Location
Tanner (AL), Capshaw (AL), Harvest (AL), Hazel Green (AL), Vanntown (TN)
Fata­lities
22
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, NWA
Second Tanner tornado – This tornado is officially listed as an F5, but was rated an F4 by Grazulis and Fujita. It crossed into Tennessee and did F4 damage in both states, though the supposed F5 damage only occurred in Alabama where numerous homes were swept away and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred. Some of the damage in Tennessee was previously rated F5, but later downgraded to F4.
Second Tanner tornado – This tornado is officially listed as an F5, but was rated an F4 by Grazulis and Fujita. It crossed into Tennessee and did F4 damage in both states, though the supposed F5 damage only occurred in Alabama where numerous homes were swept away and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred. Some of the damage in Tennessee was previously rated F5, but later downgraded to F4.
Day
Second Tanner tornado – This tornado is officially listed as an F5, but was rated an F4 by Grazulis and Fujita. It crossed into Tennessee and did F4 damage in both states, though the supposed F5 damage only occurred in Alabama where numerous homes were swept away and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred. Some of the damage in Tennessee was previously rated F5, but later downgraded to F4.
Apr 3
Apr 3
Day
Apr 3
Year
1974
Country
United States
Sub­division
Alabama
Location
Guin, Twin, Delmar
Fata­lities
28
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
1974 Guin tornado – According to the NWS in Birmingham, Alabama, this is considered one of the strongest tornadoes ever to impact the United States. Sources indicate that F5 damage was reported along much of the path and that many homes in and near Guin sustained F5 damage. Many of these homes were swept away, their debris being scattered across fields, and some reportedly had their "foundations dislodged and in some cases swept away as well." A large industrial plant in Guin was reduced to a pile of mangled beams. Additionally, photographs showed intense wind-rowing from suction vortices. The path of the tornado was visible in satellite imagery, as thousands of trees, including in the William B. Bankhead National Forest, were snapped.
1974 Guin tornado – According to the NWS in Birmingham, Alabama, this is considered one of the strongest tornadoes ever to impact the United States. Sources indicate that F5 damage was reported along much of the path and that many homes in and near Guin sustained F5 damage. Many of these homes were swept away, their debris being scattered across fields, and some reportedly had their "foundations dislodged and in some cases swept away as well." A large industrial plant in Guin was reduced to a pile of mangled beams. Additionally, photographs showed intense wind-rowing from suction vortices. The path of the tornado was visible in satellite imagery, as thousands of trees, including in the William B. Bankhead National Forest, were snapped.
Day
1974 Guin tornado – According to the NWS in Birmingham, Alabama, this is considered one of the strongest tornadoes ever to impact the United States. Sources indicate that F5 damage was reported along much of the path and that many homes in and near Guin sustained F5 damage. Many of these homes were swept away, their debris being scattered across fields, and some reportedly had their "foundations dislodged and in some cases swept away as well." A large industrial plant in Guin was reduced to a pile of mangled beams. Additionally, photographs showed intense wind-rowing from suction vortices. The path of the tornado was visible in satellite imagery, as thousands of trees, including in the William B. Bankhead National Forest, were snapped.
Mar 26
Mar 26
Day
Mar 26
Year
1976
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Spiro
Fata­lities
2
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Frame homes were swept away and 134,000-pound (61,000 kg) coal cars were tossed. Grazulis originally rated this tornado as an F4, but later upgraded it to F5.
Frame homes were swept away and 134,000-pound (61,000 kg) coal cars were tossed. Grazulis originally rated this tornado as an F4, but later upgraded it to F5.
Day
Frame homes were swept away and 134,000-pound (61,000 kg) coal cars were tossed. Grazulis originally rated this tornado as an F4, but later upgraded it to F5.
Apr 19
Apr 19
Day
Apr 19
Year
1976
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Brownwood
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1976 Brownwood tornado – Homes were swept away, with only a bathtub remaining on one of the foundations. Several teenagers were caught in the open and were picked up and thrown 1,000 yd (910 m; 0.57 mi) but survived. Mesquite trees were shredded. Grazulis originally rated this tornado as an F4, but later upgraded it to F5.
1976 Brownwood tornado – Homes were swept away, with only a bathtub remaining on one of the foundations. Several teenagers were caught in the open and were picked up and thrown 1,000 yd (910 m; 0.57 mi) but survived. Mesquite trees were shredded. Grazulis originally rated this tornado as an F4, but later upgraded it to F5.
Day
1976 Brownwood tornado – Homes were swept away, with only a bathtub remaining on one of the foundations. Several teenagers were caught in the open and were picked up and thrown 1,000 yd (910 m; 0.57 mi) but survived. Mesquite trees were shredded. Grazulis originally rated this tornado as an F4, but later upgraded it to F5.
Jun 13
Jun 13
Day
Jun 13
Year
1976
Country
United States
Sub­division
Iowa
Location
Jordan
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
Homes were swept away and well-built farms reportedly vanished without a trace. In a conversation with Grazulis concerning the "worst" tornadoes, this tornado was reportedly mentioned by Fujita as having produced some of the most intense instances of damage he surveyed, along with the 1974 Xenia tornado.
Homes were swept away and well-built farms reportedly vanished without a trace. In a conversation with Grazulis concerning the "worst" tornadoes, this tornado was reportedly mentioned by Fujita as having produced some of the most intense instances of damage he surveyed, along with the 1974 Xenia tornado.
Day
Homes were swept away and well-built farms reportedly vanished without a trace. In a conversation with Grazulis concerning the "worst" tornadoes, this tornado was reportedly mentioned by Fujita as having produced some of the most intense instances of damage he surveyed, along with the 1974 Xenia tornado.
Apr 4
Apr 4
Day
Apr 4
Year
1977
Country
United States
Sub­division
Alabama
Location
Birmingham, Tarrant
Fata­lities
22
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
Tornado outbreak of April 1977 – Many homes were swept away, some of which had all of their cinder block walk-out basement walls completely swept away as well. Trees were debarked, and two dump trucks were thrown through the air. Along with an example from the 1970 Lubbock tornado, Fujita used a visual example from this tornado to illustrate F5 damage. Fujita surveyed the damage personally and according to the National Weather Service, he "toyed with the idea of rating the Smithfield tornado an F6".
Tornado outbreak of April 1977 – Many homes were swept away, some of which had all of their cinder block walk-out basement walls completely swept away as well. Trees were debarked, and two dump trucks were thrown through the air. Along with an example from the 1970 Lubbock tornado, Fujita used a visual example from this tornado to illustrate F5 damage. Fujita surveyed the damage personally and according to the National Weather Service, he "toyed with the idea of rating the Smithfield tornado an F6".
Day
Tornado outbreak of April 1977 – Many homes were swept away, some of which had all of their cinder block walk-out basement walls completely swept away as well. Trees were debarked, and two dump trucks were thrown through the air. Along with an example from the 1970 Lubbock tornado, Fujita used a visual example from this tornado to illustrate F5 damage. Fujita surveyed the damage personally and according to the National Weather Service, he "toyed with the idea of rating the Smithfield tornado an F6".
Apr 2
Apr 2
Day
Apr 2
Year
1982
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Speer, Messer, Golden, Broken Bow
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Fujita
Tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1982 – A house was swept away with only carpet tacks left on the empty foundation. The F5 rating is disputed because the home was likely not anchored properly and its destruction "probably" reflected F3-level winds instead. Due to its appearance, Fujita maintained the F5 rating. Other houses suffered F4 damage.
Tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1982 – A house was swept away with only carpet tacks left on the empty foundation. The F5 rating is disputed because the home was likely not anchored properly and its destruction "probably" reflected F3-level winds instead. Due to its appearance, Fujita maintained the F5 rating. Other houses suffered F4 damage.
Day
Tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1982 – A house was swept away with only carpet tacks left on the empty foundation. The F5 rating is disputed because the home was likely not anchored properly and its destruction "probably" reflected F3-level winds instead. Due to its appearance, Fujita maintained the F5 rating. Other houses suffered F4 damage.
Jun 7–8
Jun 7–8
Day
Jun 7–8
Year
1984
Country
United States
Sub­division
Wisconsin
Location
Barneveld, Black Earth
Fata­lities
9
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
Tornado outbreak of June 7–8, 1984 – A cul-de-sac of newly built homes was swept away and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards. Small trees were debarked as well. Like the 1966 Topeka tornado, this event also disproved a myth that a nearby ridge or "mound" protected an area from tornadoes.
Tornado outbreak of June 7–8, 1984 – A cul-de-sac of newly built homes was swept away and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards. Small trees were debarked as well. Like the 1966 Topeka tornado, this event also disproved a myth that a nearby ridge or "mound" protected an area from tornadoes.
Day
Tornado outbreak of June 7–8, 1984 – A cul-de-sac of newly built homes was swept away and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards. Small trees were debarked as well. Like the 1966 Topeka tornado, this event also disproved a myth that a nearby ridge or "mound" protected an area from tornadoes.
May 31
May 31
Day
May 31
Year
1985
Country
United States
Sub­division
Ohio,Pennsylvania
Location
Newton Falls (OH), Lordstown (OH), Niles (OH), Wheatland (PA), Hermitage (PA)
Fata­lities
18
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
1985 United States–Canada tornado outbreak – This tornado caused F5 damage along much of its path through Niles and Wheatland. A shopping center in Niles was obliterated, causing several deaths and sustaining F5 damage. Metal girders at the center twisted and buckled. Well-built, anchor-bolted homes were swept away and 75,000-pound (34,000 kg) petroleum storage tanks were ripped from their anchors and thrown hundreds of feet. Pavement was scoured from a parking lot and a steel-frame trucking plant was obliterated and partially swept away with the beams severely mangled. Routing slips from the plant were found wedged into the remaining asphalt of the parking lot. An airplane wing was carried 10 mi (16 km) from where it originated. The tornado remains the only F5 or EF5 in Pennsylvania history. Grazulis called it a "maxi-tornado" to denote its extreme intensity.
1985 United States–Canada tornado outbreak – This tornado caused F5 damage along much of its path through Niles and Wheatland. A shopping center in Niles was obliterated, causing several deaths and sustaining F5 damage. Metal girders at the center twisted and buckled. Well-built, anchor-bolted homes were swept away and 75,000-pound (34,000 kg) petroleum storage tanks were ripped from their anchors and thrown hundreds of feet. Pavement was scoured from a parking lot and a steel-frame trucking plant was obliterated and partially swept away with the beams severely mangled. Routing slips from the plant were found wedged into the remaining asphalt of the parking lot. An airplane wing was carried 10 mi (16 km) from where it originated. The tornado remains the only F5 or EF5 in Pennsylvania history. Grazulis called it a "maxi-tornado" to denote its extreme intensity.
Day
1985 United States–Canada tornado outbreak – This tornado caused F5 damage along much of its path through Niles and Wheatland. A shopping center in Niles was obliterated, causing several deaths and sustaining F5 damage. Metal girders at the center twisted and buckled. Well-built, anchor-bolted homes were swept away and 75,000-pound (34,000 kg) petroleum storage tanks were ripped from their anchors and thrown hundreds of feet. Pavement was scoured from a parking lot and a steel-frame trucking plant was obliterated and partially swept away with the beams severely mangled. Routing slips from the plant were found wedged into the remaining asphalt of the parking lot. An airplane wing was carried 10 mi (16 km) from where it originated. The tornado remains the only F5 or EF5 in Pennsylvania history. Grazulis called it a "maxi-tornado" to denote its extreme intensity.
Mar 13
Mar 13
Day
Mar 13
Year
1990
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Castleton, Haven, Burrton, Hesston
Fata­lities
1
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
March 1990 Central United States tornado outbreak – Many homes and businesses were swept away in town with only slabs and empty basements remaining. Industrial buildings were obliterated and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and stripped down to their frames.
March 1990 Central United States tornado outbreak – Many homes and businesses were swept away in town with only slabs and empty basements remaining. Industrial buildings were obliterated and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and stripped down to their frames.
Day
March 1990 Central United States tornado outbreak – Many homes and businesses were swept away in town with only slabs and empty basements remaining. Industrial buildings were obliterated and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and stripped down to their frames.
Mar 13
Mar 13
Day
Mar 13
Year
1990
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Goessel
Fata­lities
1
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
March 1990 Central United States tornado outbreak – Homes were obliterated and swept away, but the F5 rating was assigned due to very intense cycloidal ground scouring. The tornado is considered by some sources to be one of the strongest tornadoes ever surveyed at the time, though little detailed information about the damage is available.
March 1990 Central United States tornado outbreak – Homes were obliterated and swept away, but the F5 rating was assigned due to very intense cycloidal ground scouring. The tornado is considered by some sources to be one of the strongest tornadoes ever surveyed at the time, though little detailed information about the damage is available.
Day
March 1990 Central United States tornado outbreak – Homes were obliterated and swept away, but the F5 rating was assigned due to very intense cycloidal ground scouring. The tornado is considered by some sources to be one of the strongest tornadoes ever surveyed at the time, though little detailed information about the damage is available.
Aug 28
Aug 28
Day
Aug 28
Year
1990
Country
United States
Sub­division
Illinois
Location
Oswego, Plainfield, Crest Hill, Joliet
Fata­lities
29
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
1990 Plainfield tornado – A mature corn crop was scoured from the ground, leaving nothing but bare soil behind. Several inches of topsoil were blown away as well. A 20-ton (40,000 lb; 18,000 kg) tractor-trailer was tossed from a road and thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) and vehicles were picked up and carried through the air. The F5 rating is based solely upon the extreme ground scouring; areas in Plainfield sustained high-end F4 structural damage, though the ground scouring nearby was much less intense than where the corn crop was obliterated. Fujita considered the ground scouring to be "comparable to the worst he had seen."
1990 Plainfield tornado – A mature corn crop was scoured from the ground, leaving nothing but bare soil behind. Several inches of topsoil were blown away as well. A 20-ton (40,000 lb; 18,000 kg) tractor-trailer was tossed from a road and thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) and vehicles were picked up and carried through the air. The F5 rating is based solely upon the extreme ground scouring; areas in Plainfield sustained high-end F4 structural damage, though the ground scouring nearby was much less intense than where the corn crop was obliterated. Fujita considered the ground scouring to be "comparable to the worst he had seen."
Day
1990 Plainfield tornado – A mature corn crop was scoured from the ground, leaving nothing but bare soil behind. Several inches of topsoil were blown away as well. A 20-ton (40,000 lb; 18,000 kg) tractor-trailer was tossed from a road and thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) and vehicles were picked up and carried through the air. The F5 rating is based solely upon the extreme ground scouring; areas in Plainfield sustained high-end F4 structural damage, though the ground scouring nearby was much less intense than where the corn crop was obliterated. Fujita considered the ground scouring to be "comparable to the worst he had seen."
Apr 26
Apr 26
Day
Apr 26
Year
1991
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
McConnell Air Force Base, Andover
Fata­lities
17
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1991 Andover tornado – Many large, well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, leaving bare foundations behind, and the grass was scoured from the ground. Extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred, leaving streaks of debris extending away from empty foundations. Trees and small twigs were completely stripped of their bark. Vehicles were thrown up to 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) from where they originated and were mangled beyond recognition.
1991 Andover tornado – Many large, well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, leaving bare foundations behind, and the grass was scoured from the ground. Extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred, leaving streaks of debris extending away from empty foundations. Trees and small twigs were completely stripped of their bark. Vehicles were thrown up to 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) from where they originated and were mangled beyond recognition.
Day
1991 Andover tornado – Many large, well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, leaving bare foundations behind, and the grass was scoured from the ground. Extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred, leaving streaks of debris extending away from empty foundations. Trees and small twigs were completely stripped of their bark. Vehicles were thrown up to 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) from where they originated and were mangled beyond recognition.
Jun 16
Jun 16
Day
Jun 16
Year
1992
Country
United States
Sub­division
Minnesota
Location
Chandler, Lake Wilson
Fata­lities
1
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Narramore
1992 Chandler–Lake Wilson tornado – Multiple homes were swept away and vehicles were thrown and stripped down to their frames.
1992 Chandler–Lake Wilson tornado – Multiple homes were swept away and vehicles were thrown and stripped down to their frames.
Day
1992 Chandler–Lake Wilson tornado – Multiple homes were swept away and vehicles were thrown and stripped down to their frames.
Jul 18
Jul 18
Day
Jul 18
Year
1996
Country
United States
Sub­division
Wisconsin
Location
Oakfield
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1996 Oakfield tornado outbreak – Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, including one where rebar supports were bent at 60° to 90°. Vehicles were thrown up to 400 yd (370 m) through the air and mangled beyond recognition. Crops were scoured to 1-inch (2.5 cm) stubble. While listing the tornado as an F5, Grazulis considered its rating to be "somewhat questionable."
1996 Oakfield tornado outbreak – Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, including one where rebar supports were bent at 60° to 90°. Vehicles were thrown up to 400 yd (370 m) through the air and mangled beyond recognition. Crops were scoured to 1-inch (2.5 cm) stubble. While listing the tornado as an F5, Grazulis considered its rating to be "somewhat questionable."
Day
1996 Oakfield tornado outbreak – Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, including one where rebar supports were bent at 60° to 90°. Vehicles were thrown up to 400 yd (370 m) through the air and mangled beyond recognition. Crops were scoured to 1-inch (2.5 cm) stubble. While listing the tornado as an F5, Grazulis considered its rating to be "somewhat questionable."
May 27
May 27
Day
May 27
Year
1997
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Jarrell
Fata­lities
27
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Jarrell tornado – This tornado produced some of the most extreme damage ever documented. The entire subdivision of Double Creek Estates was swept completely away with very little debris remaining. Some of the obliterated homes were well-built and properly anchor-bolted to their foundations. Long expanses of pavement, cumulatively 525 ft (160 m) in length, were torn from roads and a large swath of ground was scoured out to a depth of 18 in (46 cm). Vehicles were torn apart and scattered across fields, "several dozen" of which were reportedly never found, and a recycling plant was obliterated. Trees were completely debarked and mutilated cattle were carried more than 1⁄4 mi (0.40 km). The tornado was very slow-moving, which may have exacerbated the destruction to some extent.
Jarrell tornado – This tornado produced some of the most extreme damage ever documented. The entire subdivision of Double Creek Estates was swept completely away with very little debris remaining. Some of the obliterated homes were well-built and properly anchor-bolted to their foundations. Long expanses of pavement, cumulatively 525 ft (160 m) in length, were torn from roads and a large swath of ground was scoured out to a depth of 18 in (46 cm). Vehicles were torn apart and scattered across fields, "several dozen" of which were reportedly never found, and a recycling plant was obliterated. Trees were completely debarked and mutilated cattle were carried more than 1⁄4 mi (0.40 km). The tornado was very slow-moving, which may have exacerbated the destruction to some extent.
Day
Jarrell tornado – This tornado produced some of the most extreme damage ever documented. The entire subdivision of Double Creek Estates was swept completely away with very little debris remaining. Some of the obliterated homes were well-built and properly anchor-bolted to their foundations. Long expanses of pavement, cumulatively 525 ft (160 m) in length, were torn from roads and a large swath of ground was scoured out to a depth of 18 in (46 cm). Vehicles were torn apart and scattered across fields, "several dozen" of which were reportedly never found, and a recycling plant was obliterated. Trees were completely debarked and mutilated cattle were carried more than 1⁄4 mi (0.40 km). The tornado was very slow-moving, which may have exacerbated the destruction to some extent.
Apr 8
Apr 8
Day
Apr 8
Year
1998
Country
United States
Sub­division
Alabama
Location
Oak Grove, Sylvan Springs, Pleasant Grove, Edgewater, Birmingham
Fata­lities
32
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1998 Oak Grove–Birmingham tornado – Many homes were swept away along the path.
1998 Oak Grove–Birmingham tornado – Many homes were swept away along the path.
Day
1998 Oak Grove–Birmingham tornado – Many homes were swept away along the path.
Apr 16
Apr 16
Day
Apr 16
Year
1998
Country
United States
Sub­division
Tennessee
Location
Wayne County, Lawrence County
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, NWA, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of April 15–16, 1998 – Many large and well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards. A swath of grass 200 ft (61 m) wide was scoured from the ground, with nothing but bare soil and clumps of dirt remaining; according to Grazulis, this phenomenon indicated "extreme" winds at ground level. This tornado is the only documented F5 in the history of Tennessee.
Tornado outbreak of April 15–16, 1998 – Many large and well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards. A swath of grass 200 ft (61 m) wide was scoured from the ground, with nothing but bare soil and clumps of dirt remaining; according to Grazulis, this phenomenon indicated "extreme" winds at ground level. This tornado is the only documented F5 in the history of Tennessee.
Day
Tornado outbreak of April 15–16, 1998 – Many large and well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards. A swath of grass 200 ft (61 m) wide was scoured from the ground, with nothing but bare soil and clumps of dirt remaining; according to Grazulis, this phenomenon indicated "extreme" winds at ground level. This tornado is the only documented F5 in the history of Tennessee.
May 3
May 3
Day
May 3
Year
1999
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Amber, Bridge Creek, Newcastle, Moore, Oklahoma City, Del City, Midwest City
Fata­lities
36
Rated by
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, DOW, Wurman
1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado – Mobile radar recorded winds up to 321 mph (517 km/h), which is the highest wind speed ever measured on Earth. Many homes were swept completely away, some of which were well-bolted to their foundations, and debris from some homes was finely granulated. Severe ground and pavement scouring occurred including removing pavement. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked and vehicles were thrown up to 440 yd (400 m) from where they originated. An airplane wing was carried for several miles and a 36,000-pound (16,000 kg) freight car was bounced 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km). This was the 50th and last tornado to be officially rated F5 on the Fujita scale in the United States before the introduction of the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2007.
1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado – Mobile radar recorded winds up to 321 mph (517 km/h), which is the highest wind speed ever measured on Earth. Many homes were swept completely away, some of which were well-bolted to their foundations, and debris from some homes was finely granulated. Severe ground and pavement scouring occurred including removing pavement. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked and vehicles were thrown up to 440 yd (400 m) from where they originated. An airplane wing was carried for several miles and a 36,000-pound (16,000 kg) freight car was bounced 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km). This was the 50th and last tornado to be officially rated F5 on the Fujita scale in the United States before the introduction of the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2007.
Day
1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado – Mobile radar recorded winds up to 321 mph (517 km/h), which is the highest wind speed ever measured on Earth. Many homes were swept completely away, some of which were well-bolted to their foundations, and debris from some homes was finely granulated. Severe ground and pavement scouring occurred including removing pavement. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked and vehicles were thrown up to 440 yd (400 m) from where they originated. An airplane wing was carried for several miles and a 36,000-pound (16,000 kg) freight car was bounced 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km). This was the 50th and last tornado to be officially rated F5 on the Fujita scale in the United States before the introduction of the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2007.
Jun 22
Jun 22
Day
Jun 22
Year
2007
Country
Canada
Sub­division
Manitoba
Location
Elie
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
ECCC
2007 Elie tornado – Two homes were swept away, including one that was well-bolted to its foundation. A few of the bolts themselves were snapped off. A van was thrown 150 m (490 ft) through the air and nearby trees were debarked as well. Only officially rated F5 tornado in Canada. Last tornado to be rated F5 due to Environment Canada utilizing the Enhanced Fujita Scale beginning April 1, 2013.
2007 Elie tornado – Two homes were swept away, including one that was well-bolted to its foundation. A few of the bolts themselves were snapped off. A van was thrown 150 m (490 ft) through the air and nearby trees were debarked as well. Only officially rated F5 tornado in Canada. Last tornado to be rated F5 due to Environment Canada utilizing the Enhanced Fujita Scale beginning April 1, 2013.
Day
2007 Elie tornado – Two homes were swept away, including one that was well-bolted to its foundation. A few of the bolts themselves were snapped off. A van was thrown 150 m (490 ft) through the air and nearby trees were debarked as well. Only officially rated F5 tornado in Canada. Last tornado to be rated F5 due to Environment Canada utilizing the Enhanced Fujita Scale beginning April 1, 2013.
Day
Year
Country
Sub­division
Location
Fata­lities
Rated by
Jun 29
1764
Germany
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Woldegk
1
ESSL, Genzmer
1764 Woldegk tornado – This extremely intense tornado caused tremendous damage to vegetation and large debris from leveled homes was carried over 10 km (6.2 mi). This tornado was among the strongest ever recorded and rated as F5/T11, indicating potential winds over 300 mph (480 km/h). The rating was assigned based on several surveys by German scientist Gottlob Burchard Genzmer. 5-to-10-centimetre-diameter (2.0 to 3.9 in) hail occurred during this tornado as well.
Apr 23
1800
Germany
Saxony
Hainichen
0
ESSL
Homes were completely destroyed, trees and shrubbery debarked, and several heads of livestock fatally mutilated.
Feb 22
1876
Australia
Queensland
Bowen
0
BoM
A tornado struck near the city of Bowen. In the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) database, the tornado is marked as striking present-day Brisbane; however, local papers confirmed the tornado caused "a large amount of damage" to Bowen.
May 11
1953
United States
Texas
Lorena, Hewitt, Waco, Bellmead
114
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1953 Waco tornado – This was the first officially-ranked F5 tornado in the United States. Homes outside Waco sustained F5-level damage. Large, multi-story buildings collapsed in downtown Waco but incurred sub-F5-level damage.
May 29
1953
United States
North Dakota
Fort Rice
2
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of May 29, 1953 – A large church was leveled and its .mw- 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km). The tornado was initially rated F4 by Grazulis, but he subsequently upgraded it to F5.
Jun 8
1953
United States
Michigan
Flushing Township, Mount Morris Township, Beecher, Genesee Township
116
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1953 Flint-Beecher tornado – Entire blocks of homes were completely swept away, with only rows of bare slabs and empty basements remaining. Cycloidal ground scouring occurred as well. Some victims were mutilated or dismembered.
Jun 27
1953
United States
Iowa
Anita, Adair
1
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of June 27, 1953 – One farm was obliterated. Heavy machinery was thrown for more than 100 yd (91 m).
Dec 5
1953
United States
Mississippi
Vicksburg
38
SPC-NWS, NCDC
1953 Vicksburg tornado – "Very frail" homes were leveled. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
May 25
1955
United States
Oklahoma,Kansas
Blackwell (OK)
20
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1955 Great Plains tornado outbreak – Many homes were swept away in town.
May 25
1955
United States
Oklahoma,Kansas
Udall
80
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1955 Udall tornado – Nearly every structure in Udall was leveled. Vehicles were thrown and stripped down to their frames, including a pickup truck that was partially wrapped around a tree. A 30-by-40-foot (9.1 by 12.2 m) concrete block building was obliterated, with the foundation left mostly bare. Numerous trees were debarked as well.
Apr 3
1956
United States
Michigan
Hudsonville, Grand Rapids
18
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1956 – Many homes and businesses were swept completely away, leaving bare foundations behind. Extensive wind-rowing of debris was observed and vehicles were tossed hundreds of yards as well. One home that was swept away had all of its tile flooring scoured from the foundation. Grazulis initially listed this tornado as an F4 but noted that it "probably produced F5 damage"; he subsequently upgraded it to F5.
May 20
1957
United States
Kansas,Missouri
Spring Hill (KS), Kansas City (MO)
44
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1957 Ruskin Heights tornado – Entire rows of homes were swept away, with extensive wind-rowing of structural debris noted in nearby fields. Some homes had their anchor-bolted[citation needed] subfloors swept away as well, leaving only empty basements behind. A steel-reinforced[citation needed] school was partially leveled and many shops and businesses sustained F5 damage. Homes were leveled in both states, but F5-level damage occurred to both homes and stores in Missouri, chiefly the neighborhoods of Martin City, Ruskin Heights, and Hickman Mills.
Jun 20
1957
United States
North Dakota,Minnesota
Fargo (ND), Moorhead (MN)
10
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis, Fujita
Fargo tornado – Homes in the newest part of Fargo were leveled, some of which were swept away. Part of the Golden Ridge subdivision was scattered long distances into nearby fields. Fujita considered this more intense than the strongest tornadoes he surveyed from April 11, 1965.
Dec 18
1957
United States
Illinois
Sunfield
3
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak sequence of December 18–20, 1957 – The entire Sunfield community "vanished."
Jun 4
1958
United States
Wisconsin
Menomonie, Colfax
21
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of June 3–4, 1958 – Homes were swept away and numerous trees were completely debarked. A car was wrapped around the side of a small steel[citation needed] bridge that collapsed in the tornado. Grazulis initially rated this as an F4, but later upgraded it to F5.
May 5
1960
United States
Oklahoma
Prague, Iron Post, Sapulpa
5
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 1960 tornado outbreak sequence – Homes were swept away between Prague and Paden, at "Iron Post," and at the northwest edge of Sapulpa.
Apr 3
1964
United States
Texas
Wichita Falls
7
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1964 Wichita Falls tornado – Two homes adjacent to each other were swept away at F5 intensity and a boxcar was thrown 100 yd (91 m). A car was thrown a block and a half.
May 5
1964
United States
Nebraska
Bradshaw
4
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1964 Central Nebraska tornado – Numerous farms were swept away.
May 8
1965
United States
South Dakota
Colome
0
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Early May 1965 tornado outbreak – Many farms were destroyed, including three that were swept completely away.
Mar 3
1966
United States
Mississippi
Jackson, Flowood, Leesburg, Forkville, Midway
57
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1966 Candlestick Park tornado outbreak – Homes were swept away and a brick church was obliterated. The pavement was scoured from roads and cars were thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) from where they originated. The newly built Candlestick Park shopping center was leveled and concrete masonry blocks were scattered for long distances. Steel girders were "twisted like wet noodles" at a glass plant.
Jun 8
1966
United States
Kansas
Topeka
16
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornado outbreak sequence of June 1966 – Entire rows of homes were swept away and grass was scoured from lawns. Eight homes incurred F5-level damage on Burnett's Mound, disproving a myth that the mound protected Topeka from tornadoes.
Oct 14
1966
United States
Iowa
Belmond
6
SPC-NWS, NCDC
A house was swept away on the outskirts of town. On this basis, the tornado was officially rated F5, however, the home was likely poorly anchored as debris was deposited in a neat pile near the foundation and nearby homes only showed F1-level damage. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
Apr 23
1968
United States
Ohio
Wheelers­burg, Gallipolis
7
SPC-NWS, NCDC
Tornado outbreak of April 21–24, 1968 – Homes were swept away with only their foundations left in some cases. A large metal electrical transmission tower was ripped off at the base and thrown. The F5 rating is disputed as structures swept away were not anchored properly. Grazulis rated this tornado as an F4.
May 15
1968
United States
Iowa
Charles City
13
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
1968 Hansell-Charles City tornado – Many homes and farms were leveled or swept away. Very intense, cycloidal ground scouring associated with multiple vortices was noted.
May 15
1968
United States
Iowa
Oelwein, Maynard
5
SPC-NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Tornadoes officially rated EF5 · List of events › Official F5/EF5/IF5 tornadoes › EF5 tornadoes
Aug 19
Aug 19
Day
Aug 19
Year
1845
Country
France
Sub­division
Normandy
Location
Montville
Fata­lities
75
Rated by
Keraunos, ESSL, TORRO
1845 Montville tornado – Three large mills, at least one of which was newly built, were leveled and partly swept clean. One of the mills was a four-story structure that likely collapsed. Large debris was carried 30 km (19 mi) and mature trees were thrown "very far." This tornado was rated EF5 by the French Observatory of Tornadoes and Violent Thunderstorms (Keraunos), with the European Severe Storms Laboratory acknowledging the EF5 rating as its "maximum intensity", though ESSL also rated the tornado F5. TORRO rated the tornado T10.
1845 Montville tornado – Three large mills, at least one of which was newly built, were leveled and partly swept clean. One of the mills was a four-story structure that likely collapsed. Large debris was carried 30 km (19 mi) and mature trees were thrown "very far." This tornado was rated EF5 by the French Observatory of Tornadoes and Violent Thunderstorms (Keraunos), with the European Severe Storms Laboratory acknowledging the EF5 rating as its "maximum intensity", though ESSL also rated the tornado F5. TORRO rated the tornado T10.
Day
1845 Montville tornado – Three large mills, at least one of which was newly built, were leveled and partly swept clean. One of the mills was a four-story structure that likely collapsed. Large debris was carried 30 km (19 mi) and mature trees were thrown "very far." This tornado was rated EF5 by the French Observatory of Tornadoes and Violent Thunderstorms (Keraunos), with the European Severe Storms Laboratory acknowledging the EF5 rating as its "maximum intensity", though ESSL also rated the tornado F5. TORRO rated the tornado T10.
May 4
May 4
Day
May 4
Year
2007
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Greensburg
Fata­lities
11
Rated by
SPC-NWS, Marshall
Greensburg tornado – This tornado destroyed 95% of the town, including seven well-built homes with anchor bolts that were swept away. Vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and mangled, including a pickup truck that was split in two and found a mile away. Furthermore, freight train cars were overturned, and multi-ton oil tanks were destroyed. Fire hydrants were ripped from the ground in town and large trees were completely denuded and debarked as well. Aerial views of the tornado's path showed spiral and erratic paths from suction vortices in fields before it hit Greensburg; the area was severely scoured with some vegetation removed. Just northwest of the town, extraordinary damage to evergreen trees occurred.[citation needed] This was the first tornado to have been rated EF5 after the retirement of the original Fujita Scale in the United States in February 2007.
Greensburg tornado – This tornado destroyed 95% of the town, including seven well-built homes with anchor bolts that were swept away. Vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and mangled, including a pickup truck that was split in two and found a mile away. Furthermore, freight train cars were overturned, and multi-ton oil tanks were destroyed. Fire hydrants were ripped from the ground in town and large trees were completely denuded and debarked as well. Aerial views of the tornado's path showed spiral and erratic paths from suction vortices in fields before it hit Greensburg; the area was severely scoured with some vegetation removed. Just northwest of the town, extraordinary damage to evergreen trees occurred.[citation needed] This was the first tornado to have been rated EF5 after the retirement of the original Fujita Scale in the United States in February 2007.
Day
Greensburg tornado – This tornado destroyed 95% of the town, including seven well-built homes with anchor bolts that were swept away. Vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and mangled, including a pickup truck that was split in two and found a mile away. Furthermore, freight train cars were overturned, and multi-ton oil tanks were destroyed. Fire hydrants were ripped from the ground in town and large trees were completely denuded and debarked as well. Aerial views of the tornado's path showed spiral and erratic paths from suction vortices in fields before it hit Greensburg; the area was severely scoured with some vegetation removed. Just northwest of the town, extraordinary damage to evergreen trees occurred.[citation needed] This was the first tornado to have been rated EF5 after the retirement of the original Fujita Scale in the United States in February 2007.
May 25
May 25
Day
May 25
Year
2008
Country
United States
Sub­division
Iowa
Location
Parkers­burg, New Hartford
Fata­lities
9
Rated by
SPC-NWS
2008 Parkersburg–New Hartford tornado – Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, 17 of which were assessed to have sustained EF5 damage. Two of them had no visible debris left anywhere near the foundations. A concrete walk-out basement wall was pushed over at one home and the concrete floor was cracked. A rebar support set into the foundation of another home was found snapped in half and reinforced concrete light poles were snapped and dragged along the ground. A large industrial building was completely destroyed with metal beams twisted and sheared off at their bases and the foundation pushed clean of the metal framing and debris. Vehicles were thrown long distances and stripped down to their frames as well. Additionally, a large field east of Parkersburg was filled with finely granulated debris that was wind-rowed in long streaks. Trees were completely debarked and shrubs were uprooted and stripped in some areas. Numerous vehicles were mangled beyond recognition, including a ford minivan that was left torn apart by the winds.
2008 Parkersburg–New Hartford tornado – Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, 17 of which were assessed to have sustained EF5 damage. Two of them had no visible debris left anywhere near the foundations. A concrete walk-out basement wall was pushed over at one home and the concrete floor was cracked. A rebar support set into the foundation of another home was found snapped in half and reinforced concrete light poles were snapped and dragged along the ground. A large industrial building was completely destroyed with metal beams twisted and sheared off at their bases and the foundation pushed clean of the metal framing and debris. Vehicles were thrown long distances and stripped down to their frames as well. Additionally, a large field east of Parkersburg was filled with finely granulated debris that was wind-rowed in long streaks. Trees were completely debarked and shrubs were uprooted and stripped in some areas. Numerous vehicles were mangled beyond recognition, including a ford minivan that was left torn apart by the winds.
Day
2008 Parkersburg–New Hartford tornado – Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, 17 of which were assessed to have sustained EF5 damage. Two of them had no visible debris left anywhere near the foundations. A concrete walk-out basement wall was pushed over at one home and the concrete floor was cracked. A rebar support set into the foundation of another home was found snapped in half and reinforced concrete light poles were snapped and dragged along the ground. A large industrial building was completely destroyed with metal beams twisted and sheared off at their bases and the foundation pushed clean of the metal framing and debris. Vehicles were thrown long distances and stripped down to their frames as well. Additionally, a large field east of Parkersburg was filled with finely granulated debris that was wind-rowed in long streaks. Trees were completely debarked and shrubs were uprooted and stripped in some areas. Numerous vehicles were mangled beyond recognition, including a ford minivan that was left torn apart by the winds.
Apr 27
Apr 27
Day
Apr 27
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Mississippi
Location
Northern Philadelphia, Coy, Winston County, Noxubee County
Fata­lities
3
Rated by
SPC-NWS
2011 Philadelphia, Mississippi tornado – Rated EF5 based upon extreme ground scouring. The tornado dug a trench 2 ft (0.61 m) deep into a pasture, leaving nothing but large clumps of dirt and bare topsoil behind. A tied-down mobile home was lofted through the air and carried 300 yd (270 m) with no indication of contact with the ground. Several vehicles were tossed hundreds of yards and wrapped around trees and a steel I-beam was twisted and embedded into the ground. A well-built frame home was nearly swept clean off its foundation. Pavement was scoured from roads as well and extreme debarking and denuding of trees occurred, some of which were ripped out of the ground and thrown up to 20 yd (18 m) away.
2011 Philadelphia, Mississippi tornado – Rated EF5 based upon extreme ground scouring. The tornado dug a trench 2 ft (0.61 m) deep into a pasture, leaving nothing but large clumps of dirt and bare topsoil behind. A tied-down mobile home was lofted through the air and carried 300 yd (270 m) with no indication of contact with the ground. Several vehicles were tossed hundreds of yards and wrapped around trees and a steel I-beam was twisted and embedded into the ground. A well-built frame home was nearly swept clean off its foundation. Pavement was scoured from roads as well and extreme debarking and denuding of trees occurred, some of which were ripped out of the ground and thrown up to 20 yd (18 m) away.
Day
2011 Philadelphia, Mississippi tornado – Rated EF5 based upon extreme ground scouring. The tornado dug a trench 2 ft (0.61 m) deep into a pasture, leaving nothing but large clumps of dirt and bare topsoil behind. A tied-down mobile home was lofted through the air and carried 300 yd (270 m) with no indication of contact with the ground. Several vehicles were tossed hundreds of yards and wrapped around trees and a steel I-beam was twisted and embedded into the ground. A well-built frame home was nearly swept clean off its foundation. Pavement was scoured from roads as well and extreme debarking and denuding of trees occurred, some of which were ripped out of the ground and thrown up to 20 yd (18 m) away.
Apr 27
Apr 27
Day
Apr 27
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Alabama
Location
Hamilton, Hackleburg, Phil Campbell, Mount Hope, Tanner, Athens, Harvest
Fata­lities
71
Rated by
SPC-NWS
2011 Hackleburg–Phil Campbell tornado – This was the deadliest tornado in Alabama history and the deadliest tornado of the 2011 Super Outbreak. Numerous homes, some of which were large, well-built, and anchor-bolted were swept away. Debris from some obliterated homes was scattered and wind-rowed well away from the foundations. One home that was swept away had its concrete stem-walls sheared off at ground level. Vehicles were thrown at least 200 yd (180 m), and at least one large vehicle that was missing after the tornado was never located, another was wrapped around a debarked tree. Hundreds of trees were completely debarked and twisted and in some cases were reduced only to stubs. Pavement was scoured from roads, a large industrial plant was leveled to the ground, and a restaurant that was swept away had a small portion of its foundation slab torn apart as well.
2011 Hackleburg–Phil Campbell tornado – This was the deadliest tornado in Alabama history and the deadliest tornado of the 2011 Super Outbreak. Numerous homes, some of which were large, well-built, and anchor-bolted were swept away. Debris from some obliterated homes was scattered and wind-rowed well away from the foundations. One home that was swept away had its concrete stem-walls sheared off at ground level. Vehicles were thrown at least 200 yd (180 m), and at least one large vehicle that was missing after the tornado was never located, another was wrapped around a debarked tree. Hundreds of trees were completely debarked and twisted and in some cases were reduced only to stubs. Pavement was scoured from roads, a large industrial plant was leveled to the ground, and a restaurant that was swept away had a small portion of its foundation slab torn apart as well.
Day
2011 Hackleburg–Phil Campbell tornado – This was the deadliest tornado in Alabama history and the deadliest tornado of the 2011 Super Outbreak. Numerous homes, some of which were large, well-built, and anchor-bolted were swept away. Debris from some obliterated homes was scattered and wind-rowed well away from the foundations. One home that was swept away had its concrete stem-walls sheared off at ground level. Vehicles were thrown at least 200 yd (180 m), and at least one large vehicle that was missing after the tornado was never located, another was wrapped around a debarked tree. Hundreds of trees were completely debarked and twisted and in some cases were reduced only to stubs. Pavement was scoured from roads, a large industrial plant was leveled to the ground, and a restaurant that was swept away had a small portion of its foundation slab torn apart as well.
Apr 27
Apr 27
Day
Apr 27
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Mississippi,Alabama
Location
Smithville, Shottsville
Fata­lities
23
Rated by
SPC-NWS
2011 Smithville tornado – This tornado produced some of the most violent damage ever documented. Numerous well-built, anchor-bolted brick homes were swept away. Floor tiles were ripped from the foundations of several homes. An SUV was thrown half a mile into the top of the town's water tower and was recovered on the opposite side of town. Other vehicles were torn into multiple pieces, stripped down to their frames, wrapped around trees, or simply never recovered. In the most intense damage area, all plumbing and appliances at home-sites were "shredded or missing" and debris was finely granulated. Chip and tar pavement was torn from road and large trees were completely debarked. A large brick funeral home was reduced to a bare slab and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred next to the foundation. Outside of town, the ground was deeply scoured in an open field. Additionally, low-lying vegetation and shrubbery were completely debarked and shredded.
2011 Smithville tornado – This tornado produced some of the most violent damage ever documented. Numerous well-built, anchor-bolted brick homes were swept away. Floor tiles were ripped from the foundations of several homes. An SUV was thrown half a mile into the top of the town's water tower and was recovered on the opposite side of town. Other vehicles were torn into multiple pieces, stripped down to their frames, wrapped around trees, or simply never recovered. In the most intense damage area, all plumbing and appliances at home-sites were "shredded or missing" and debris was finely granulated. Chip and tar pavement was torn from road and large trees were completely debarked. A large brick funeral home was reduced to a bare slab and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred next to the foundation. Outside of town, the ground was deeply scoured in an open field. Additionally, low-lying vegetation and shrubbery were completely debarked and shredded.
Day
2011 Smithville tornado – This tornado produced some of the most violent damage ever documented. Numerous well-built, anchor-bolted brick homes were swept away. Floor tiles were ripped from the foundations of several homes. An SUV was thrown half a mile into the top of the town's water tower and was recovered on the opposite side of town. Other vehicles were torn into multiple pieces, stripped down to their frames, wrapped around trees, or simply never recovered. In the most intense damage area, all plumbing and appliances at home-sites were "shredded or missing" and debris was finely granulated. Chip and tar pavement was torn from road and large trees were completely debarked. A large brick funeral home was reduced to a bare slab and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred next to the foundation. Outside of town, the ground was deeply scoured in an open field. Additionally, low-lying vegetation and shrubbery were completely debarked and shredded.
Apr 27
Apr 27
Day
Apr 27
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Alabama,Georgia
Location
Fyffe, Shiloh, Rainsville, Sylvania, Henagar, Ider, Rising Fawn
Fata­lities
25
Rated by
SPC-NWS
2011 Rainsville tornado – Many homes were swept away, some of which had their concrete porches torn away and shattered with debris strewn up to a mile away from the foundations in some cases. A few of the homes were bolted to their foundations. An 800-pound (360 kg) safe was ripped from its anchors and thrown 600 ft (180 m) and its door was ripped from its frame. Ground scouring occurred and sidewalk pavement was pulled up. Many vehicles were mangled beyond recognition, including a pickup truck which was tossed 250 yd (230 m) and torn apart. A school bus was hurled across a highway and shredded down to its bare chassis. An underground storm shelter had much of its dirt covering scoured away and was heaved slightly out of the ground and pavement was scoured from roads. One well-built stone house was obliterated and a stone pillar was ripped completely out of the ground at that residence, pulling up a section of house foundation in the process.
2011 Rainsville tornado – Many homes were swept away, some of which had their concrete porches torn away and shattered with debris strewn up to a mile away from the foundations in some cases. A few of the homes were bolted to their foundations. An 800-pound (360 kg) safe was ripped from its anchors and thrown 600 ft (180 m) and its door was ripped from its frame. Ground scouring occurred and sidewalk pavement was pulled up. Many vehicles were mangled beyond recognition, including a pickup truck which was tossed 250 yd (230 m) and torn apart. A school bus was hurled across a highway and shredded down to its bare chassis. An underground storm shelter had much of its dirt covering scoured away and was heaved slightly out of the ground and pavement was scoured from roads. One well-built stone house was obliterated and a stone pillar was ripped completely out of the ground at that residence, pulling up a section of house foundation in the process.
Day
2011 Rainsville tornado – Many homes were swept away, some of which had their concrete porches torn away and shattered with debris strewn up to a mile away from the foundations in some cases. A few of the homes were bolted to their foundations. An 800-pound (360 kg) safe was ripped from its anchors and thrown 600 ft (180 m) and its door was ripped from its frame. Ground scouring occurred and sidewalk pavement was pulled up. Many vehicles were mangled beyond recognition, including a pickup truck which was tossed 250 yd (230 m) and torn apart. A school bus was hurled across a highway and shredded down to its bare chassis. An underground storm shelter had much of its dirt covering scoured away and was heaved slightly out of the ground and pavement was scoured from roads. One well-built stone house was obliterated and a stone pillar was ripped completely out of the ground at that residence, pulling up a section of house foundation in the process.
May 22
May 22
Day
May 22
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Missouri
Location
Joplin, Duquesne
Fata­lities
158
Rated by
SPC-NWS, Marshall
Joplin tornado – This was the deadliest tornado in the United States since 1947. Many homes, business, and steel-frame industrial buildings were swept away and large vehicles including semi-trucks and buses were thrown hundreds of yards. A large multi-story hospital had its foundation and underpinning system so severely damaged that it was structurally compromised and had to be torn down. Reinforced concrete porches were deformed, lifted, and tossed, and 300-pound (140 kg) concrete parking stops anchored with rebar were ripped from parking lots and tossed well over 100 ft (30 m). Vehicles were thrown several blocks away from the residences where they originated and a few were never recovered. Damage to driveways was noted at some residences as well. A large steel-reinforced concrete "step and floor structure" leading to one building was warped slightly and cracked. Ground and pavement scouring occurred and heavy manhole covers were removed from roads as well. On June 10, 2013, an engineering study found no evidence of EF5 structural damage in Joplin due to the poor quality of construction of many buildings. However, the EF5 rating stood as the National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri, stated that survey team found an area of EF5 structural damage (at and around the hospital) and that it could have easily been missed in the survey. The EF5 rating was mainly based on large vehicles being thrown long distances, along with non-conventional, non-structural instances of damage, such as removal of manhole covers, pavement, concrete porches, driveways, parking stops, and the presence of wind-rowed debris. Furthermore, the engineering survey only examined a small portion of the damage swath. Timothy Marshall identified 22 homes which sustained EF5 damage, some of the most EF5 damage rated by a single tornado. This is also the deadliest single tornado in over 50 years and the deadliest day SPC "Moderate Risk" (i.e. no "High Risk" area) convective outlook day on record. Some unofficial estimates have put the peak winds as high as 225–250 mph (362–402 km/h), but this has not been confirmed.
Joplin tornado – This was the deadliest tornado in the United States since 1947. Many homes, business, and steel-frame industrial buildings were swept away and large vehicles including semi-trucks and buses were thrown hundreds of yards. A large multi-story hospital had its foundation and underpinning system so severely damaged that it was structurally compromised and had to be torn down. Reinforced concrete porches were deformed, lifted, and tossed, and 300-pound (140 kg) concrete parking stops anchored with rebar were ripped from parking lots and tossed well over 100 ft (30 m). Vehicles were thrown several blocks away from the residences where they originated and a few were never recovered. Damage to driveways was noted at some residences as well. A large steel-reinforced concrete "step and floor structure" leading to one building was warped slightly and cracked. Ground and pavement scouring occurred and heavy manhole covers were removed from roads as well. On June 10, 2013, an engineering study found no evidence of EF5 structural damage in Joplin due to the poor quality of construction of many buildings. However, the EF5 rating stood as the National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri, stated that survey team found an area of EF5 structural damage (at and around the hospital) and that it could have easily been missed in the survey. The EF5 rating was mainly based on large vehicles being thrown long distances, along with non-conventional, non-structural instances of damage, such as removal of manhole covers, pavement, concrete porches, driveways, parking stops, and the presence of wind-rowed debris. Furthermore, the engineering survey only examined a small portion of the damage swath. Timothy Marshall identified 22 homes which sustained EF5 damage, some of the most EF5 damage rated by a single tornado. This is also the deadliest single tornado in over 50 years and the deadliest day SPC "Moderate Risk" (i.e. no "High Risk" area) convective outlook day on record. Some unofficial estimates have put the peak winds as high as 225–250 mph (362–402 km/h), but this has not been confirmed.
Day
Joplin tornado – This was the deadliest tornado in the United States since 1947. Many homes, business, and steel-frame industrial buildings were swept away and large vehicles including semi-trucks and buses were thrown hundreds of yards. A large multi-story hospital had its foundation and underpinning system so severely damaged that it was structurally compromised and had to be torn down. Reinforced concrete porches were deformed, lifted, and tossed, and 300-pound (140 kg) concrete parking stops anchored with rebar were ripped from parking lots and tossed well over 100 ft (30 m). Vehicles were thrown several blocks away from the residences where they originated and a few were never recovered. Damage to driveways was noted at some residences as well. A large steel-reinforced concrete "step and floor structure" leading to one building was warped slightly and cracked. Ground and pavement scouring occurred and heavy manhole covers were removed from roads as well. On June 10, 2013, an engineering study found no evidence of EF5 structural damage in Joplin due to the poor quality of construction of many buildings. However, the EF5 rating stood as the National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri, stated that survey team found an area of EF5 structural damage (at and around the hospital) and that it could have easily been missed in the survey. The EF5 rating was mainly based on large vehicles being thrown long distances, along with non-conventional, non-structural instances of damage, such as removal of manhole covers, pavement, concrete porches, driveways, parking stops, and the presence of wind-rowed debris. Furthermore, the engineering survey only examined a small portion of the damage swath. Timothy Marshall identified 22 homes which sustained EF5 damage, some of the most EF5 damage rated by a single tornado. This is also the deadliest single tornado in over 50 years and the deadliest day SPC "Moderate Risk" (i.e. no "High Risk" area) convective outlook day on record. Some unofficial estimates have put the peak winds as high as 225–250 mph (362–402 km/h), but this has not been confirmed.
May 24
May 24
Day
May 24
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Hinton, Calumet, El Reno, Piedmont, Guthrie
Fata­lities
9
Rated by
SPC-NWS, Wurman, DOW
2011 El Reno–Piedmont tornado – Many homes were swept away, trees were completely debarked, and extensive ground scouring occurred. At the Cactus 117 oil rig, a 1,900,000-pound (860,000 kg) oil derrick was blown over and rolled several times. Cars were thrown long distances and wrapped around trees, including an SUV that was thrown 780 yd (710 m) and had its body ripped from the frame. Several cars near the beginning of the path were thrown more than 1,093 yd (999 m). Additionally, a 20,000-pound (9,100 kg) oil tanker truck was thrown approximately 1 mi (1.6 km). Mobile Doppler weather radar indicated wind speeds as high as 295 mph (475 km/h), which are some of the highest wind speeds ever recorded in a tornado.
2011 El Reno–Piedmont tornado – Many homes were swept away, trees were completely debarked, and extensive ground scouring occurred. At the Cactus 117 oil rig, a 1,900,000-pound (860,000 kg) oil derrick was blown over and rolled several times. Cars were thrown long distances and wrapped around trees, including an SUV that was thrown 780 yd (710 m) and had its body ripped from the frame. Several cars near the beginning of the path were thrown more than 1,093 yd (999 m). Additionally, a 20,000-pound (9,100 kg) oil tanker truck was thrown approximately 1 mi (1.6 km). Mobile Doppler weather radar indicated wind speeds as high as 295 mph (475 km/h), which are some of the highest wind speeds ever recorded in a tornado.
Day
2011 El Reno–Piedmont tornado – Many homes were swept away, trees were completely debarked, and extensive ground scouring occurred. At the Cactus 117 oil rig, a 1,900,000-pound (860,000 kg) oil derrick was blown over and rolled several times. Cars were thrown long distances and wrapped around trees, including an SUV that was thrown 780 yd (710 m) and had its body ripped from the frame. Several cars near the beginning of the path were thrown more than 1,093 yd (999 m). Additionally, a 20,000-pound (9,100 kg) oil tanker truck was thrown approximately 1 mi (1.6 km). Mobile Doppler weather radar indicated wind speeds as high as 295 mph (475 km/h), which are some of the highest wind speeds ever recorded in a tornado.
May 20
May 20
Day
May 20
Year
2013
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Newcastle, Moore
Fata­lities
24
Rated by
SPC-NWS, Marshall
2013 Moore tornado – Many homes were swept away, including nine that were well-built and bolted to their foundations. Two elementary schools were completely destroyed. Extensive ground scouring occurred with only bare soil left in some areas and a 10-ton (20,000 lb; 9,100 kg) propane tank was thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) through the air. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked, wind-rowing of debris was noted, and an oil tank was thrown a full mile from a production site, while another was never found. A manhole cover was removed near Moore Medical Center and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and torn into multiple pieces. The tornado was originally assigned a rating of a high-end EF4, but was upgraded to EF5 on May 21.
2013 Moore tornado – Many homes were swept away, including nine that were well-built and bolted to their foundations. Two elementary schools were completely destroyed. Extensive ground scouring occurred with only bare soil left in some areas and a 10-ton (20,000 lb; 9,100 kg) propane tank was thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) through the air. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked, wind-rowing of debris was noted, and an oil tank was thrown a full mile from a production site, while another was never found. A manhole cover was removed near Moore Medical Center and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and torn into multiple pieces. The tornado was originally assigned a rating of a high-end EF4, but was upgraded to EF5 on May 21.
Day
2013 Moore tornado – Many homes were swept away, including nine that were well-built and bolted to their foundations. Two elementary schools were completely destroyed. Extensive ground scouring occurred with only bare soil left in some areas and a 10-ton (20,000 lb; 9,100 kg) propane tank was thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) through the air. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked, wind-rowing of debris was noted, and an oil tank was thrown a full mile from a production site, while another was never found. A manhole cover was removed near Moore Medical Center and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and torn into multiple pieces. The tornado was originally assigned a rating of a high-end EF4, but was upgraded to EF5 on May 21.
Jun 20
Jun 20
Day
Jun 20
Year
2025
Country
United States
Sub­division
North Dakota
Location
Enderlin
Fata­lities
3
Rated by
NWS, Marshall, NTP, LaDue, Miller, Kopp, Sills,
2025 Enderlin tornado – A train was derailed, with 33 fully-loaded grain hopper cars and empty tank cars being tipped over or lofted, including one empty tanker car that was tossed about 600–1,000 feet (180–300 m). The tornado also heavily damaged or destroyed multiple homes, and caused extreme tree damage, with only stubs of large branches or trunks remaining, and debarking with a "sandpapering" effect was prevalent. The tornado was originally assigned a rating of high-end EF3, but was upgraded to EF5 on October 6, with winds "greater than 210 miles per hour (340 km/h)" based on the train derailment, ending a 12-year EF5 drought.
2025 Enderlin tornado – A train was derailed, with 33 fully-loaded grain hopper cars and empty tank cars being tipped over or lofted, including one empty tanker car that was tossed about 600–1,000 feet (180–300 m). The tornado also heavily damaged or destroyed multiple homes, and caused extreme tree damage, with only stubs of large branches or trunks remaining, and debarking with a "sandpapering" effect was prevalent. The tornado was originally assigned a rating of high-end EF3, but was upgraded to EF5 on October 6, with winds "greater than 210 miles per hour (340 km/h)" based on the train derailment, ending a 12-year EF5 drought.
Day
2025 Enderlin tornado – A train was derailed, with 33 fully-loaded grain hopper cars and empty tank cars being tipped over or lofted, including one empty tanker car that was tossed about 600–1,000 feet (180–300 m). The tornado also heavily damaged or destroyed multiple homes, and caused extreme tree damage, with only stubs of large branches or trunks remaining, and debarking with a "sandpapering" effect was prevalent. The tornado was originally assigned a rating of high-end EF3, but was upgraded to EF5 on October 6, with winds "greater than 210 miles per hour (340 km/h)" based on the train derailment, ending a 12-year EF5 drought.
Day
Year
Country
Sub­division
Location
Fata­lities
Rated by
Aug 19
1845
France
Normandy
Montville
75
Keraunos, ESSL, TORRO
1845 Montville tornado – Three large mills, at least one of which was newly built, were leveled and partly swept clean. One of the mills was a four-story structure that likely collapsed. Large debris was carried 30 km (19 mi) and mature trees were thrown "very far." This tornado was rated EF5 by the French Observatory of Tornadoes and Violent Thunderstorms (Keraunos), with the European Severe Storms Laboratory acknowledging the EF5 rating as its "maximum intensity", though ESSL also rated the tornado F5. TORRO rated the tornado T10.
May 4
2007
United States
Kansas
Greensburg
11
SPC-NWS, Marshall
Greensburg tornado – This tornado destroyed 95% of the town, including seven well-built homes with anchor bolts that were swept away. Vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and mangled, including a pickup truck that was split in two and found a mile away. Furthermore, freight train cars were overturned, and multi-ton oil tanks were destroyed. Fire hydrants were ripped from the ground in town and large trees were completely denuded and debarked as well. Aerial views of the tornado's path showed spiral and erratic paths from suction vortices in fields before it hit Greensburg; the area was severely scoured with some vegetation removed. Just northwest of the town, extraordinary damage to evergreen trees occurred.[citation needed] This was the first tornado to have been rated EF5 after the retirement of the original Fujita Scale in the United States in February 2007.
May 25
2008
United States
Iowa
Parkers­burg, New Hartford
9
SPC-NWS
2008 Parkersburg–New Hartford tornado – Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, 17 of which were assessed to have sustained EF5 damage. Two of them had no visible debris left anywhere near the foundations. A concrete walk-out basement wall was pushed over at one home and the concrete floor was cracked. A rebar support set into the foundation of another home was found snapped in half and reinforced concrete light poles were snapped and dragged along the ground. A large industrial building was completely destroyed with metal beams twisted and sheared off at their bases and the foundation pushed clean of the metal framing and debris. Vehicles were thrown long distances and stripped down to their frames as well. Additionally, a large field east of Parkersburg was filled with finely granulated debris that was wind-rowed in long streaks. Trees were completely debarked and shrubs were uprooted and stripped in some areas. Numerous vehicles were mangled beyond recognition, including a ford minivan that was left torn apart by the winds.
Apr 27
2011
United States
Mississippi
Northern Philadelphia, Coy, Winston County, Noxubee County
3
SPC-NWS
2011 Philadelphia, Mississippi tornado – Rated EF5 based upon extreme ground scouring. The tornado dug a trench 2 ft (0.61 m) deep into a pasture, leaving nothing but large clumps of dirt and bare topsoil behind. A tied-down mobile home was lofted through the air and carried 300 yd (270 m) with no indication of contact with the ground. Several vehicles were tossed hundreds of yards and wrapped around trees and a steel I-beam was twisted and embedded into the ground. A well-built frame home was nearly swept clean off its foundation. Pavement was scoured from roads as well and extreme debarking and denuding of trees occurred, some of which were ripped out of the ground and thrown up to 20 yd (18 m) away.
Apr 27
2011
United States
Alabama
Hamilton, Hackleburg, Phil Campbell, Mount Hope, Tanner, Athens, Harvest
71
SPC-NWS
2011 Hackleburg–Phil Campbell tornado – This was the deadliest tornado in Alabama history and the deadliest tornado of the 2011 Super Outbreak. Numerous homes, some of which were large, well-built, and anchor-bolted were swept away. Debris from some obliterated homes was scattered and wind-rowed well away from the foundations. One home that was swept away had its concrete stem-walls sheared off at ground level. Vehicles were thrown at least 200 yd (180 m), and at least one large vehicle that was missing after the tornado was never located, another was wrapped around a debarked tree. Hundreds of trees were completely debarked and twisted and in some cases were reduced only to stubs. Pavement was scoured from roads, a large industrial plant was leveled to the ground, and a restaurant that was swept away had a small portion of its foundation slab torn apart as well.
Apr 27
2011
United States
Mississippi,Alabama
Smithville, Shottsville
23
SPC-NWS
2011 Smithville tornado – This tornado produced some of the most violent damage ever documented. Numerous well-built, anchor-bolted brick homes were swept away. Floor tiles were ripped from the foundations of several homes. An SUV was thrown half a mile into the top of the town's water tower and was recovered on the opposite side of town. Other vehicles were torn into multiple pieces, stripped down to their frames, wrapped around trees, or simply never recovered. In the most intense damage area, all plumbing and appliances at home-sites were "shredded or missing" and debris was finely granulated. Chip and tar pavement was torn from road and large trees were completely debarked. A large brick funeral home was reduced to a bare slab and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred next to the foundation. Outside of town, the ground was deeply scoured in an open field. Additionally, low-lying vegetation and shrubbery were completely debarked and shredded.
Apr 27
2011
United States
Alabama,Georgia
Fyffe, Shiloh, Rainsville, Sylvania, Henagar, Ider, Rising Fawn
25
SPC-NWS
2011 Rainsville tornado – Many homes were swept away, some of which had their concrete porches torn away and shattered with debris strewn up to a mile away from the foundations in some cases. A few of the homes were bolted to their foundations. An 800-pound (360 kg) safe was ripped from its anchors and thrown 600 ft (180 m) and its door was ripped from its frame. Ground scouring occurred and sidewalk pavement was pulled up. Many vehicles were mangled beyond recognition, including a pickup truck which was tossed 250 yd (230 m) and torn apart. A school bus was hurled across a highway and shredded down to its bare chassis. An underground storm shelter had much of its dirt covering scoured away and was heaved slightly out of the ground and pavement was scoured from roads. One well-built stone house was obliterated and a stone pillar was ripped completely out of the ground at that residence, pulling up a section of house foundation in the process.
May 22
2011
United States
Missouri
Joplin, Duquesne
158
SPC-NWS, Marshall
Joplin tornado – This was the deadliest tornado in the United States since 1947. Many homes, business, and steel-frame industrial buildings were swept away and large vehicles including semi-trucks and buses were thrown hundreds of yards. A large multi-story hospital had its foundation and underpinning system so severely damaged that it was structurally compromised and had to be torn down. Reinforced concrete porches were deformed, lifted, and tossed, and 300-pound (140 kg) concrete parking stops anchored with rebar were ripped from parking lots and tossed well over 100 ft (30 m). Vehicles were thrown several blocks away from the residences where they originated and a few were never recovered. Damage to driveways was noted at some residences as well. A large steel-reinforced concrete "step and floor structure" leading to one building was warped slightly and cracked. Ground and pavement scouring occurred and heavy manhole covers were removed from roads as well. On June 10, 2013, an engineering study found no evidence of EF5 structural damage in Joplin due to the poor quality of construction of many buildings. However, the EF5 rating stood as the National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri, stated that survey team found an area of EF5 structural damage (at and around the hospital) and that it could have easily been missed in the survey. The EF5 rating was mainly based on large vehicles being thrown long distances, along with non-conventional, non-structural instances of damage, such as removal of manhole covers, pavement, concrete porches, driveways, parking stops, and the presence of wind-rowed debris. Furthermore, the engineering survey only examined a small portion of the damage swath. Timothy Marshall identified 22 homes which sustained EF5 damage, some of the most EF5 damage rated by a single tornado. This is also the deadliest single tornado in over 50 years and the deadliest day SPC "Moderate Risk" (i.e. no "High Risk" area) convective outlook day on record. Some unofficial estimates have put the peak winds as high as 225–250 mph (362–402 km/h), but this has not been confirmed.
May 24
2011
United States
Oklahoma
Hinton, Calumet, El Reno, Piedmont, Guthrie
9
SPC-NWS, Wurman, DOW
2011 El Reno–Piedmont tornado – Many homes were swept away, trees were completely debarked, and extensive ground scouring occurred. At the Cactus 117 oil rig, a 1,900,000-pound (860,000 kg) oil derrick was blown over and rolled several times. Cars were thrown long distances and wrapped around trees, including an SUV that was thrown 780 yd (710 m) and had its body ripped from the frame. Several cars near the beginning of the path were thrown more than 1,093 yd (999 m). Additionally, a 20,000-pound (9,100 kg) oil tanker truck was thrown approximately 1 mi (1.6 km). Mobile Doppler weather radar indicated wind speeds as high as 295 mph (475 km/h), which are some of the highest wind speeds ever recorded in a tornado.
May 20
2013
United States
Oklahoma
Newcastle, Moore
24
SPC-NWS, Marshall
2013 Moore tornado – Many homes were swept away, including nine that were well-built and bolted to their foundations. Two elementary schools were completely destroyed. Extensive ground scouring occurred with only bare soil left in some areas and a 10-ton (20,000 lb; 9,100 kg) propane tank was thrown more than 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) through the air. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked, wind-rowing of debris was noted, and an oil tank was thrown a full mile from a production site, while another was never found. A manhole cover was removed near Moore Medical Center and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and torn into multiple pieces. The tornado was originally assigned a rating of a high-end EF4, but was upgraded to EF5 on May 21.
Jun 20
2025
United States
North Dakota
Enderlin
3
NWS, Marshall, NTP, LaDue, Miller, Kopp, Sills,
2025 Enderlin tornado – A train was derailed, with 33 fully-loaded grain hopper cars and empty tank cars being tipped over or lofted, including one empty tanker car that was tossed about 600–1,000 feet (180–300 m). The tornado also heavily damaged or destroyed multiple homes, and caused extreme tree damage, with only stubs of large branches or trunks remaining, and debarking with a "sandpapering" effect was prevalent. The tornado was originally assigned a rating of high-end EF3, but was upgraded to EF5 on October 6, with winds "greater than 210 miles per hour (340 km/h)" based on the train derailment, ending a 12-year EF5 drought.
Tornadoes officially rated IF5 · List of events › Official F5/EF5/IF5 tornadoes › IF5 tornadoes
Jul 24
Jul 24
Day
Jul 24
Year
1930
Country
Italy
Sub­division
Treviso,Udine
Location
Volpago del Montello, Selva del Montello, Giavera del Montello, Nervesa della Battaglia
Fata­lities
23
Rated by
ESSL, TORRO
1930 Montello tornado – An extremely powerful tornado which destroyed many villages and 200 homes. A large stone monastery was partially leveled to the ground. TORRO rated the tornado T10 on the TORRO scale, while the European Severe Storms Laboratory rated the tornado F5 on the Fujita scale. In May 2024, the F5 rating was changed to IF5, marking the first tornado to receive an IF5 rating on the International Fujita scale.
1930 Montello tornado – An extremely powerful tornado which destroyed many villages and 200 homes. A large stone monastery was partially leveled to the ground. TORRO rated the tornado T10 on the TORRO scale, while the European Severe Storms Laboratory rated the tornado F5 on the Fujita scale. In May 2024, the F5 rating was changed to IF5, marking the first tornado to receive an IF5 rating on the International Fujita scale.
Day
1930 Montello tornado – An extremely powerful tornado which destroyed many villages and 200 homes. A large stone monastery was partially leveled to the ground. TORRO rated the tornado T10 on the TORRO scale, while the European Severe Storms Laboratory rated the tornado F5 on the Fujita scale. In May 2024, the F5 rating was changed to IF5, marking the first tornado to receive an IF5 rating on the International Fujita scale.
Jun 24
Jun 24
Day
Jun 24
Year
1967
Country
France
Sub­division
Hauts-de-France
Location
Palluel
Fata­lities
6
Rated by
ESSL, Keraunos
Homes were leveled or swept away in and near Palluel, cars were thrown over 200 m (220 yd) and a strong-framed building with thick walls was almost completely leveled to the ground. This tornado was rated EF5 by the French Observatory of Tornadoes and Violent Thunderstorms (Keraunos). Grazulis rated this tornado as an F3. In 2024, the initial F5 rating from the European Severe Storms Laboratory was changed to IF5.
Homes were leveled or swept away in and near Palluel, cars were thrown over 200 m (220 yd) and a strong-framed building with thick walls was almost completely leveled to the ground. This tornado was rated EF5 by the French Observatory of Tornadoes and Violent Thunderstorms (Keraunos). Grazulis rated this tornado as an F3. In 2024, the initial F5 rating from the European Severe Storms Laboratory was changed to IF5.
Day
Homes were leveled or swept away in and near Palluel, cars were thrown over 200 m (220 yd) and a strong-framed building with thick walls was almost completely leveled to the ground. This tornado was rated EF5 by the French Observatory of Tornadoes and Violent Thunderstorms (Keraunos). Grazulis rated this tornado as an F3. In 2024, the initial F5 rating from the European Severe Storms Laboratory was changed to IF5.
Day
Year
Country
Sub­division
Location
Fata­lities
Rated by
Jul 24
1930
Italy
Treviso,Udine
Volpago del Montello, Selva del Montello, Giavera del Montello, Nervesa della Battaglia
23
ESSL, TORRO
1930 Montello tornado – An extremely powerful tornado which destroyed many villages and 200 homes. A large stone monastery was partially leveled to the ground. TORRO rated the tornado T10 on the TORRO scale, while the European Severe Storms Laboratory rated the tornado F5 on the Fujita scale. In May 2024, the F5 rating was changed to IF5, marking the first tornado to receive an IF5 rating on the International Fujita scale.
Jun 24
1967
France
Hauts-de-France
Palluel
6
ESSL, Keraunos
Homes were leveled or swept away in and near Palluel, cars were thrown over 200 m (220 yd) and a strong-framed building with thick walls was almost completely leveled to the ground. This tornado was rated EF5 by the French Observatory of Tornadoes and Violent Thunderstorms (Keraunos). Grazulis rated this tornado as an F3. In 2024, the initial F5 rating from the European Severe Storms Laboratory was changed to IF5.
Tornadoes rated F5/EF5/T10 by other experts or groups besides the National Weather Service · List of events › Possible F5/EF5/IF5 tornadoes › Previously rated F5/EF5/IF5 or rated F5/EF5/IF5 by others
Mar 21
Mar 21
Day
Mar 21
Year
1952
Country
United States
Sub­division
Mississippi,Tennessee
Location
Byhalia (MS), Moscow (TN)
Fata­lities
17
Rated by
NCDC
Tornado outbreak of March 21–22, 1952 – This tornado is officially rated F4 in tornado databases; however, the National Climatic Data Center lists this as an F5 event in a technical report listing all known F5 tornadoes. The only possible F5 damage was to a concrete block structure that may or may not have been steel-reinforced. It originally was the first officially ranked F5 tornado in the United States, but was later downgraded to F4.
Tornado outbreak of March 21–22, 1952 – This tornado is officially rated F4 in tornado databases; however, the National Climatic Data Center lists this as an F5 event in a technical report listing all known F5 tornadoes. The only possible F5 damage was to a concrete block structure that may or may not have been steel-reinforced. It originally was the first officially ranked F5 tornado in the United States, but was later downgraded to F4.
Day
Tornado outbreak of March 21–22, 1952 – This tornado is officially rated F4 in tornado databases; however, the National Climatic Data Center lists this as an F5 event in a technical report listing all known F5 tornadoes. The only possible F5 damage was to a concrete block structure that may or may not have been steel-reinforced. It originally was the first officially ranked F5 tornado in the United States, but was later downgraded to F4.
Jun 9
Jun 9
Day
Jun 9
Year
1953
Country
United States
Sub­division
Massachusetts
Location
Petersham, Barre, Rutland, Holden, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Westborough, Southborough
Fata­lities
94
Rated by
Grazulis
1953 Worcester tornado – Many strong structures with numerous interior walls were leveled, and entire blocks of homes were swept cleanly away. The large, brick Assumption College sustained severe damage, and its upper stories were completely destroyed. A large, multi-ton storage tank was carried over a road, and trees along the path were debarked as well. Debris from this tornado was found in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1993 Grazulis noted that an F5 rating was "probably appropriate," and in a later publication of his, in 2001, the tornado was posthumously rated F5, based on newly available photographs of the "immense" destruction, which indicated that the tornado merited an F5 rating and "should" have been rated as such in 1975, but was instead rated F4 at that time. Even after an unprecedented reassessment of damages in 2005, a panel of experts assembled by the National Weather Service determined that anchoring techniques for the homes that were swept away or had completely vanished could not be determined. Without a proper engineering qualification, it would be nearly impossible to determine with 100% accuracy which damage was F5 and which was F4, as appearances would be similar. As a result, the panel decided that the rating would remain a high-end F4.
1953 Worcester tornado – Many strong structures with numerous interior walls were leveled, and entire blocks of homes were swept cleanly away. The large, brick Assumption College sustained severe damage, and its upper stories were completely destroyed. A large, multi-ton storage tank was carried over a road, and trees along the path were debarked as well. Debris from this tornado was found in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1993 Grazulis noted that an F5 rating was "probably appropriate," and in a later publication of his, in 2001, the tornado was posthumously rated F5, based on newly available photographs of the "immense" destruction, which indicated that the tornado merited an F5 rating and "should" have been rated as such in 1975, but was instead rated F4 at that time. Even after an unprecedented reassessment of damages in 2005, a panel of experts assembled by the National Weather Service determined that anchoring techniques for the homes that were swept away or had completely vanished could not be determined. Without a proper engineering qualification, it would be nearly impossible to determine with 100% accuracy which damage was F5 and which was F4, as appearances would be similar. As a result, the panel decided that the rating would remain a high-end F4.
Day
1953 Worcester tornado – Many strong structures with numerous interior walls were leveled, and entire blocks of homes were swept cleanly away. The large, brick Assumption College sustained severe damage, and its upper stories were completely destroyed. A large, multi-ton storage tank was carried over a road, and trees along the path were debarked as well. Debris from this tornado was found in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1993 Grazulis noted that an F5 rating was "probably appropriate," and in a later publication of his, in 2001, the tornado was posthumously rated F5, based on newly available photographs of the "immense" destruction, which indicated that the tornado merited an F5 rating and "should" have been rated as such in 1975, but was instead rated F4 at that time. Even after an unprecedented reassessment of damages in 2005, a panel of experts assembled by the National Weather Service determined that anchoring techniques for the homes that were swept away or had completely vanished could not be determined. Without a proper engineering qualification, it would be nearly impossible to determine with 100% accuracy which damage was F5 and which was F4, as appearances would be similar. As a result, the panel decided that the rating would remain a high-end F4.
May 19
May 19
Day
May 19
Year
1960
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Wamego, St. Marys
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Grazulis
Two farms were swept away. This tornado was rated F5 by Grazulis.
Two farms were swept away. This tornado was rated F5 by Grazulis.
Day
Two farms were swept away. This tornado was rated F5 by Grazulis.
May 30
May 30
Day
May 30
Year
1961
Country
United States
Sub­division
Nebraska
Location
Custer County, Valley County
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
NCDC, Grazulis
All buildings and machinery were swept away from a farm. Widely accepted as an F5 tornado, including within a NCDC technical report; however, it is listed as an F4 in the official databases.
All buildings and machinery were swept away from a farm. Widely accepted as an F5 tornado, including within a NCDC technical report; however, it is listed as an F4 in the official databases.
Day
All buildings and machinery were swept away from a farm. Widely accepted as an F5 tornado, including within a NCDC technical report; however, it is listed as an F4 in the official databases.
Apr 11
Apr 11
Day
Apr 11
Year
1965
Country
United States
Sub­division
Indiana
Location
Dunlap
Fata­lities
36
Rated by
NCDC, Grazulis
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – This was the second violent tornado to strike Dunlap within 90 minutes. A well-built truck stop was leveled and many permanent homes were swept away in two subdivisions.
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – This was the second violent tornado to strike Dunlap within 90 minutes. A well-built truck stop was leveled and many permanent homes were swept away in two subdivisions.
Day
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – This was the second violent tornado to strike Dunlap within 90 minutes. A well-built truck stop was leveled and many permanent homes were swept away in two subdivisions.
Apr 11
Apr 11
Day
Apr 11
Year
1965
Country
United States
Sub­division
Indiana
Location
Lebanon, Sheridan
Fata­lities
28
Rated by
NCDC
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – Farms were obliterated and vehicles were thrown up 100 yd (91 m).
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – Farms were obliterated and vehicles were thrown up 100 yd (91 m).
Day
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – Farms were obliterated and vehicles were thrown up 100 yd (91 m).
Apr 11
Apr 11
Day
Apr 11
Year
1965
Country
United States
Sub­division
Ohio
Location
Pittsfield Township, Strongsville
Fata­lities
18
Rated by
NCDC, Grazulis
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – Homes were cleanly swept away in Strongsville and Pittsfield, and Pittsfield was completely destroyed. Only a concrete war monument remained standing in Pittsfield, where homes "vanished."
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – Homes were cleanly swept away in Strongsville and Pittsfield, and Pittsfield was completely destroyed. Only a concrete war monument remained standing in Pittsfield, where homes "vanished."
Day
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – Homes were cleanly swept away in Strongsville and Pittsfield, and Pittsfield was completely destroyed. Only a concrete war monument remained standing in Pittsfield, where homes "vanished."
May 8
May 8
Day
May 8
Year
1965
Country
United States
Sub­division
Nebraska
Location
Wolbach, Primrose
Fata­lities
4
Rated by
NCDC, Grazulis
Early May 1965 tornado outbreak – Homes and businesses were leveled and swept away, along with mature trees that were reduced to pulpy "matchsticks". Cars were moved 400–440 yd (0.23–0.25 mi), and the body of a truck was tossed and rolled 2 mi (3.2 km). Grazulis listed this tornado as an F5.
Early May 1965 tornado outbreak – Homes and businesses were leveled and swept away, along with mature trees that were reduced to pulpy "matchsticks". Cars were moved 400–440 yd (0.23–0.25 mi), and the body of a truck was tossed and rolled 2 mi (3.2 km). Grazulis listed this tornado as an F5.
Day
Early May 1965 tornado outbreak – Homes and businesses were leveled and swept away, along with mature trees that were reduced to pulpy "matchsticks". Cars were moved 400–440 yd (0.23–0.25 mi), and the body of a truck was tossed and rolled 2 mi (3.2 km). Grazulis listed this tornado as an F5.
Apr 27
Apr 27
Day
Apr 27
Year
1971
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kentucky
Location
Gosser Ridge
Fata­lities
2
Rated by
NCDC
1971 Gosser Ridge tornado – Most buildings on a farm were swept away. The tornado is listed as a "questionable" F5 in the NCDC Tech Report, and is rated an F4 according to Grazulis and official records.
1971 Gosser Ridge tornado – Most buildings on a farm were swept away. The tornado is listed as a "questionable" F5 in the NCDC Tech Report, and is rated an F4 according to Grazulis and official records.
Day
1971 Gosser Ridge tornado – Most buildings on a farm were swept away. The tornado is listed as a "questionable" F5 in the NCDC Tech Report, and is rated an F4 according to Grazulis and official records.
Mar 31
Mar 31
Day
Mar 31
Year
1973
Country
United States
Sub­division
South Carolina
Location
Calhoun Falls, Abbeville
Fata­lities
7
Rated by
NCDC, Fujita
Over 100 homes were affected. 30 people were injured. This tornado was initially rated F5 by Ted Fujita, though it was later downgraded to F4.
Over 100 homes were affected. 30 people were injured. This tornado was initially rated F5 by Ted Fujita, though it was later downgraded to F4.
Day
Over 100 homes were affected. 30 people were injured. This tornado was initially rated F5 by Ted Fujita, though it was later downgraded to F4.
Apr 3
Apr 3
Day
Apr 3
Year
1974
Country
United States
Sub­division
Tennessee
Location
Lincoln County, Franklin County, Coffee County
Fata­lities
11
Rated by
NWS, NWA
1974 Super Outbreak – This intense tornado caused unverifiable F5 damage when it leveled and swept away several "well-constructed homes" in Franklin County. Destroyed roughly 46 homes and 90 barns in just that county alone. Developed from the same thunderstorm that produced the first F5 Tanner tornado. Previously rated F5 by NWS, but later downgraded to F4.
1974 Super Outbreak – This intense tornado caused unverifiable F5 damage when it leveled and swept away several "well-constructed homes" in Franklin County. Destroyed roughly 46 homes and 90 barns in just that county alone. Developed from the same thunderstorm that produced the first F5 Tanner tornado. Previously rated F5 by NWS, but later downgraded to F4.
Day
1974 Super Outbreak – This intense tornado caused unverifiable F5 damage when it leveled and swept away several "well-constructed homes" in Franklin County. Destroyed roughly 46 homes and 90 barns in just that county alone. Developed from the same thunderstorm that produced the first F5 Tanner tornado. Previously rated F5 by NWS, but later downgraded to F4.
Jun 9
Jun 9
Day
Jun 9
Year
1984
Country
Soviet Union (Russia)
Sub­division
Ivanovo Oblast
Location
Ivanovo, Lunevo
Fata­lities
69
Rated by
TORRO, ESSL
1984 Soviet Union tornado outbreak – An extremely intense multiple-vortex tornado swept wooden homes away, overturned a 320 t (710,000 lb) crane and mangled vehicles beyond recognition. Pavement was stripped from highway near Ivanovo and numerous trees were snapped or debarked. The tornado was exceptionally long-lived, remaining on the ground for roughly 100 mi (160 km) over the course of two hours. At least 69 fatalities were confirmed, though the actual toll was likely higher. This tornado was originally rated as an F5 by European Severe Weather Database on the basis of 50 t (110,000 lb) water tank being thrown 200 m (660 ft), however, the water tank was revealed to be elevated, which helps it to fly this distance. In 2018, the rating was downgraded from F5 to an F4. TORRO rated this tornado as an T10 and still keeps this rating.
1984 Soviet Union tornado outbreak – An extremely intense multiple-vortex tornado swept wooden homes away, overturned a 320 t (710,000 lb) crane and mangled vehicles beyond recognition. Pavement was stripped from highway near Ivanovo and numerous trees were snapped or debarked. The tornado was exceptionally long-lived, remaining on the ground for roughly 100 mi (160 km) over the course of two hours. At least 69 fatalities were confirmed, though the actual toll was likely higher. This tornado was originally rated as an F5 by European Severe Weather Database on the basis of 50 t (110,000 lb) water tank being thrown 200 m (660 ft), however, the water tank was revealed to be elevated, which helps it to fly this distance. In 2018, the rating was downgraded from F5 to an F4. TORRO rated this tornado as an T10 and still keeps this rating.
Day
1984 Soviet Union tornado outbreak – An extremely intense multiple-vortex tornado swept wooden homes away, overturned a 320 t (710,000 lb) crane and mangled vehicles beyond recognition. Pavement was stripped from highway near Ivanovo and numerous trees were snapped or debarked. The tornado was exceptionally long-lived, remaining on the ground for roughly 100 mi (160 km) over the course of two hours. At least 69 fatalities were confirmed, though the actual toll was likely higher. This tornado was originally rated as an F5 by European Severe Weather Database on the basis of 50 t (110,000 lb) water tank being thrown 200 m (660 ft), however, the water tank was revealed to be elevated, which helps it to fly this distance. In 2018, the rating was downgraded from F5 to an F4. TORRO rated this tornado as an T10 and still keeps this rating.
Jun 8
Jun 8
Day
Jun 8
Year
1995
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
McLean, Kellerville
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
VORTEX
Tornado outbreak of June 8, 1995 – Project VORTEX assessed this tornado to be an F5. Intense pavement and ground scouring occurred, with only bare soil left in some areas.
Tornado outbreak of June 8, 1995 – Project VORTEX assessed this tornado to be an F5. Intense pavement and ground scouring occurred, with only bare soil left in some areas.
Day
Tornado outbreak of June 8, 1995 – Project VORTEX assessed this tornado to be an F5. Intense pavement and ground scouring occurred, with only bare soil left in some areas.
Jun 8
Jun 8
Day
Jun 8
Year
1995
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Allison
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
NWS, VORTEX
Tornado outbreak of June 8, 1995 – A National Weather Service damage survey was not conducted due in part to the extensive damage and injuries from another tornado in Pampa, Texas. Four homes were destroyed and more than 800 head of livestock were killed. An NCDC report states that "all sighting reports would place this as an F5 tornado" with storm spotters calling it "one of the biggest and meanest appearing tornadoes they had ever seen". However, this tornado hit few man-made structures and a significant amount of time elapsed before damage could be examined, so it could not be rated higher than F4.
Tornado outbreak of June 8, 1995 – A National Weather Service damage survey was not conducted due in part to the extensive damage and injuries from another tornado in Pampa, Texas. Four homes were destroyed and more than 800 head of livestock were killed. An NCDC report states that "all sighting reports would place this as an F5 tornado" with storm spotters calling it "one of the biggest and meanest appearing tornadoes they had ever seen". However, this tornado hit few man-made structures and a significant amount of time elapsed before damage could be examined, so it could not be rated higher than F4.
Day
Tornado outbreak of June 8, 1995 – A National Weather Service damage survey was not conducted due in part to the extensive damage and injuries from another tornado in Pampa, Texas. Four homes were destroyed and more than 800 head of livestock were killed. An NCDC report states that "all sighting reports would place this as an F5 tornado" with storm spotters calling it "one of the biggest and meanest appearing tornadoes they had ever seen". However, this tornado hit few man-made structures and a significant amount of time elapsed before damage could be examined, so it could not be rated higher than F4.
Apr 16
Apr 16
Day
Apr 16
Year
1998
Country
United States
Sub­division
Tennessee
Location
Hardin County, Wayne County
Fata­lities
3
Rated by
NWS
Tornado outbreak of April 15–16, 1998 – Originally considered part of a very long-tracked F5 tornado but was later determined to have been the first in a series of three separate, violent tornadoes. Multiple homes were reduced to their foundations. Although officially rated an F4, a re-analysis conducted in 2013 by the NWS Office in Nashville noted that the damage in Wayne County may warrant EF5; however, no tornadoes are rated using the enhanced scale that occurred prior to February 2007.
Tornado outbreak of April 15–16, 1998 – Originally considered part of a very long-tracked F5 tornado but was later determined to have been the first in a series of three separate, violent tornadoes. Multiple homes were reduced to their foundations. Although officially rated an F4, a re-analysis conducted in 2013 by the NWS Office in Nashville noted that the damage in Wayne County may warrant EF5; however, no tornadoes are rated using the enhanced scale that occurred prior to February 2007.
Day
Tornado outbreak of April 15–16, 1998 – Originally considered part of a very long-tracked F5 tornado but was later determined to have been the first in a series of three separate, violent tornadoes. Multiple homes were reduced to their foundations. Although officially rated an F4, a re-analysis conducted in 2013 by the NWS Office in Nashville noted that the damage in Wayne County may warrant EF5; however, no tornadoes are rated using the enhanced scale that occurred prior to February 2007.
Apr 28
Apr 28
Day
Apr 28
Year
2002
Country
United States
Sub­division
Maryland
Location
La Plata
Fata­lities
3
Rated by
NWS
2002 La Plata tornado – Initially rated F5 by the National Weather Service, but was downgraded in a secondary damage survey conducted by Timothy Marshall. This preliminary F5 rating, partly due to damage to a brick building in downtown La Plata, was lowered to F4, after the damage assessment team determined some of the damage was likely due to flying debris from a lumber company nearby. Damage to houses, initially rated F5, were lowered when an engineering survey determined these homes were not properly anchored, causing them to be swept off their foundations by lesser winds.
2002 La Plata tornado – Initially rated F5 by the National Weather Service, but was downgraded in a secondary damage survey conducted by Timothy Marshall. This preliminary F5 rating, partly due to damage to a brick building in downtown La Plata, was lowered to F4, after the damage assessment team determined some of the damage was likely due to flying debris from a lumber company nearby. Damage to houses, initially rated F5, were lowered when an engineering survey determined these homes were not properly anchored, causing them to be swept off their foundations by lesser winds.
Day
2002 La Plata tornado – Initially rated F5 by the National Weather Service, but was downgraded in a secondary damage survey conducted by Timothy Marshall. This preliminary F5 rating, partly due to damage to a brick building in downtown La Plata, was lowered to F4, after the damage assessment team determined some of the damage was likely due to flying debris from a lumber company nearby. Damage to houses, initially rated F5, were lowered when an engineering survey determined these homes were not properly anchored, causing them to be swept off their foundations by lesser winds.
Apr 27
Apr 27
Day
Apr 27
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Alabama
Location
Tuscaloosa, Holt, Hueytown, Concord, Pleasant Grove, McDonald Chapel, Birmingham, Fultondale
Fata­lities
64
Rated by
NWS, Murayama, Velev, Zlateva
2011 Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado – Officially rated high-end EF4, though the final rating was a source of controversy, and one survey team rated some of the damage as EF5. Many homes, a large section of an apartment building, and a clubhouse were swept away, though these structures were either poorly anchored, lacked interior walls, or surrounded by contextual damage not consistent with an EF5 tornado. A manhole cover was removed from a drain and thrown into a ravine near the clubhouse. A 34-ton (68,000 lb; 31,000 kg) railroad trestle support structure was thrown 100 ft (30 m) up a hill, and a 35.8-ton (71,600 lb; 32,500 kg) coal car was thrown 391 ft (119 m) through the air. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Tuscaloosa tornado an EF5.
2011 Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado – Officially rated high-end EF4, though the final rating was a source of controversy, and one survey team rated some of the damage as EF5. Many homes, a large section of an apartment building, and a clubhouse were swept away, though these structures were either poorly anchored, lacked interior walls, or surrounded by contextual damage not consistent with an EF5 tornado. A manhole cover was removed from a drain and thrown into a ravine near the clubhouse. A 34-ton (68,000 lb; 31,000 kg) railroad trestle support structure was thrown 100 ft (30 m) up a hill, and a 35.8-ton (71,600 lb; 32,500 kg) coal car was thrown 391 ft (119 m) through the air. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Tuscaloosa tornado an EF5.
Day
2011 Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado – Officially rated high-end EF4, though the final rating was a source of controversy, and one survey team rated some of the damage as EF5. Many homes, a large section of an apartment building, and a clubhouse were swept away, though these structures were either poorly anchored, lacked interior walls, or surrounded by contextual damage not consistent with an EF5 tornado. A manhole cover was removed from a drain and thrown into a ravine near the clubhouse. A 34-ton (68,000 lb; 31,000 kg) railroad trestle support structure was thrown 100 ft (30 m) up a hill, and a 35.8-ton (71,600 lb; 32,500 kg) coal car was thrown 391 ft (119 m) through the air. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Tuscaloosa tornado an EF5.
May 24
May 24
Day
May 24
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Bradley, Washington, Goldsby
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Ortega, Murayama, Velev, Zlateva
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 21–26, 2011 – Officially rated high-end EF4 with winds up to 200 mph (320 km/h), this tornado leveled or completely swept away multiple well-built structures. Vehicles were thrown long distances and mangled almost beyond recognition. The National Weather Service noted the structures destroyed were "falling just short of the damage indicator for an EF5." Kiel Ortega, a National Weather Service damage surveyor discussed with another surveyor saying, "some people believe it should have been rated EF5". In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Washington—Goldsby tornado an EF5.
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 21–26, 2011 – Officially rated high-end EF4 with winds up to 200 mph (320 km/h), this tornado leveled or completely swept away multiple well-built structures. Vehicles were thrown long distances and mangled almost beyond recognition. The National Weather Service noted the structures destroyed were "falling just short of the damage indicator for an EF5." Kiel Ortega, a National Weather Service damage surveyor discussed with another surveyor saying, "some people believe it should have been rated EF5". In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Washington—Goldsby tornado an EF5.
Day
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 21–26, 2011 – Officially rated high-end EF4 with winds up to 200 mph (320 km/h), this tornado leveled or completely swept away multiple well-built structures. Vehicles were thrown long distances and mangled almost beyond recognition. The National Weather Service noted the structures destroyed were "falling just short of the damage indicator for an EF5." Kiel Ortega, a National Weather Service damage surveyor discussed with another surveyor saying, "some people believe it should have been rated EF5". In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Washington—Goldsby tornado an EF5.
May 31
May 31
Day
May 31
Year
2013
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
El Reno
Fata­lities
8
Rated by
NWS, Murayama, Velev, Zlateva
2013 El Reno tornado – Originally rated as an EF5, which is based on mobile Doppler Weather Radar data of picking up winds of 302 mph (486 km/h). However, the lack of available damage resulted into rating downgrading from EF5 to an EF3. This tornado holds the record for the widest tornado ever recorded at 2.6 miles (4.2 km) wide. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the El Reno tornado an EF5. This was reaffirmed in March 2024 by scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma which stated winds between 115–150 m/s (260–340 mph; 410–540 km/h) was measured less than 100 metres (110 yd) off the ground.
2013 El Reno tornado – Originally rated as an EF5, which is based on mobile Doppler Weather Radar data of picking up winds of 302 mph (486 km/h). However, the lack of available damage resulted into rating downgrading from EF5 to an EF3. This tornado holds the record for the widest tornado ever recorded at 2.6 miles (4.2 km) wide. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the El Reno tornado an EF5. This was reaffirmed in March 2024 by scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma which stated winds between 115–150 m/s (260–340 mph; 410–540 km/h) was measured less than 100 metres (110 yd) off the ground.
Day
2013 El Reno tornado – Originally rated as an EF5, which is based on mobile Doppler Weather Radar data of picking up winds of 302 mph (486 km/h). However, the lack of available damage resulted into rating downgrading from EF5 to an EF3. This tornado holds the record for the widest tornado ever recorded at 2.6 miles (4.2 km) wide. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the El Reno tornado an EF5. This was reaffirmed in March 2024 by scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma which stated winds between 115–150 m/s (260–340 mph; 410–540 km/h) was measured less than 100 metres (110 yd) off the ground.
Day
Year
Country
Sub­division
Location
Fata­lities
Rated by
Mar 21
1952
United States
Mississippi,Tennessee
Byhalia (MS), Moscow (TN)
17
NCDC
Tornado outbreak of March 21–22, 1952 – This tornado is officially rated F4 in tornado databases; however, the National Climatic Data Center lists this as an F5 event in a technical report listing all known F5 tornadoes. The only possible F5 damage was to a concrete block structure that may or may not have been steel-reinforced. It originally was the first officially ranked F5 tornado in the United States, but was later downgraded to F4.
Jun 9
1953
United States
Massachusetts
Petersham, Barre, Rutland, Holden, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Westborough, Southborough
94
Grazulis
1953 Worcester tornado – Many strong structures with numerous interior walls were leveled, and entire blocks of homes were swept cleanly away. The large, brick Assumption College sustained severe damage, and its upper stories were completely destroyed. A large, multi-ton storage tank was carried over a road, and trees along the path were debarked as well. Debris from this tornado was found in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1993 Grazulis noted that an F5 rating was "probably appropriate," and in a later publication of his, in 2001, the tornado was posthumously rated F5, based on newly available photographs of the "immense" destruction, which indicated that the tornado merited an F5 rating and "should" have been rated as such in 1975, but was instead rated F4 at that time. Even after an unprecedented reassessment of damages in 2005, a panel of experts assembled by the National Weather Service determined that anchoring techniques for the homes that were swept away or had completely vanished could not be determined. Without a proper engineering qualification, it would be nearly impossible to determine with 100% accuracy which damage was F5 and which was F4, as appearances would be similar. As a result, the panel decided that the rating would remain a high-end F4.
May 19
1960
United States
Kansas
Wamego, St. Marys
0
Grazulis
Two farms were swept away. This tornado was rated F5 by Grazulis.
May 30
1961
United States
Nebraska
Custer County, Valley County
0
NCDC, Grazulis
All buildings and machinery were swept away from a farm. Widely accepted as an F5 tornado, including within a NCDC technical report; however, it is listed as an F4 in the official databases.
Apr 11
1965
United States
Indiana
Dunlap
36
NCDC, Grazulis
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – This was the second violent tornado to strike Dunlap within 90 minutes. A well-built truck stop was leveled and many permanent homes were swept away in two subdivisions.
Apr 11
1965
United States
Indiana
Lebanon, Sheridan
28
NCDC
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – Farms were obliterated and vehicles were thrown up 100 yd (91 m).
Apr 11
1965
United States
Ohio
Pittsfield Township, Strongsville
18
NCDC, Grazulis
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – Homes were cleanly swept away in Strongsville and Pittsfield, and Pittsfield was completely destroyed. Only a concrete war monument remained standing in Pittsfield, where homes "vanished."
May 8
1965
United States
Nebraska
Wolbach, Primrose
4
NCDC, Grazulis
Early May 1965 tornado outbreak – Homes and businesses were leveled and swept away, along with mature trees that were reduced to pulpy "matchsticks". Cars were moved 400–440 yd (0.23–0.25 mi), and the body of a truck was tossed and rolled 2 mi (3.2 km). Grazulis listed this tornado as an F5.
Apr 27
1971
United States
Kentucky
Gosser Ridge
2
NCDC
1971 Gosser Ridge tornado – Most buildings on a farm were swept away. The tornado is listed as a "questionable" F5 in the NCDC Tech Report, and is rated an F4 according to Grazulis and official records.
Mar 31
1973
United States
South Carolina
Calhoun Falls, Abbeville
7
NCDC, Fujita
Over 100 homes were affected. 30 people were injured. This tornado was initially rated F5 by Ted Fujita, though it was later downgraded to F4.
Apr 3
1974
United States
Tennessee
Lincoln County, Franklin County, Coffee County
11
NWS, NWA
1974 Super Outbreak – This intense tornado caused unverifiable F5 damage when it leveled and swept away several "well-constructed homes" in Franklin County. Destroyed roughly 46 homes and 90 barns in just that county alone. Developed from the same thunderstorm that produced the first F5 Tanner tornado. Previously rated F5 by NWS, but later downgraded to F4.
Jun 9
1984
Soviet Union (Russia)
Ivanovo Oblast
Ivanovo, Lunevo
69
TORRO, ESSL
1984 Soviet Union tornado outbreak – An extremely intense multiple-vortex tornado swept wooden homes away, overturned a 320 t (710,000 lb) crane and mangled vehicles beyond recognition. Pavement was stripped from highway near Ivanovo and numerous trees were snapped or debarked. The tornado was exceptionally long-lived, remaining on the ground for roughly 100 mi (160 km) over the course of two hours. At least 69 fatalities were confirmed, though the actual toll was likely higher. This tornado was originally rated as an F5 by European Severe Weather Database on the basis of 50 t (110,000 lb) water tank being thrown 200 m (660 ft), however, the water tank was revealed to be elevated, which helps it to fly this distance. In 2018, the rating was downgraded from F5 to an F4. TORRO rated this tornado as an T10 and still keeps this rating.
Jun 8
1995
United States
Texas
McLean, Kellerville
0
VORTEX
Tornado outbreak of June 8, 1995 – Project VORTEX assessed this tornado to be an F5. Intense pavement and ground scouring occurred, with only bare soil left in some areas.
Jun 8
1995
United States
Texas
Allison
0
NWS, VORTEX
Tornado outbreak of June 8, 1995 – A National Weather Service damage survey was not conducted due in part to the extensive damage and injuries from another tornado in Pampa, Texas. Four homes were destroyed and more than 800 head of livestock were killed. An NCDC report states that "all sighting reports would place this as an F5 tornado" with storm spotters calling it "one of the biggest and meanest appearing tornadoes they had ever seen". However, this tornado hit few man-made structures and a significant amount of time elapsed before damage could be examined, so it could not be rated higher than F4.
Apr 16
1998
United States
Tennessee
Hardin County, Wayne County
3
NWS
Tornado outbreak of April 15–16, 1998 – Originally considered part of a very long-tracked F5 tornado but was later determined to have been the first in a series of three separate, violent tornadoes. Multiple homes were reduced to their foundations. Although officially rated an F4, a re-analysis conducted in 2013 by the NWS Office in Nashville noted that the damage in Wayne County may warrant EF5; however, no tornadoes are rated using the enhanced scale that occurred prior to February 2007.
Apr 28
2002
United States
Maryland
La Plata
3
NWS
2002 La Plata tornado – Initially rated F5 by the National Weather Service, but was downgraded in a secondary damage survey conducted by Timothy Marshall. This preliminary F5 rating, partly due to damage to a brick building in downtown La Plata, was lowered to F4, after the damage assessment team determined some of the damage was likely due to flying debris from a lumber company nearby. Damage to houses, initially rated F5, were lowered when an engineering survey determined these homes were not properly anchored, causing them to be swept off their foundations by lesser winds.
Apr 27
2011
United States
Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Holt, Hueytown, Concord, Pleasant Grove, McDonald Chapel, Birmingham, Fultondale
64
NWS, Murayama, Velev, Zlateva
2011 Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado – Officially rated high-end EF4, though the final rating was a source of controversy, and one survey team rated some of the damage as EF5. Many homes, a large section of an apartment building, and a clubhouse were swept away, though these structures were either poorly anchored, lacked interior walls, or surrounded by contextual damage not consistent with an EF5 tornado. A manhole cover was removed from a drain and thrown into a ravine near the clubhouse. A 34-ton (68,000 lb; 31,000 kg) railroad trestle support structure was thrown 100 ft (30 m) up a hill, and a 35.8-ton (71,600 lb; 32,500 kg) coal car was thrown 391 ft (119 m) through the air. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Tuscaloosa tornado an EF5.
May 24
2011
United States
Oklahoma
Bradley, Washington, Goldsby
0
Ortega, Murayama, Velev, Zlateva
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 21–26, 2011 – Officially rated high-end EF4 with winds up to 200 mph (320 km/h), this tornado leveled or completely swept away multiple well-built structures. Vehicles were thrown long distances and mangled almost beyond recognition. The National Weather Service noted the structures destroyed were "falling just short of the damage indicator for an EF5." Kiel Ortega, a National Weather Service damage surveyor discussed with another surveyor saying, "some people believe it should have been rated EF5". In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Washington—Goldsby tornado an EF5.
May 31
2013
United States
Oklahoma
El Reno
8
NWS, Murayama, Velev, Zlateva
2013 El Reno tornado – Originally rated as an EF5, which is based on mobile Doppler Weather Radar data of picking up winds of 302 mph (486 km/h). However, the lack of available damage resulted into rating downgrading from EF5 to an EF3. This tornado holds the record for the widest tornado ever recorded at 2.6 miles (4.2 km) wide. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the El Reno tornado an EF5. This was reaffirmed in March 2024 by scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma which stated winds between 115–150 m/s (260–340 mph; 410–540 km/h) was measured less than 100 metres (110 yd) off the ground.
Tornadoes officially rated below F5/EF5/T10 or equivalent but which may have caused F5/EF5/T10+ damage · List of events › Possible F5/EF5/IF5 tornadoes › Possible F5/EF5/IF5 damage
Jun 17
Jun 17
Day
Jun 17
Year
1946
Country
United States,Canada
Sub­division
Michigan,Ontario
Location
River Rouge (MI), Windsor (ON), LaSalle (ON), Tecumseh (ON)
Fata­lities
17
Rated by
ECCC
1946 Windsor–Tecumseh tornado – This tornado was officially rated F4; however, one home had a portion of its concrete block foundation pulled out of the ground and carried away, indicating borderline F5 damage. Some victims were mutilated, dismembered or stripped of their clothes.
1946 Windsor–Tecumseh tornado – This tornado was officially rated F4; however, one home had a portion of its concrete block foundation pulled out of the ground and carried away, indicating borderline F5 damage. Some victims were mutilated, dismembered or stripped of their clothes.
Day
1946 Windsor–Tecumseh tornado – This tornado was officially rated F4; however, one home had a portion of its concrete block foundation pulled out of the ground and carried away, indicating borderline F5 damage. Some victims were mutilated, dismembered or stripped of their clothes.
May 18
May 18
Day
May 18
Year
1951
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Olney
Fata­lities
2
Rated by
Grazulis
Many homes in town were destroyed, some of which were swept away with very little debris left. Grazulis called this tornado a "possible" F5.
Many homes in town were destroyed, some of which were swept away with very little debris left. Grazulis called this tornado a "possible" F5.
Day
Many homes in town were destroyed, some of which were swept away with very little debris left. Grazulis called this tornado a "possible" F5.
Sep 26
Sep 26
Day
Sep 26
Year
1951
Country
United States
Sub­division
Wisconsin
Location
Waupaca
Fata­lities
6
Rated by
Grazulis
This tornado obliterated a trio of farmsteads. It was mentioned as a probable F5 by Grazulis.
This tornado obliterated a trio of farmsteads. It was mentioned as a probable F5 by Grazulis.
Day
This tornado obliterated a trio of farmsteads. It was mentioned as a probable F5 by Grazulis.
May 22
May 22
Day
May 22
Year
1952
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Linwood, Edwardsville
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of May 21–24, 1952 – The home of a bank president was leveled. Grazulis considered the tornado to be "possibly F5."
Tornado outbreak of May 21–24, 1952 – The home of a bank president was leveled. Grazulis considered the tornado to be "possibly F5."
Day
Tornado outbreak of May 21–24, 1952 – The home of a bank president was leveled. Grazulis considered the tornado to be "possibly F5."
Jun 8
Jun 8
Day
Jun 8
Year
1953
Country
United States
Sub­division
Ohio
Location
Cygnet
Fata­lities
18
Rated by
Grazulis
Flint–Worcester tornado outbreak sequence – Possible but unverifiable F5 damage occurred near Cygnet where homes were swept completely away. A steel-and-concrete bridge was destroyed as the tornado passed near Jerry City.
Flint–Worcester tornado outbreak sequence – Possible but unverifiable F5 damage occurred near Cygnet where homes were swept completely away. A steel-and-concrete bridge was destroyed as the tornado passed near Jerry City.
Day
Flint–Worcester tornado outbreak sequence – Possible but unverifiable F5 damage occurred near Cygnet where homes were swept completely away. A steel-and-concrete bridge was destroyed as the tornado passed near Jerry City.
May 1
May 1
Day
May 1
Year
1954
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas,Oklahoma
Location
Crowell (TX), Vernon (TX), Snyder (OK)
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Grazulis
Vehicles were thrown more than 100 yd (91 m), and three farms were entirely swept away. Grazulis considered the tornado to be a probable F5.
Vehicles were thrown more than 100 yd (91 m), and three farms were entirely swept away. Grazulis considered the tornado to be a probable F5.
Day
Vehicles were thrown more than 100 yd (91 m), and three farms were entirely swept away. Grazulis considered the tornado to be a probable F5.
Jul 2
Jul 2
Day
Jul 2
Year
1955
Country
United States
Sub­division
North Dakota
Location
Walcott
Fata­lities
2
Rated by
Grazulis
A photograph of a farmhouse showed possible F5 damage.
A photograph of a farmhouse showed possible F5 damage.
Day
A photograph of a farmhouse showed possible F5 damage.
May 21
May 21
Day
May 21
Year
1957
Country
United States
Sub­division
Missouri
Location
Fremont, Van Buren
Fata­lities
7
Rated by
Grazulis
May 1957 Central Plains tornado outbreak sequence – Most of Fremont was destroyed, with many structures swept away. Possible F5 damage occurred to schools, homes, and businesses near the railroad tracks, but houses in the area were poorly constructed.
May 1957 Central Plains tornado outbreak sequence – Most of Fremont was destroyed, with many structures swept away. Possible F5 damage occurred to schools, homes, and businesses near the railroad tracks, but houses in the area were poorly constructed.
Day
May 1957 Central Plains tornado outbreak sequence – Most of Fremont was destroyed, with many structures swept away. Possible F5 damage occurred to schools, homes, and businesses near the railroad tracks, but houses in the area were poorly constructed.
Jun 16
Jun 16
Day
Jun 16
Year
1957
Country
Italy
Sub­division
Pavia
Location
Robecco Pavese, Valle Scuropasso
Fata­lities
7
Rated by
ESSL
Many large stone buildings were flattened. The tornado is officially rated F4, but images show possible T10/low-end F5 damage.
Many large stone buildings were flattened. The tornado is officially rated F4, but images show possible T10/low-end F5 damage.
Day
Many large stone buildings were flattened. The tornado is officially rated F4, but images show possible T10/low-end F5 damage.
Jun 10
Jun 10
Day
Jun 10
Year
1958
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
El Dorado
Fata­lities
15
Rated by
Grazulis
Reports indicated possible F5-level damage to homes. A car was thrown 100 yd (91 m), but damage photographs were inconclusive as to whether F5 structural damage occurred. Nevertheless, the tornado was considered to be a probable F5 by Grazulis.
Reports indicated possible F5-level damage to homes. A car was thrown 100 yd (91 m), but damage photographs were inconclusive as to whether F5 structural damage occurred. Nevertheless, the tornado was considered to be a probable F5 by Grazulis.
Day
Reports indicated possible F5-level damage to homes. A car was thrown 100 yd (91 m), but damage photographs were inconclusive as to whether F5 structural damage occurred. Nevertheless, the tornado was considered to be a probable F5 by Grazulis.
Jun 6
Jun 6
Day
Jun 6
Year
1963
Country
United States
Sub­division
South Dakota
Location
Swett, Patricia
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Grazulis
A church and a home literally vanished. Grazulis considered the tornado to be "possibly" F5, but it listed as only F3 in the official database.
A church and a home literally vanished. Grazulis considered the tornado to be "possibly" F5, but it listed as only F3 in the official database.
Day
A church and a home literally vanished. Grazulis considered the tornado to be "possibly" F5, but it listed as only F3 in the official database.
Apr 12
Apr 12
Day
Apr 12
Year
1964
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Lawrence
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Grazulis
Farms were leveled and a truck was thrown 300 yd (270 m). Grazulis noted possible F5 damage.
Farms were leveled and a truck was thrown 300 yd (270 m). Grazulis noted possible F5 damage.
Day
Farms were leveled and a truck was thrown 300 yd (270 m). Grazulis noted possible F5 damage.
Apr 23
Apr 23
Day
Apr 23
Year
1968
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kentucky,Ohio
Location
Falmouth (KY), Ripley (OH)
Fata­lities
6
Rated by
Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of April 21–24, 1968 – This tornado was mentioned as a possible F5 by Grazulis.
Tornado outbreak of April 21–24, 1968 – This tornado was mentioned as a possible F5 by Grazulis.
Day
Tornado outbreak of April 21–24, 1968 – This tornado was mentioned as a possible F5 by Grazulis.
Jun 9
Jun 9
Day
Jun 9
Year
1984
Country
Soviet Union (Russia)
Sub­division
Kostroma Oblast
Location
Kostroma, Lyubim
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Pending
1984 Soviet Union tornado outbreak – Officially rated F4, but survey mentions possible F5 damage. Trees were ripped from the ground and thrown long distances. A 350,000 kg (770,000 lb) industrial crane was blown over.
1984 Soviet Union tornado outbreak – Officially rated F4, but survey mentions possible F5 damage. Trees were ripped from the ground and thrown long distances. A 350,000 kg (770,000 lb) industrial crane was blown over.
Day
1984 Soviet Union tornado outbreak – Officially rated F4, but survey mentions possible F5 damage. Trees were ripped from the ground and thrown long distances. A 350,000 kg (770,000 lb) industrial crane was blown over.
May 31
May 31
Day
May 31
Year
1985
Country
United States
Sub­division
Pennsylvania
Location
Parker Dam State Park, Moshannon State Forest
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
NWS
1985 United States–Canada tornado outbreak – This tornado may have been capable of producing F5 damage over rural areas.
1985 United States–Canada tornado outbreak – This tornado may have been capable of producing F5 damage over rural areas.
Day
1985 United States–Canada tornado outbreak – This tornado may have been capable of producing F5 damage over rural areas.
Jul 31
Jul 31
Day
Jul 31
Year
1987
Country
Canada
Sub­division
Alberta
Location
Edmonton
Fata­lities
27
Rated by
ECCC
Edmonton tornado – Heavy trailers and oil tanks were tossed, and large factories were leveled. If confirmed by Environment Canada, this would make it the earliest such tornado since records have been kept, next to the 2007 Elie tornado.
Edmonton tornado – Heavy trailers and oil tanks were tossed, and large factories were leveled. If confirmed by Environment Canada, this would make it the earliest such tornado since records have been kept, next to the 2007 Elie tornado.
Day
Edmonton tornado – Heavy trailers and oil tanks were tossed, and large factories were leveled. If confirmed by Environment Canada, this would make it the earliest such tornado since records have been kept, next to the 2007 Elie tornado.
Jan 7
Jan 7
Day
Jan 7
Year
1989
Country
United States
Sub­division
Illinois
Location
Allendale
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Grazulis
This tornado was considered by Grazulis to be a more plausible candidate for an F5 rating than the "questionable" Oakfield tornado in 1996.
This tornado was considered by Grazulis to be a more plausible candidate for an F5 rating than the "questionable" Oakfield tornado in 1996.
Day
This tornado was considered by Grazulis to be a more plausible candidate for an F5 rating than the "questionable" Oakfield tornado in 1996.
Apr 26
Apr 26
Day
Apr 26
Year
1991
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Arkansas City, Hackney, Winfield, Tisdale
Fata­lities
1
Rated by
Grazulis
1991 Andover tornado outbreak – According to an informal survey conducted by a group of storm chasers, one home was so obliterated that the National Weather Service survey likely missed it.
1991 Andover tornado outbreak – According to an informal survey conducted by a group of storm chasers, one home was so obliterated that the National Weather Service survey likely missed it.
Day
1991 Andover tornado outbreak – According to an informal survey conducted by a group of storm chasers, one home was so obliterated that the National Weather Service survey likely missed it.
Nov 29
Nov 29
Day
Nov 29
Year
1992
Country
Australia
Sub­division
Queensland
Location
Bucca
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Callaghan
Bucca tornado – One of the most violent tornadoes ever to have occurred in Australia and was the first Australian tornado to be officially rated F4. The tornado flattened some houses to the ground, trees were snapped and stones were embedded into the trunks. A refrigerator was blown away and never found and a 3-ton truck was thrown 300 m (330 yd). Jeff Callaghan, a retired senior severe weather forecaster for the Bureau of Meteorology conducted a case study on this tornado and said it "was rated a F4 or possibly an F5".
Bucca tornado – One of the most violent tornadoes ever to have occurred in Australia and was the first Australian tornado to be officially rated F4. The tornado flattened some houses to the ground, trees were snapped and stones were embedded into the trunks. A refrigerator was blown away and never found and a 3-ton truck was thrown 300 m (330 yd). Jeff Callaghan, a retired senior severe weather forecaster for the Bureau of Meteorology conducted a case study on this tornado and said it "was rated a F4 or possibly an F5".
Day
Bucca tornado – One of the most violent tornadoes ever to have occurred in Australia and was the first Australian tornado to be officially rated F4. The tornado flattened some houses to the ground, trees were snapped and stones were embedded into the trunks. A refrigerator was blown away and never found and a 3-ton truck was thrown 300 m (330 yd). Jeff Callaghan, a retired senior severe weather forecaster for the Bureau of Meteorology conducted a case study on this tornado and said it "was rated a F4 or possibly an F5".
Jun 8
Jun 8
Day
Jun 8
Year
1995
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Pampa
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Grazulis
This tornado would have likely produced F5 damage had it struck residential areas. Grazulis considered the tornado a candidate for an F6 rating based on photogrammetric video analysis.
This tornado would have likely produced F5 damage had it struck residential areas. Grazulis considered the tornado a candidate for an F6 rating based on photogrammetric video analysis.
Day
This tornado would have likely produced F5 damage had it struck residential areas. Grazulis considered the tornado a candidate for an F6 rating based on photogrammetric video analysis.
May 11
May 11
Day
May 11
Year
1999
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Loyal Valley
Fata­lities
1
Rated by
Flores, Hecke
1999 Loyal Valley tornado – Officially rated high-end F4, though one survey revealed potential F5 damage. Two homes were completely swept away, with debris scattered over great distances. Large pieces of a pickup truck were found 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) from the residence where it originated, and a 720-foot (220 m) stretch of pavement was scoured from a road. Ground scouring occurred, and numerous mesquite trees were completely denuded and debarked. A reporter who also witnessed the destruction at Jarrell, Eddie Flores, said: "I hadn't seen anything like that. I couldn't believe what it did to animals. This was wiped clean, too, but the cattle - their hides had been ripped right off of them. Some of them were missing heads, and some were caught up and entwined in barbed wire". Had this tornado touched down in an urban area, the devastation likely would have rivaled that from Oklahoma City or the storm that leveled a subdivision in Jarrell in 1997, - stated meteorologist Bill Hecke.
1999 Loyal Valley tornado – Officially rated high-end F4, though one survey revealed potential F5 damage. Two homes were completely swept away, with debris scattered over great distances. Large pieces of a pickup truck were found 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) from the residence where it originated, and a 720-foot (220 m) stretch of pavement was scoured from a road. Ground scouring occurred, and numerous mesquite trees were completely denuded and debarked. A reporter who also witnessed the destruction at Jarrell, Eddie Flores, said: "I hadn't seen anything like that. I couldn't believe what it did to animals. This was wiped clean, too, but the cattle - their hides had been ripped right off of them. Some of them were missing heads, and some were caught up and entwined in barbed wire". Had this tornado touched down in an urban area, the devastation likely would have rivaled that from Oklahoma City or the storm that leveled a subdivision in Jarrell in 1997, - stated meteorologist Bill Hecke.
Day
1999 Loyal Valley tornado – Officially rated high-end F4, though one survey revealed potential F5 damage. Two homes were completely swept away, with debris scattered over great distances. Large pieces of a pickup truck were found 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) from the residence where it originated, and a 720-foot (220 m) stretch of pavement was scoured from a road. Ground scouring occurred, and numerous mesquite trees were completely denuded and debarked. A reporter who also witnessed the destruction at Jarrell, Eddie Flores, said: "I hadn't seen anything like that. I couldn't believe what it did to animals. This was wiped clean, too, but the cattle - their hides had been ripped right off of them. Some of them were missing heads, and some were caught up and entwined in barbed wire". Had this tornado touched down in an urban area, the devastation likely would have rivaled that from Oklahoma City or the storm that leveled a subdivision in Jarrell in 1997, - stated meteorologist Bill Hecke.
May 12
May 12
Day
May 12
Year
2004
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Harper
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Haynes
A well-built, two-story farmhouse was completely swept away with debris being very finely granulated. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked, and cars were torn apart. Chance Haynes from the NWS in Wichita, Kansas rated this tornado as F4 for its very slow movement, but later express regret over the conservative rating.
A well-built, two-story farmhouse was completely swept away with debris being very finely granulated. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked, and cars were torn apart. Chance Haynes from the NWS in Wichita, Kansas rated this tornado as F4 for its very slow movement, but later express regret over the conservative rating.
Day
A well-built, two-story farmhouse was completely swept away with debris being very finely granulated. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked, and cars were torn apart. Chance Haynes from the NWS in Wichita, Kansas rated this tornado as F4 for its very slow movement, but later express regret over the conservative rating.
May 24
May 24
Day
May 24
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Chickasha, Blanchard, Newcastle
Fata­lities
1
Rated by
NWS, Murayama, Velev, Zlateva
2011 Chickasha–Blanchard tornado – Officially rated a high-end EF4; however, the survey conducted by NWS Norman mentions this tornado as being a "plausible EF5". Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, pavement was scoured from roads and driveways, and vehicles were thrown up to 600 yd (550 m) away, some of which were torn into multiple pieces or stripped down to their frames. Trees were reduced to completely debarked stumps, and severe ground scouring occurred, with all grass and several inches of topsoil removed in some areas. A reinforced concrete dome home was severely damaged and cracked. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Chickasha tornado an EF5.
2011 Chickasha–Blanchard tornado – Officially rated a high-end EF4; however, the survey conducted by NWS Norman mentions this tornado as being a "plausible EF5". Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, pavement was scoured from roads and driveways, and vehicles were thrown up to 600 yd (550 m) away, some of which were torn into multiple pieces or stripped down to their frames. Trees were reduced to completely debarked stumps, and severe ground scouring occurred, with all grass and several inches of topsoil removed in some areas. A reinforced concrete dome home was severely damaged and cracked. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Chickasha tornado an EF5.
Day
2011 Chickasha–Blanchard tornado – Officially rated a high-end EF4; however, the survey conducted by NWS Norman mentions this tornado as being a "plausible EF5". Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, pavement was scoured from roads and driveways, and vehicles were thrown up to 600 yd (550 m) away, some of which were torn into multiple pieces or stripped down to their frames. Trees were reduced to completely debarked stumps, and severe ground scouring occurred, with all grass and several inches of topsoil removed in some areas. A reinforced concrete dome home was severely damaged and cracked. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Chickasha tornado an EF5.
Mar 2
Mar 2
Day
Mar 2
Year
2012
Country
United States
Sub­division
Indiana, Kentucky
Location
Fredericksburg, Henryville, Bedford
Fata­lities
11
Rated by
NWS
2012 Southern Indiana tornado – A violent stovepipe tornado (often referred to as the "Henryville Tornado") that carved a 49 mi (79 km) path of damage from Fredericksburg, Indiana to the Bedford, Kentucky area. This tornado was officially rated a low-end EF4. In 2022, the National Weather Service of Louisville referred to a possible EF5 damage location at a demolished house, where a pickup truck was blown away and never found and a backhoe was deposited into the basement of the house.
2012 Southern Indiana tornado – A violent stovepipe tornado (often referred to as the "Henryville Tornado") that carved a 49 mi (79 km) path of damage from Fredericksburg, Indiana to the Bedford, Kentucky area. This tornado was officially rated a low-end EF4. In 2022, the National Weather Service of Louisville referred to a possible EF5 damage location at a demolished house, where a pickup truck was blown away and never found and a backhoe was deposited into the basement of the house.
Day
2012 Southern Indiana tornado – A violent stovepipe tornado (often referred to as the "Henryville Tornado") that carved a 49 mi (79 km) path of damage from Fredericksburg, Indiana to the Bedford, Kentucky area. This tornado was officially rated a low-end EF4. In 2022, the National Weather Service of Louisville referred to a possible EF5 damage location at a demolished house, where a pickup truck was blown away and never found and a backhoe was deposited into the basement of the house.
Apr 27
Apr 27
Day
Apr 27
Year
2014
Country
United States
Sub­division
Arkansas
Location
Mayflower, Vilonia
Fata­lities
16
Rated by
NWS, Marshall, Grazulis, Murayama, Velev, Zlateva
2014 Mayflower–Vilonia tornado – Officially rated high-end EF4, though the rating was a major source of controversy, and meteorologist/civil engineer Timothy P. Marshall noted that the rating assigned was "lower-bound" and "the possibility that EF5 winds could have occurred" despite the structural flaws responsible for the EF4 rating. Numerous homes were swept completely away with only bare slabs left, including one that was well-bolted to its foundation, and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred. Trees were completely debarked and denuded, shrubs were shredded and debarked, and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and stripped down to their frames. In one instance, a well-built house was swept away, but an EF5 rating was not assigned as it was just one house and it had been struck by debris from other buildings. A large 30,000-pound (14,000 kg) metal fertilizer tank was found approximately 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) away from where it originated. Extensive ground scouring occurred as well. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Mayflower—Vilonia tornado an EF5.
2014 Mayflower–Vilonia tornado – Officially rated high-end EF4, though the rating was a major source of controversy, and meteorologist/civil engineer Timothy P. Marshall noted that the rating assigned was "lower-bound" and "the possibility that EF5 winds could have occurred" despite the structural flaws responsible for the EF4 rating. Numerous homes were swept completely away with only bare slabs left, including one that was well-bolted to its foundation, and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred. Trees were completely debarked and denuded, shrubs were shredded and debarked, and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and stripped down to their frames. In one instance, a well-built house was swept away, but an EF5 rating was not assigned as it was just one house and it had been struck by debris from other buildings. A large 30,000-pound (14,000 kg) metal fertilizer tank was found approximately 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) away from where it originated. Extensive ground scouring occurred as well. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Mayflower—Vilonia tornado an EF5.
Day
2014 Mayflower–Vilonia tornado – Officially rated high-end EF4, though the rating was a major source of controversy, and meteorologist/civil engineer Timothy P. Marshall noted that the rating assigned was "lower-bound" and "the possibility that EF5 winds could have occurred" despite the structural flaws responsible for the EF4 rating. Numerous homes were swept completely away with only bare slabs left, including one that was well-bolted to its foundation, and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred. Trees were completely debarked and denuded, shrubs were shredded and debarked, and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and stripped down to their frames. In one instance, a well-built house was swept away, but an EF5 rating was not assigned as it was just one house and it had been struck by debris from other buildings. A large 30,000-pound (14,000 kg) metal fertilizer tank was found approximately 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) away from where it originated. Extensive ground scouring occurred as well. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Mayflower—Vilonia tornado an EF5.
Mar 24
Mar 24
Day
Mar 24
Year
2023
Country
United States
Sub­division
Mississippi
Location
Rolling Fork, Silver City
Fata­lities
17
Rated by
NWS, NSSL, OU
2023 Rolling Fork–Silver City tornado – A violent tornado that damaged or destroyed over 78% Rolling Fork and over 96% of Silver City, with at least 300 homes sustaining damage in Rolling Fork. Following the tornado, Logan Poole, a meteorologist and damage surveyor with the National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi gave an interview regarding the tornado and why it was rated EF4 rather than EF5. In the interview, Poole stated, "The Green Apple Florist, essentially a single family home that was modified to built to be a floral shop and it is slabbed to the ground and swept clean. Why not F5? Why not EF5? And two things really stuck out to us from the consensus on why not EF5. One was this building, even though it was extremely, extremely destroyed, I mean on its own, taken out of context, I think most people would agree this would be representative of an EF5 tornado; the damage to that building...If there had even been two of these side-by-side that had suffered the same fate, then maybe we could have had more confidence on that, but we didn't...But it was, to that point that we were very very close and this is probably about as close as you'll get across that threshold, without making it". In 2025, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology published a paper to the American Meteorological Society, where they stated the Rolling Fork tornado was an "EF5 candidate" at the floral shop.
2023 Rolling Fork–Silver City tornado – A violent tornado that damaged or destroyed over 78% Rolling Fork and over 96% of Silver City, with at least 300 homes sustaining damage in Rolling Fork. Following the tornado, Logan Poole, a meteorologist and damage surveyor with the National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi gave an interview regarding the tornado and why it was rated EF4 rather than EF5. In the interview, Poole stated, "The Green Apple Florist, essentially a single family home that was modified to built to be a floral shop and it is slabbed to the ground and swept clean. Why not F5? Why not EF5? And two things really stuck out to us from the consensus on why not EF5. One was this building, even though it was extremely, extremely destroyed, I mean on its own, taken out of context, I think most people would agree this would be representative of an EF5 tornado; the damage to that building...If there had even been two of these side-by-side that had suffered the same fate, then maybe we could have had more confidence on that, but we didn't...But it was, to that point that we were very very close and this is probably about as close as you'll get across that threshold, without making it". In 2025, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology published a paper to the American Meteorological Society, where they stated the Rolling Fork tornado was an "EF5 candidate" at the floral shop.
Day
2023 Rolling Fork–Silver City tornado – A violent tornado that damaged or destroyed over 78% Rolling Fork and over 96% of Silver City, with at least 300 homes sustaining damage in Rolling Fork. Following the tornado, Logan Poole, a meteorologist and damage surveyor with the National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi gave an interview regarding the tornado and why it was rated EF4 rather than EF5. In the interview, Poole stated, "The Green Apple Florist, essentially a single family home that was modified to built to be a floral shop and it is slabbed to the ground and swept clean. Why not F5? Why not EF5? And two things really stuck out to us from the consensus on why not EF5. One was this building, even though it was extremely, extremely destroyed, I mean on its own, taken out of context, I think most people would agree this would be representative of an EF5 tornado; the damage to that building...If there had even been two of these side-by-side that had suffered the same fate, then maybe we could have had more confidence on that, but we didn't...But it was, to that point that we were very very close and this is probably about as close as you'll get across that threshold, without making it". In 2025, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology published a paper to the American Meteorological Society, where they stated the Rolling Fork tornado was an "EF5 candidate" at the floral shop.
Day
Year
Country
Sub­division
Location
Fata­lities
Rated by
Jun 17
1946
United States,Canada
Michigan,Ontario
River Rouge (MI), Windsor (ON), LaSalle (ON), Tecumseh (ON)
17
ECCC
1946 Windsor–Tecumseh tornado – This tornado was officially rated F4; however, one home had a portion of its concrete block foundation pulled out of the ground and carried away, indicating borderline F5 damage. Some victims were mutilated, dismembered or stripped of their clothes.
May 18
1951
United States
Texas
Olney
2
Grazulis
Many homes in town were destroyed, some of which were swept away with very little debris left. Grazulis called this tornado a "possible" F5.
Sep 26
1951
United States
Wisconsin
Waupaca
6
Grazulis
This tornado obliterated a trio of farmsteads. It was mentioned as a probable F5 by Grazulis.
May 22
1952
United States
Kansas
Linwood, Edwardsville
0
Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of May 21–24, 1952 – The home of a bank president was leveled. Grazulis considered the tornado to be "possibly F5."
Jun 8
1953
United States
Ohio
Cygnet
18
Grazulis
Flint–Worcester tornado outbreak sequence – Possible but unverifiable F5 damage occurred near Cygnet where homes were swept completely away. A steel-and-concrete bridge was destroyed as the tornado passed near Jerry City.
May 1
1954
United States
Texas,Oklahoma
Crowell (TX), Vernon (TX), Snyder (OK)
0
Grazulis
Vehicles were thrown more than 100 yd (91 m), and three farms were entirely swept away. Grazulis considered the tornado to be a probable F5.
Jul 2
1955
United States
North Dakota
Walcott
2
Grazulis
A photograph of a farmhouse showed possible F5 damage.
May 21
1957
United States
Missouri
Fremont, Van Buren
7
Grazulis
May 1957 Central Plains tornado outbreak sequence – Most of Fremont was destroyed, with many structures swept away. Possible F5 damage occurred to schools, homes, and businesses near the railroad tracks, but houses in the area were poorly constructed.
Jun 16
1957
Italy
Pavia
Robecco Pavese, Valle Scuropasso
7
ESSL
Many large stone buildings were flattened. The tornado is officially rated F4, but images show possible T10/low-end F5 damage.
Jun 10
1958
United States
Kansas
El Dorado
15
Grazulis
Reports indicated possible F5-level damage to homes. A car was thrown 100 yd (91 m), but damage photographs were inconclusive as to whether F5 structural damage occurred. Nevertheless, the tornado was considered to be a probable F5 by Grazulis.
Jun 6
1963
United States
South Dakota
Swett, Patricia
0
Grazulis
A church and a home literally vanished. Grazulis considered the tornado to be "possibly" F5, but it listed as only F3 in the official database.
Apr 12
1964
United States
Kansas
Lawrence
0
Grazulis
Farms were leveled and a truck was thrown 300 yd (270 m). Grazulis noted possible F5 damage.
Apr 23
1968
United States
Kentucky,Ohio
Falmouth (KY), Ripley (OH)
6
Grazulis
Tornado outbreak of April 21–24, 1968 – This tornado was mentioned as a possible F5 by Grazulis.
Jun 9
1984
Soviet Union (Russia)
Kostroma Oblast
Kostroma, Lyubim
0
Pending
1984 Soviet Union tornado outbreak – Officially rated F4, but survey mentions possible F5 damage. Trees were ripped from the ground and thrown long distances. A 350,000 kg (770,000 lb) industrial crane was blown over.
May 31
1985
United States
Pennsylvania
Parker Dam State Park, Moshannon State Forest
0
NWS
1985 United States–Canada tornado outbreak – This tornado may have been capable of producing F5 damage over rural areas.
Jul 31
1987
Canada
Alberta
Edmonton
27
ECCC
Edmonton tornado – Heavy trailers and oil tanks were tossed, and large factories were leveled. If confirmed by Environment Canada, this would make it the earliest such tornado since records have been kept, next to the 2007 Elie tornado.
Jan 7
1989
United States
Illinois
Allendale
0
Grazulis
This tornado was considered by Grazulis to be a more plausible candidate for an F5 rating than the "questionable" Oakfield tornado in 1996.
Apr 26
1991
United States
Kansas
Arkansas City, Hackney, Winfield, Tisdale
1
Grazulis
1991 Andover tornado outbreak – According to an informal survey conducted by a group of storm chasers, one home was so obliterated that the National Weather Service survey likely missed it.
Nov 29
1992
Australia
Queensland
Bucca
0
Callaghan
Bucca tornado – One of the most violent tornadoes ever to have occurred in Australia and was the first Australian tornado to be officially rated F4. The tornado flattened some houses to the ground, trees were snapped and stones were embedded into the trunks. A refrigerator was blown away and never found and a 3-ton truck was thrown 300 m (330 yd). Jeff Callaghan, a retired senior severe weather forecaster for the Bureau of Meteorology conducted a case study on this tornado and said it "was rated a F4 or possibly an F5".
Jun 8
1995
United States
Texas
Pampa
0
Grazulis
This tornado would have likely produced F5 damage had it struck residential areas. Grazulis considered the tornado a candidate for an F6 rating based on photogrammetric video analysis.
May 11
1999
United States
Texas
Loyal Valley
1
Flores, Hecke
1999 Loyal Valley tornado – Officially rated high-end F4, though one survey revealed potential F5 damage. Two homes were completely swept away, with debris scattered over great distances. Large pieces of a pickup truck were found 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) from the residence where it originated, and a 720-foot (220 m) stretch of pavement was scoured from a road. Ground scouring occurred, and numerous mesquite trees were completely denuded and debarked. A reporter who also witnessed the destruction at Jarrell, Eddie Flores, said: "I hadn't seen anything like that. I couldn't believe what it did to animals. This was wiped clean, too, but the cattle - their hides had been ripped right off of them. Some of them were missing heads, and some were caught up and entwined in barbed wire". Had this tornado touched down in an urban area, the devastation likely would have rivaled that from Oklahoma City or the storm that leveled a subdivision in Jarrell in 1997, - stated meteorologist Bill Hecke.
May 12
2004
United States
Kansas
Harper
0
Haynes
A well-built, two-story farmhouse was completely swept away with debris being very finely granulated. Trees and shrubs were completely debarked, and cars were torn apart. Chance Haynes from the NWS in Wichita, Kansas rated this tornado as F4 for its very slow movement, but later express regret over the conservative rating.
May 24
2011
United States
Oklahoma
Chickasha, Blanchard, Newcastle
1
NWS, Murayama, Velev, Zlateva
2011 Chickasha–Blanchard tornado – Officially rated a high-end EF4; however, the survey conducted by NWS Norman mentions this tornado as being a "plausible EF5". Well-built homes with anchor bolts were swept away, pavement was scoured from roads and driveways, and vehicles were thrown up to 600 yd (550 m) away, some of which were torn into multiple pieces or stripped down to their frames. Trees were reduced to completely debarked stumps, and severe ground scouring occurred, with all grass and several inches of topsoil removed in some areas. A reinforced concrete dome home was severely damaged and cracked. In 2019, Yuko Murayama, Dimiter Velev & Plamena Zlateva edited a book of revised academically peer-reviewed papers, in which they directly rated the Chickasha tornado an EF5.
Mar 2
2012
United States
Indiana, Kentucky
Fredericksburg, Henryville, Bedford
11
NWS
2012 Southern Indiana tornado – A violent stovepipe tornado (often referred to as the "Henryville Tornado") that carved a 49 mi (79 km) path of damage from Fredericksburg, Indiana to the Bedford, Kentucky area. This tornado was officially rated a low-end EF4. In 2022, the National Weather Service of Louisville referred to a possible EF5 damage location at a demolished house, where a pickup truck was blown away and never found and a backhoe was deposited into the basement of the house.
Apr 27
2014
United States
Arkansas
Mayflower, Vilonia
16
NWS, Marshall, Grazulis, Murayama, Velev, Zlateva
Tornadoes officially rated below F5/EF5/T10 or equivalent but which may have been F5/EF5/T10+ intensity · List of events › Possible F5/EF5/IF5 tornadoes › Possible F5/EF5/IF5 intensity
Jul 20
Jul 20
Day
Jul 20
Year
1931
Country
Poland
Sub­division
Lublin Voivodeship
Location
Lublin
Fata­lities
6
Rated by
ESSL
This tornado is officially rated F4; however, the Polish Weather Service estimated winds at 246 to 324 mph (396 to 521 km/h), potentially ranking it as an F5.
This tornado is officially rated F4; however, the Polish Weather Service estimated winds at 246 to 324 mph (396 to 521 km/h), potentially ranking it as an F5.
Day
This tornado is officially rated F4; however, the Polish Weather Service estimated winds at 246 to 324 mph (396 to 521 km/h), potentially ranking it as an F5.
Apr 2
Apr 2
Day
Apr 2
Year
1957
Country
United States
Sub­division
Texas
Location
Dallas
Fata­lities
10
Rated by
Segner
Tornado outbreak sequence of April 2–5, 1957 – E. Segner estimated 302 mph (486 km/h), which is based on obliteration of a large billboard.
Tornado outbreak sequence of April 2–5, 1957 – E. Segner estimated 302 mph (486 km/h), which is based on obliteration of a large billboard.
Day
Tornado outbreak sequence of April 2–5, 1957 – E. Segner estimated 302 mph (486 km/h), which is based on obliteration of a large billboard.
Aug 29
Aug 29
Day
Aug 29
Year
1969
Country
China
Sub­division
Hebei, Tianjin
Location
Bazhou, Tianjin
Fata­lities
146
Rated by
Chen
Trees were completely debarked, and numerous reinforced concrete factories were leveled. The village of Chuhegang was completely destroyed. This tornado was rated >F3, with indications of possible F4 or F5 intensity.
Trees were completely debarked, and numerous reinforced concrete factories were leveled. The village of Chuhegang was completely destroyed. This tornado was rated >F3, with indications of possible F4 or F5 intensity.
Day
Trees were completely debarked, and numerous reinforced concrete factories were leveled. The village of Chuhegang was completely destroyed. This tornado was rated >F3, with indications of possible F4 or F5 intensity.
May 24
May 24
Day
May 24
Year
1973
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Union City
Fata­lities
2
Rated by
NSSL
A carport was carried intact to the north while the rest of the house was cleanly swept away. A barn was destroyed and trees still standing were denuded, a flatbed truck rolled over, a car was stripped down to its frame. A small frame house was also completely swept away.
A carport was carried intact to the north while the rest of the house was cleanly swept away. A barn was destroyed and trees still standing were denuded, a flatbed truck rolled over, a car was stripped down to its frame. A small frame house was also completely swept away.
Day
A carport was carried intact to the north while the rest of the house was cleanly swept away. A barn was destroyed and trees still standing were denuded, a flatbed truck rolled over, a car was stripped down to its frame. A small frame house was also completely swept away.
May 27
May 27
Day
May 27
Year
1973
Country
United States
Sub­division
Alabama
Location
Greensboro, Brent, Centreville, Montevallo, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Childersburg
Fata­lities
7
Rated by
NWS, Brasher
1973 Central Alabama tornado – John Brasher, a reporter and photographer for the Centreville Press, stated that as the tornado struck Main Street in Brent, "the tornado's already violent F4 winds would ramp up to, and possibly beyond, the threshold of F5 strength". The National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama, noted the rating for this tornado was F4 on the Fujita scale, which has a wind speed range of 207 to 260 miles per hour (333 to 418 km/h). However, the wind speeds assigned to this tornado was between 210 and 261 miles per hour (338 and 420 km/h), indicating the potential that this tornado had winds up to F5 intensity.
1973 Central Alabama tornado – John Brasher, a reporter and photographer for the Centreville Press, stated that as the tornado struck Main Street in Brent, "the tornado's already violent F4 winds would ramp up to, and possibly beyond, the threshold of F5 strength". The National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama, noted the rating for this tornado was F4 on the Fujita scale, which has a wind speed range of 207 to 260 miles per hour (333 to 418 km/h). However, the wind speeds assigned to this tornado was between 210 and 261 miles per hour (338 and 420 km/h), indicating the potential that this tornado had winds up to F5 intensity.
Day
1973 Central Alabama tornado – John Brasher, a reporter and photographer for the Centreville Press, stated that as the tornado struck Main Street in Brent, "the tornado's already violent F4 winds would ramp up to, and possibly beyond, the threshold of F5 strength". The National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama, noted the rating for this tornado was F4 on the Fujita scale, which has a wind speed range of 207 to 260 miles per hour (333 to 418 km/h). However, the wind speeds assigned to this tornado was between 210 and 261 miles per hour (338 and 420 km/h), indicating the potential that this tornado had winds up to F5 intensity.
Apr 26
Apr 26
Day
Apr 26
Year
1991
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Red Rock
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Bluestein, DOW, Lyza, Flournoy, Alford
1991 Andover tornado outbreak – Mobile Doppler weather radar used by storm chasers indicated wind speeds in the range of the F5 threshold, with winds up to 268 mph (431 km/h). Pavement and ground scouring occurred, and a large oil rig was toppled. The tornado is officially rated F4, but is mentioned by some sources as an F5 or possible F5. This was reaffirmed in March 2024 by scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma which stated 120–125 metres per second (270–280 mph; 430–450 km/h) was measured between 150–190 metres (160–210 yd) off the ground.
1991 Andover tornado outbreak – Mobile Doppler weather radar used by storm chasers indicated wind speeds in the range of the F5 threshold, with winds up to 268 mph (431 km/h). Pavement and ground scouring occurred, and a large oil rig was toppled. The tornado is officially rated F4, but is mentioned by some sources as an F5 or possible F5. This was reaffirmed in March 2024 by scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma which stated 120–125 metres per second (270–280 mph; 430–450 km/h) was measured between 150–190 metres (160–210 yd) off the ground.
Day
1991 Andover tornado outbreak – Mobile Doppler weather radar used by storm chasers indicated wind speeds in the range of the F5 threshold, with winds up to 268 mph (431 km/h). Pavement and ground scouring occurred, and a large oil rig was toppled. The tornado is officially rated F4, but is mentioned by some sources as an F5 or possible F5. This was reaffirmed in March 2024 by scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma which stated 120–125 metres per second (270–280 mph; 430–450 km/h) was measured between 150–190 metres (160–210 yd) off the ground.
May 30
May 30
Day
May 30
Year
1998
Country
United States
Sub­division
South Dakota
Location
Spencer
Fata­lities
6
Rated by
Wurman, DOW, Lyza, Flournoy, Alford
Late-May 1998 tornado outbreak and derecho – DOW recorded maximum wind speeds at 264 mph (425 km/h) at 160 ft (49 m) above ground level, which the NWS classified at almost ground level. Such wind speeds would fall well into the EF5 range on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, though the maximum damage intensity observed in the town of Spencer was F4. The town's water tower was toppled to the ground, an apartment building was leveled, and many homes were completely destroyed, a few of which were swept away. This was reaffirmed in 2024 after Anthony W. Lyza, Matthew D. Flournoy, and A. Addison Alford, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Storm Prediction Center, CIWRO, and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology, published a paper stating the radar "showed a broad swath" of wind speeds in the F4 to minimal F5 range. They went on to say, "However, no F5/EF5 damage was observed, despite winds observed well into the EF5 range".
Late-May 1998 tornado outbreak and derecho – DOW recorded maximum wind speeds at 264 mph (425 km/h) at 160 ft (49 m) above ground level, which the NWS classified at almost ground level. Such wind speeds would fall well into the EF5 range on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, though the maximum damage intensity observed in the town of Spencer was F4. The town's water tower was toppled to the ground, an apartment building was leveled, and many homes were completely destroyed, a few of which were swept away. This was reaffirmed in 2024 after Anthony W. Lyza, Matthew D. Flournoy, and A. Addison Alford, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Storm Prediction Center, CIWRO, and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology, published a paper stating the radar "showed a broad swath" of wind speeds in the F4 to minimal F5 range. They went on to say, "However, no F5/EF5 damage was observed, despite winds observed well into the EF5 range".
Day
Late-May 1998 tornado outbreak and derecho – DOW recorded maximum wind speeds at 264 mph (425 km/h) at 160 ft (49 m) above ground level, which the NWS classified at almost ground level. Such wind speeds would fall well into the EF5 range on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, though the maximum damage intensity observed in the town of Spencer was F4. The town's water tower was toppled to the ground, an apartment building was leveled, and many homes were completely destroyed, a few of which were swept away. This was reaffirmed in 2024 after Anthony W. Lyza, Matthew D. Flournoy, and A. Addison Alford, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Storm Prediction Center, CIWRO, and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology, published a paper stating the radar "showed a broad swath" of wind speeds in the F4 to minimal F5 range. They went on to say, "However, no F5/EF5 damage was observed, despite winds observed well into the EF5 range".
May 3
May 3
Day
May 3
Year
1999
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Mulhall
Fata­lities
2
Rated by
Lyza, Flournoy, Alford
1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak – In March 2024, Anthony W. Lyza, Matthew D. Flournoy, and A. Addison Alford, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Storm Prediction Center, CIWRO, and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology, published a paper stating 115 metres per second (260 mph; 410 km/h) was measured in the tornado only 30 metres (33 yd) off the ground.
1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak – In March 2024, Anthony W. Lyza, Matthew D. Flournoy, and A. Addison Alford, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Storm Prediction Center, CIWRO, and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology, published a paper stating 115 metres per second (260 mph; 410 km/h) was measured in the tornado only 30 metres (33 yd) off the ground.
Day
1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak – In March 2024, Anthony W. Lyza, Matthew D. Flournoy, and A. Addison Alford, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Storm Prediction Center, CIWRO, and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology, published a paper stating 115 metres per second (260 mph; 410 km/h) was measured in the tornado only 30 metres (33 yd) off the ground.
April 27
April 27
Day
April 27
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Tennessee
Location
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Godfrey, Peterson
2011 Super Outbreak – This tornado was originally rated EF4 due to the collapse of a metal truss tower. However, the "incredible" tree damage it produced, namely knocking down almost 100% of trees in several 100x100 meter subplots, indicates EF5 intensity according to a study that aimed to estimate EF levels based on forest damage.
2011 Super Outbreak – This tornado was originally rated EF4 due to the collapse of a metal truss tower. However, the "incredible" tree damage it produced, namely knocking down almost 100% of trees in several 100x100 meter subplots, indicates EF5 intensity according to a study that aimed to estimate EF levels based on forest damage.
Day
2011 Super Outbreak – This tornado was originally rated EF4 due to the collapse of a metal truss tower. However, the "incredible" tree damage it produced, namely knocking down almost 100% of trees in several 100x100 meter subplots, indicates EF5 intensity according to a study that aimed to estimate EF levels based on forest damage.
April 27
April 27
Day
April 27
Year
2011
Country
United States
Sub­division
Georgia
Location
Chattahoochee National Forest
Fata­lities
1
Rated by
Godfrey, Peterson
2011 Super Outbreak – Another tornado from the same study was outlined as producing EF5-level forest damage. It tracked through forests for much of its lifespan, although it was officially rated EF3 due to damage to a few buildings near the very end of its track.
2011 Super Outbreak – Another tornado from the same study was outlined as producing EF5-level forest damage. It tracked through forests for much of its lifespan, although it was officially rated EF3 due to damage to a few buildings near the very end of its track.
Day
2011 Super Outbreak – Another tornado from the same study was outlined as producing EF5-level forest damage. It tracked through forests for much of its lifespan, although it was officially rated EF3 due to damage to a few buildings near the very end of its track.
May 28
May 28
Day
May 28
Year
2013
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Bennington
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
The Weather Channel, DOW, Wurman, Kosiba, Robinson, Marshall
Tornado outbreak of May 26–31, 2013 – Officially rated EF3. However, a DOW instrument estimated winds inside the tornado at 247 mph (398 km/h), 300 ft (91 m) above the ground. According to the Joshua Wurman, Karen Kosiba, Paul Robinson, and Tim Marshall in their research, the DOW windspeed measurements were found to be 264 mph (425 km/h), 153 ft (47 m) above the ground.
Tornado outbreak of May 26–31, 2013 – Officially rated EF3. However, a DOW instrument estimated winds inside the tornado at 247 mph (398 km/h), 300 ft (91 m) above the ground. According to the Joshua Wurman, Karen Kosiba, Paul Robinson, and Tim Marshall in their research, the DOW windspeed measurements were found to be 264 mph (425 km/h), 153 ft (47 m) above the ground.
Day
Tornado outbreak of May 26–31, 2013 – Officially rated EF3. However, a DOW instrument estimated winds inside the tornado at 247 mph (398 km/h), 300 ft (91 m) above the ground. According to the Joshua Wurman, Karen Kosiba, Paul Robinson, and Tim Marshall in their research, the DOW windspeed measurements were found to be 264 mph (425 km/h), 153 ft (47 m) above the ground.
May 9
May 9
Day
May 9
Year
2016
Country
United States
Sub­division
Oklahoma
Location
Sulphur
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
NWS, Marshall
Tornado outbreak of May 7–10, 2016 – This tornado was recorded to have attained 218 mph winds in an open field by RaXPol mobile radar. This would have been sufficient to produce EF5 damage had the tornado impacted any substantial structures during this time period. Several homes were swept away at high-end EF3 strength, and many other outbuildings were destroyed as well. A large metal storage garage was swept away, with vehicles stored inside being thrown up to 280 yards away. An 18-year old and his cousin were able to survive the tornado by taking shelter in an interior bathroom, which was the only standing section of the house after the tornado had impacted it.
Tornado outbreak of May 7–10, 2016 – This tornado was recorded to have attained 218 mph winds in an open field by RaXPol mobile radar. This would have been sufficient to produce EF5 damage had the tornado impacted any substantial structures during this time period. Several homes were swept away at high-end EF3 strength, and many other outbuildings were destroyed as well. A large metal storage garage was swept away, with vehicles stored inside being thrown up to 280 yards away. An 18-year old and his cousin were able to survive the tornado by taking shelter in an interior bathroom, which was the only standing section of the house after the tornado had impacted it.
Day
Tornado outbreak of May 7–10, 2016 – This tornado was recorded to have attained 218 mph winds in an open field by RaXPol mobile radar. This would have been sufficient to produce EF5 damage had the tornado impacted any substantial structures during this time period. Several homes were swept away at high-end EF3 strength, and many other outbuildings were destroyed as well. A large metal storage garage was swept away, with vehicles stored inside being thrown up to 280 yards away. An 18-year old and his cousin were able to survive the tornado by taking shelter in an interior bathroom, which was the only standing section of the house after the tornado had impacted it.
May 24
May 24
Day
May 24
Year
2016
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Dodge City
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
NCEI, CSWR, DOW
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 22–26, 2016 – During the initial stages of development, there was DOW data on this tornado. It intensified from 40 metres per second (89 mph; 140 km/h) to 90 metres per second (201 mph; 320 km/h) in a span of 21 seconds that lasted less than a minute at those velocities. This would have been enough to produce EF5 damage briefly, based on those velocities. As the tornado moved north into a housing addition just west of Dodge City, it showed multiple vortex characteristics and did EF2 damage. One person was seriously hurt in a home that was heavily damaged.
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 22–26, 2016 – During the initial stages of development, there was DOW data on this tornado. It intensified from 40 metres per second (89 mph; 140 km/h) to 90 metres per second (201 mph; 320 km/h) in a span of 21 seconds that lasted less than a minute at those velocities. This would have been enough to produce EF5 damage briefly, based on those velocities. As the tornado moved north into a housing addition just west of Dodge City, it showed multiple vortex characteristics and did EF2 damage. One person was seriously hurt in a home that was heavily damaged.
Day
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 22–26, 2016 – During the initial stages of development, there was DOW data on this tornado. It intensified from 40 metres per second (89 mph; 140 km/h) to 90 metres per second (201 mph; 320 km/h) in a span of 21 seconds that lasted less than a minute at those velocities. This would have been enough to produce EF5 damage briefly, based on those velocities. As the tornado moved north into a housing addition just west of Dodge City, it showed multiple vortex characteristics and did EF2 damage. One person was seriously hurt in a home that was heavily damaged.
May 25
May 25
Day
May 25
Year
2016
Country
United States
Sub­division
Kansas
Location
Solomon, Abilene, Chapman
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
NWS
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 22–26, 2016 – An anchor-bolted brick farm home was swept away and was ripped from its foundation so violently that part of the foundation was severely cracked, though the area surrounding the home was not swept completely clean. Vehicles and large pieces of farm machinery were thrown and mangled beyond recognition, and a section of metal railroad track was bent horizontally by the tornado. Officially rated EF4 with winds of 180 mph (290 km/h), though NWS Topeka damage surveyors later noted that based on the severity of the damage in rural areas, it "could have very well been" rated EF5 had it struck Chapman directly.
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 22–26, 2016 – An anchor-bolted brick farm home was swept away and was ripped from its foundation so violently that part of the foundation was severely cracked, though the area surrounding the home was not swept completely clean. Vehicles and large pieces of farm machinery were thrown and mangled beyond recognition, and a section of metal railroad track was bent horizontally by the tornado. Officially rated EF4 with winds of 180 mph (290 km/h), though NWS Topeka damage surveyors later noted that based on the severity of the damage in rural areas, it "could have very well been" rated EF5 had it struck Chapman directly.
Day
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 22–26, 2016 – An anchor-bolted brick farm home was swept away and was ripped from its foundation so violently that part of the foundation was severely cracked, though the area surrounding the home was not swept completely clean. Vehicles and large pieces of farm machinery were thrown and mangled beyond recognition, and a section of metal railroad track was bent horizontally by the tornado. Officially rated EF4 with winds of 180 mph (290 km/h), though NWS Topeka damage surveyors later noted that based on the severity of the damage in rural areas, it "could have very well been" rated EF5 had it struck Chapman directly.
Jun 18
Jun 18
Day
Jun 18
Year
2017
Country
Russia
Sub­division
Kurgan Oblast
Location
Maloye Pes'yanovo
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Chernokulsky, Shikhov, Bykov, Azhigov
The tornado was strong enough to be rated IF4 on the International Fujita scale and F4 on the Fujita scale. Two log homes were leveled to the ground. Researchers at the Russian Academy of Sciences and Perm State University published a paper in the academically peer-reviewed journal Atmosphere, providing an assessment of this tornado in which they state that the tornado possessed EF5 intensity, due to it blowing down or snapping 100% of the trees in a 100-by-100-meter (110 yd) forested area.
The tornado was strong enough to be rated IF4 on the International Fujita scale and F4 on the Fujita scale. Two log homes were leveled to the ground. Researchers at the Russian Academy of Sciences and Perm State University published a paper in the academically peer-reviewed journal Atmosphere, providing an assessment of this tornado in which they state that the tornado possessed EF5 intensity, due to it blowing down or snapping 100% of the trees in a 100-by-100-meter (110 yd) forested area.
Day
The tornado was strong enough to be rated IF4 on the International Fujita scale and F4 on the Fujita scale. Two log homes were leveled to the ground. Researchers at the Russian Academy of Sciences and Perm State University published a paper in the academically peer-reviewed journal Atmosphere, providing an assessment of this tornado in which they state that the tornado possessed EF5 intensity, due to it blowing down or snapping 100% of the trees in a 100-by-100-meter (110 yd) forested area.
Aug 3
Aug 3
Day
Aug 3
Year
2018
Country
Canada
Sub­division
Manitoba
Location
Alonsa, Silver Ridge
Fata­lities
1
Rated by
Northern Tornadoes Project
Tornadoes of 2018 – Rated EF4, with maximum windspeeds in the EF5 range. A later study, also by the Northern Tornadoes Project, determined that the tornado lofted haybales into Lake Manitoba, which they estimated required winds between 87.9 m/s (197 mph) and 127 m/s (280 mph).
Tornadoes of 2018 – Rated EF4, with maximum windspeeds in the EF5 range. A later study, also by the Northern Tornadoes Project, determined that the tornado lofted haybales into Lake Manitoba, which they estimated required winds between 87.9 m/s (197 mph) and 127 m/s (280 mph).
Day
Tornadoes of 2018 – Rated EF4, with maximum windspeeds in the EF5 range. A later study, also by the Northern Tornadoes Project, determined that the tornado lofted haybales into Lake Manitoba, which they estimated required winds between 87.9 m/s (197 mph) and 127 m/s (280 mph).
Apr 13
Apr 13
Day
Apr 13
Year
2019
Country
United States
Sub­division
Mississippi
Location
Greenwood Springs
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Lyza, Goudeau, Knupp
Tornado outbreak of April 13–15, 2019 – This tornado was officially rated EF2, based on an incomplete damage survey from the National Weather Service, where 8.7 miles (14 km) of the tornado's track was unable to be officially surveyed. A NEXRAD radar only 980 yards (900 m) away from the tornado documented radial velocities of up to 182 mph (293 km/h). A research team, from the University of Oklahoma, National Severe Storms Laboratory, and University of Alabama in Huntsville was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to investigate the unsurveyed portion of the tornado track. In their survey, published in Monthly Weather Review, they note that the tornado "produced forest devastation and electrical infrastructure damage up to at least EF4 intensity" and conclude by writing that "the Greenwood Springs event was a violent tornado, potentially even EF5 intensity."
Tornado outbreak of April 13–15, 2019 – This tornado was officially rated EF2, based on an incomplete damage survey from the National Weather Service, where 8.7 miles (14 km) of the tornado's track was unable to be officially surveyed. A NEXRAD radar only 980 yards (900 m) away from the tornado documented radial velocities of up to 182 mph (293 km/h). A research team, from the University of Oklahoma, National Severe Storms Laboratory, and University of Alabama in Huntsville was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to investigate the unsurveyed portion of the tornado track. In their survey, published in Monthly Weather Review, they note that the tornado "produced forest devastation and electrical infrastructure damage up to at least EF4 intensity" and conclude by writing that "the Greenwood Springs event was a violent tornado, potentially even EF5 intensity."
Day
Tornado outbreak of April 13–15, 2019 – This tornado was officially rated EF2, based on an incomplete damage survey from the National Weather Service, where 8.7 miles (14 km) of the tornado's track was unable to be officially surveyed. A NEXRAD radar only 980 yards (900 m) away from the tornado documented radial velocities of up to 182 mph (293 km/h). A research team, from the University of Oklahoma, National Severe Storms Laboratory, and University of Alabama in Huntsville was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to investigate the unsurveyed portion of the tornado track. In their survey, published in Monthly Weather Review, they note that the tornado "produced forest devastation and electrical infrastructure damage up to at least EF4 intensity" and conclude by writing that "the Greenwood Springs event was a violent tornado, potentially even EF5 intensity."
Aug 7
Aug 7
Day
Aug 7
Year
2020
Country
Canada
Sub­division
Manitoba
Location
Scarth
Fata­lities
2
Rated by
Northern Tornadoes Project
Tornadoes of 2020 – A photogenic tornado, rated EF3, was determined to have likely lofted two vehicles over 1 meter into the air and between 30 and 100 meters laterally. Researchers with the Northern Tornadoes Project found a median wind speed of 110 m/s (250 mph) would be required to achieve this, well above the criteria for EF5 intensity.
Tornadoes of 2020 – A photogenic tornado, rated EF3, was determined to have likely lofted two vehicles over 1 meter into the air and between 30 and 100 meters laterally. Researchers with the Northern Tornadoes Project found a median wind speed of 110 m/s (250 mph) would be required to achieve this, well above the criteria for EF5 intensity.
Day
Tornadoes of 2020 – A photogenic tornado, rated EF3, was determined to have likely lofted two vehicles over 1 meter into the air and between 30 and 100 meters laterally. Researchers with the Northern Tornadoes Project found a median wind speed of 110 m/s (250 mph) would be required to achieve this, well above the criteria for EF5 intensity.
Dec 10
Dec 10
Day
Dec 10
Year
2021
Country
United States
Sub­division
Tennessee, Kentucky
Location
Woodland Mills, Cayce, Mayfield, Princeton, Dawson Springs, Bremen, McDaniels
Fata­lities
57
Rated by
Marshall, Wienhoff, Smith, Wielgos
2021 Western Kentucky tornado – A long-tracked wedge spawned by the Quad-State supercell, that damaged, destroyed, or obliterated thousands of structures along a path of 165.6 mi (266.5 km) while moving at 60 mph (97 km/h). In 2022, Timothy Marshall, a meteorologist, and structural and forensic engineer, Christine L. Wielgos, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Paducah, & Brian E. Smith, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Omaha, published a damage survey of portions of the tornado's track, particularly through Mayfield and Dawson Springs. At the end of the report, they said, "the tornado damage rating might have been higher had more wind resistant structures been encountered. Also, the fast forward speed of the tornado had little 'dwell' time of strong winds over a building and thus, the damage likely would have been more severe if the tornado were slower".
2021 Western Kentucky tornado – A long-tracked wedge spawned by the Quad-State supercell, that damaged, destroyed, or obliterated thousands of structures along a path of 165.6 mi (266.5 km) while moving at 60 mph (97 km/h). In 2022, Timothy Marshall, a meteorologist, and structural and forensic engineer, Christine L. Wielgos, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Paducah, & Brian E. Smith, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Omaha, published a damage survey of portions of the tornado's track, particularly through Mayfield and Dawson Springs. At the end of the report, they said, "the tornado damage rating might have been higher had more wind resistant structures been encountered. Also, the fast forward speed of the tornado had little 'dwell' time of strong winds over a building and thus, the damage likely would have been more severe if the tornado were slower".
Day
2021 Western Kentucky tornado – A long-tracked wedge spawned by the Quad-State supercell, that damaged, destroyed, or obliterated thousands of structures along a path of 165.6 mi (266.5 km) while moving at 60 mph (97 km/h). In 2022, Timothy Marshall, a meteorologist, and structural and forensic engineer, Christine L. Wielgos, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Paducah, & Brian E. Smith, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Omaha, published a damage survey of portions of the tornado's track, particularly through Mayfield and Dawson Springs. At the end of the report, they said, "the tornado damage rating might have been higher had more wind resistant structures been encountered. Also, the fast forward speed of the tornado had little 'dwell' time of strong winds over a building and thus, the damage likely would have been more severe if the tornado were slower".
July 1
July 1
Day
July 1
Year
2023
Country
Canada
Sub­division
Alberta
Location
Didsbury
Fata­lities
0
Rated by
Northern Tornadoes Project
Tornadoes of 2023 – This EF4 tornado moved a combine harvester 80 to 100 meters from its original position. Researchers with the Northern Tornadoes Project determined the harvester was likely lofted roughly 1.26 meters into the air, with median estimated winds of 118 m/s (260 mph), above EF5 criteria.
Tornadoes of 2023 – This EF4 tornado moved a combine harvester 80 to 100 meters from its original position. Researchers with the Northern Tornadoes Project determined the harvester was likely lofted roughly 1.26 meters into the air, with median estimated winds of 118 m/s (260 mph), above EF5 criteria.
Day
Tornadoes of 2023 – This EF4 tornado moved a combine harvester 80 to 100 meters from its original position. Researchers with the Northern Tornadoes Project determined the harvester was likely lofted roughly 1.26 meters into the air, with median estimated winds of 118 m/s (260 mph), above EF5 criteria.
May 21
May 21
Day
May 21
Year
2024
Country
United States
Sub­division
Iowa
Location
Greenfield
Fata­lities
5
Rated by
DOW
Greenfield tornado – A DOW positioned just east of Greenfield measured wind velocities of 263–271 mph (423–436 km/h) in a narrow region on the right side of the tornado as it passed through town. These velocities were later estimated to have been 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h) at ground level, among the highest winds ever determined using DOW data and well above EF5 criteria. Given the tornado's small size and fast forward speed as it passed through Greenfield, these peak wind speeds were likely experienced in less than a second at specific locations in its path.
Greenfield tornado – A DOW positioned just east of Greenfield measured wind velocities of 263–271 mph (423–436 km/h) in a narrow region on the right side of the tornado as it passed through town. These velocities were later estimated to have been 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h) at ground level, among the highest winds ever determined using DOW data and well above EF5 criteria. Given the tornado's small size and fast forward speed as it passed through Greenfield, these peak wind speeds were likely experienced in less than a second at specific locations in its path.
Day
Greenfield tornado – A DOW positioned just east of Greenfield measured wind velocities of 263–271 mph (423–436 km/h) in a narrow region on the right side of the tornado as it passed through town. These velocities were later estimated to have been 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h) at ground level, among the highest winds ever determined using DOW data and well above EF5 criteria. Given the tornado's small size and fast forward speed as it passed through Greenfield, these peak wind speeds were likely experienced in less than a second at specific locations in its path.
Day
Year
Country
Sub­division
Location
Fata­lities
Rated by
Jul 20
1931
Poland
Lublin Voivodeship
Lublin
6
ESSL
This tornado is officially rated F4; however, the Polish Weather Service estimated winds at 246 to 324 mph (396 to 521 km/h), potentially ranking it as an F5.
Apr 2
1957
United States
Texas
Dallas
10
Segner
Tornado outbreak sequence of April 2–5, 1957 – E. Segner estimated 302 mph (486 km/h), which is based on obliteration of a large billboard.
Aug 29
1969
China
Hebei, Tianjin
Bazhou, Tianjin
146
Chen
Trees were completely debarked, and numerous reinforced concrete factories were leveled. The village of Chuhegang was completely destroyed. This tornado was rated >F3, with indications of possible F4 or F5 intensity.
May 24
1973
United States
Oklahoma
Union City
2
NSSL
A carport was carried intact to the north while the rest of the house was cleanly swept away. A barn was destroyed and trees still standing were denuded, a flatbed truck rolled over, a car was stripped down to its frame. A small frame house was also completely swept away.
May 27
1973
United States
Alabama
Greensboro, Brent, Centreville, Montevallo, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Childersburg
7
NWS, Brasher
1973 Central Alabama tornado – John Brasher, a reporter and photographer for the Centreville Press, stated that as the tornado struck Main Street in Brent, "the tornado's already violent F4 winds would ramp up to, and possibly beyond, the threshold of F5 strength". The National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama, noted the rating for this tornado was F4 on the Fujita scale, which has a wind speed range of 207 to 260 miles per hour (333 to 418 km/h). However, the wind speeds assigned to this tornado was between 210 and 261 miles per hour (338 and 420 km/h), indicating the potential that this tornado had winds up to F5 intensity.
Apr 26
1991
United States
Oklahoma
Red Rock
0
Bluestein, DOW, Lyza, Flournoy, Alford
1991 Andover tornado outbreak – Mobile Doppler weather radar used by storm chasers indicated wind speeds in the range of the F5 threshold, with winds up to 268 mph (431 km/h). Pavement and ground scouring occurred, and a large oil rig was toppled. The tornado is officially rated F4, but is mentioned by some sources as an F5 or possible F5. This was reaffirmed in March 2024 by scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma which stated 120–125 metres per second (270–280 mph; 430–450 km/h) was measured between 150–190 metres (160–210 yd) off the ground.
May 30
1998
United States
South Dakota
Spencer
6
Wurman, DOW, Lyza, Flournoy, Alford
Late-May 1998 tornado outbreak and derecho – DOW recorded maximum wind speeds at 264 mph (425 km/h) at 160 ft (49 m) above ground level, which the NWS classified at almost ground level. Such wind speeds would fall well into the EF5 range on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, though the maximum damage intensity observed in the town of Spencer was F4. The town's water tower was toppled to the ground, an apartment building was leveled, and many homes were completely destroyed, a few of which were swept away. This was reaffirmed in 2024 after Anthony W. Lyza, Matthew D. Flournoy, and A. Addison Alford, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Storm Prediction Center, CIWRO, and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology, published a paper stating the radar "showed a broad swath" of wind speeds in the F4 to minimal F5 range. They went on to say, "However, no F5/EF5 damage was observed, despite winds observed well into the EF5 range".
May 3
1999
United States
Oklahoma
Mulhall
2
Lyza, Flournoy, Alford
1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak – In March 2024, Anthony W. Lyza, Matthew D. Flournoy, and A. Addison Alford, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Storm Prediction Center, CIWRO, and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology, published a paper stating 115 metres per second (260 mph; 410 km/h) was measured in the tornado only 30 metres (33 yd) off the ground.
April 27
2011
United States
Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
0
Godfrey, Peterson
2011 Super Outbreak – This tornado was originally rated EF4 due to the collapse of a metal truss tower. However, the "incredible" tree damage it produced, namely knocking down almost 100% of trees in several 100x100 meter subplots, indicates EF5 intensity according to a study that aimed to estimate EF levels based on forest damage.
April 27
2011
United States
Georgia
Chattahoochee National Forest
1
Godfrey, Peterson
2011 Super Outbreak – Another tornado from the same study was outlined as producing EF5-level forest damage. It tracked through forests for much of its lifespan, although it was officially rated EF3 due to damage to a few buildings near the very end of its track.
May 28
2013
United States
Kansas
Bennington
0
The Weather Channel, DOW, Wurman, Kosiba, Robinson, Marshall
Tornado outbreak of May 26–31, 2013 – Officially rated EF3. However, a DOW instrument estimated winds inside the tornado at 247 mph (398 km/h), 300 ft (91 m) above the ground. According to the Joshua Wurman, Karen Kosiba, Paul Robinson, and Tim Marshall in their research, the DOW windspeed measurements were found to be 264 mph (425 km/h), 153 ft (47 m) above the ground.
May 9
2016
United States
Oklahoma
Sulphur
0
NWS, Marshall
Tornado outbreak of May 7–10, 2016 – This tornado was recorded to have attained 218 mph winds in an open field by RaXPol mobile radar. This would have been sufficient to produce EF5 damage had the tornado impacted any substantial structures during this time period. Several homes were swept away at high-end EF3 strength, and many other outbuildings were destroyed as well. A large metal storage garage was swept away, with vehicles stored inside being thrown up to 280 yards away. An 18-year old and his cousin were able to survive the tornado by taking shelter in an interior bathroom, which was the only standing section of the house after the tornado had impacted it.
May 24
2016
United States
Kansas
Dodge City
0
NCEI, CSWR, DOW
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 22–26, 2016 – During the initial stages of development, there was DOW data on this tornado. It intensified from 40 metres per second (89 mph; 140 km/h) to 90 metres per second (201 mph; 320 km/h) in a span of 21 seconds that lasted less than a minute at those velocities. This would have been enough to produce EF5 damage briefly, based on those velocities. As the tornado moved north into a housing addition just west of Dodge City, it showed multiple vortex characteristics and did EF2 damage. One person was seriously hurt in a home that was heavily damaged.
May 25
2016
United States
Kansas
Solomon, Abilene, Chapman
0
NWS
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 22–26, 2016 – An anchor-bolted brick farm home was swept away and was ripped from its foundation so violently that part of the foundation was severely cracked, though the area surrounding the home was not swept completely clean. Vehicles and large pieces of farm machinery were thrown and mangled beyond recognition, and a section of metal railroad track was bent horizontally by the tornado. Officially rated EF4 with winds of 180 mph (290 km/h), though NWS Topeka damage surveyors later noted that based on the severity of the damage in rural areas, it "could have very well been" rated EF5 had it struck Chapman directly.
Jun 18
2017
Russia
Kurgan Oblast
Maloye Pes'yanovo
0
Chernokulsky, Shikhov, Bykov, Azhigov
The tornado was strong enough to be rated IF4 on the International Fujita scale and F4 on the Fujita scale. Two log homes were leveled to the ground. Researchers at the Russian Academy of Sciences and Perm State University published a paper in the academically peer-reviewed journal Atmosphere, providing an assessment of this tornado in which they state that the tornado possessed EF5 intensity, due to it blowing down or snapping 100% of the trees in a 100-by-100-meter (110 yd) forested area.
Aug 3
2018
Canada
Manitoba
Alonsa, Silver Ridge
1
Northern Tornadoes Project
Tornadoes of 2018 – Rated EF4, with maximum windspeeds in the EF5 range. A later study, also by the Northern Tornadoes Project, determined that the tornado lofted haybales into Lake Manitoba, which they estimated required winds between 87.9 m/s (197 mph) and 127 m/s (280 mph).
Apr 13
2019
United States
Mississippi
Greenwood Springs
0
Lyza, Goudeau, Knupp
Tornado outbreak of April 13–15, 2019 – This tornado was officially rated EF2, based on an incomplete damage survey from the National Weather Service, where 8.7 miles (14 km) of the tornado's track was unable to be officially surveyed. A NEXRAD radar only 980 yards (900 m) away from the tornado documented radial velocities of up to 182 mph (293 km/h). A research team, from the University of Oklahoma, National Severe Storms Laboratory, and University of Alabama in Huntsville was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to investigate the unsurveyed portion of the tornado track. In their survey, published in Monthly Weather Review, they note that the tornado "produced forest devastation and electrical infrastructure damage up to at least EF4 intensity" and conclude by writing that "the Greenwood Springs event was a violent tornado, potentially even EF5 intensity."
Aug 7
2020
Canada
Manitoba
Scarth
2
Northern Tornadoes Project
Tornadoes of 2020 – A photogenic tornado, rated EF3, was determined to have likely lofted two vehicles over 1 meter into the air and between 30 and 100 meters laterally. Researchers with the Northern Tornadoes Project found a median wind speed of 110 m/s (250 mph) would be required to achieve this, well above the criteria for EF5 intensity.
Dec 10
2021
United States
Tennessee, Kentucky
Woodland Mills, Cayce, Mayfield, Princeton, Dawson Springs, Bremen, McDaniels
57
Marshall, Wienhoff, Smith, Wielgos
2021 Western Kentucky tornado – A long-tracked wedge spawned by the Quad-State supercell, that damaged, destroyed, or obliterated thousands of structures along a path of 165.6 mi (266.5 km) while moving at 60 mph (97 km/h). In 2022, Timothy Marshall, a meteorologist, and structural and forensic engineer, Christine L. Wielgos, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Paducah, & Brian E. Smith, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Omaha, published a damage survey of portions of the tornado's track, particularly through Mayfield and Dawson Springs. At the end of the report, they said, "the tornado damage rating might have been higher had more wind resistant structures been encountered. Also, the fast forward speed of the tornado had little 'dwell' time of strong winds over a building and thus, the damage likely would have been more severe if the tornado were slower".
July 1
2023
Canada
Alberta
Didsbury
0
Northern Tornadoes Project
Tornadoes of 2023 – This EF4 tornado moved a combine harvester 80 to 100 meters from its original position. Researchers with the Northern Tornadoes Project determined the harvester was likely lofted roughly 1.26 meters into the air, with median estimated winds of 118 m/s (260 mph), above EF5 criteria.
May 21
2024
United States
Iowa
Greenfield
5
DOW
Greenfield tornado – A DOW positioned just east of Greenfield measured wind velocities of 263–271 mph (423–436 km/h) in a narrow region on the right side of the tornado as it passed through town. These velocities were later estimated to have been 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h) at ground level, among the highest winds ever determined using DOW data and well above EF5 criteria. Given the tornado's small size and fast forward speed as it passed through Greenfield, these peak wind speeds were likely experienced in less than a second at specific locations in its path.
Tornadoes with no official rating, but were possibly F5/EF5/IF5 · List of events › Possible F5/EF5/IF5 tornadoes › Possible F5/EF5/IF5 tornadoes with no official rating
Apr 24
Apr 24
Day
Apr 24
Year
1880
Country
United States
Subdivision
Illinois
Location
West Prairie, Christian County
Fatalities
6
Notes
Many "well built" homes were leveled and farms vanished. Its victims (both people and cattle) were reportedly carried up to half a mile. This is the earliest estimated F5 that can be verified in the U.S. according to Grazulis. (The 1953 Waco tornado is the earliest officially rated - see section.) The F5 rating is widely accepted.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 12
Jun 12
Day
Jun 12
Year
1881
Country
United States
Subdivision
Missouri
Location
Hopkins
Fatalities
2
Notes
Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Two farms were completely swept away. May have reached F5 intensity according to Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
Jul 15
Jul 15
Day
Jul 15
Year
1881
Country
United States
Subdivision
Minnesota
Location
Renville County
Fatalities
20
Notes
1881 Minnesota tornado outbreak – According to Grazulis, this tornado was "probably" an F5. Severe damage occurred in Renville County where five farms were completely swept away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Jun 17
Jun 17
Day
Jun 17
Year
1882
Country
United States
Subdivision
Iowa
Location
Grinnell
Fatalities
68
Notes
1882 Grinnell tornado – Sixteen farms were blown away and the town of Grinnell was devastated, as well as the Grinnell College campus. Debris was carried 100 mi (160 km). Caused 68 fatalities according to Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Aug 21
Aug 21
Day
Aug 21
Year
1883
Country
United States
Subdivision
Minnesota
Location
Rochester
Fatalities
37
Notes
1883 Rochester tornado – Numerous homes in Rochester were destroyed, some of which were oblitereted and swept away with the debris finely granulated. Trees were completely debarked, and grass and shrubbery was scoured from the ground. A large metal railroad bridge was completely destroyed and mangled. At least 10 farms outside the city were also completely leveled and swept away, with little debris recovered at some of them.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, Grazulis
Apr 1
Apr 1
Day
Apr 1
Year
1884
Country
United States
Subdivision
Indiana
Location
Oakville
Fatalities
8
Notes
Among contemporary meteorologists, this was considered one of the most intense tornadoes observed up to that time. Parts of Oakville "vanished," with house debris scattered for miles.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 15
Jun 15
Day
Jun 15
Year
1892
Country
United States
Subdivision
Minnesota
Location
Faribault County, Freeborn County, Steele County
Fatalities
12
Notes
1892 Southern Minnesota tornado – Entire farms were obliterated, and house timbers were embedded into the ground 3 mi (4.8 km) away from the foundations.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
May 22
May 22
Day
May 22
Year
1893
Country
United States
Subdivision
Wisconsin
Location
Willow Springs
Fatalities
3
Notes
Two farm complexes were completely swept away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
Jul 6
Jul 6
Day
Jul 6
Year
1893
Country
United States
Subdivision
Iowa
Location
Pomeroy
Fatalities
71
Notes
Well-built homes were swept away in four counties with F5 damage in the town of Pomeroy. Grass was scoured from the ground, and a metal bridge was torn from its supports. A well pump and 40 ft (12 m) of piping were pulled out of the ground.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Sep 21
Sep 21
Day
Sep 21
Year
1894
Country
United States
Subdivision
Iowa
Location
Kossuth County
Fatalities
43
Notes
Five farms and a home were swept away, leaving little trace.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 1
May 1
Day
May 1
Year
1895
Country
United States
Subdivision
Kansas
Location
Harvey County
Fatalities
8
Notes
Farms "entirely vanished," with debris carried for miles.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 3
May 3
Day
May 3
Year
1895
Country
United States
Subdivision
Iowa
Location
Sioux County
Fatalities
9
Notes
Farms were swept away, with debris carried for miles.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, Grazulis
May 15
May 15
Day
May 15
Year
1896
Country
United States
Subdivision
Texas
Location
Sherman
Fatalities
73
Notes
1896 Sherman, Texas Tornado – This was one of the most intense tornadoes of the 19th century according to Grazulis. "Extraordinary" damage occurred to farms and 20 homes that were obliterated and swept away. An iron-beam bridge was torn apart and scattered, with one of the beams deeply embedded into the ground. Trees were reduced to debarked stumps, and grass was scoured from lawns in town as well. Several headstones at a cemetery were shattered or thrown up to 250 yards through the air, and a trunk lid from Sherman was found 35 miles away. Reliable reports said that numerous bodies were carried hundreds of yards, and that multiple deaths occurred in 17 different families; seven deaths were in one family alone.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 17
May 17
Day
May 17
Year
1896
Country
United States
Subdivision
Kansas,Nebraska
Location
Washington County, Marshall County, Nemaha County, Brown County, Richardson County
Fatalities
25
Notes
1896 Seneca–Oneida-Falls City Tornado – An opera house in Seneca was swept away, along with some farms. Entire farms were reportedly swept clean of debris, leaving the areas "bare as the prairie." Damage estimated at $400,000.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, Grazulis
May 25
May 25
Day
May 25
Year
1896
Country
United States
Subdivision
Michigan
Location
Ortonville, Oakwood
Fatalities
47
Notes
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 1896 – Houses and farms were leveled and swept away, with debris carried up to 12 mi (19 km) away. Trees were completely debarked, with even small twigs stripped bare in some cases.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 18
May 18
Day
May 18
Year
1898
Country
United States
Subdivision
Wisconsin
Location
Marathon County
Fatalities
12
Notes
Twelve farms were flattened. Timber losses totaled 100 million board feet.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Jun 11
Jun 11
Day
Jun 11
Year
1899
Country
United States
Subdivision
Nebraska,Iowa
Location
Salix
Fatalities
5
Notes
This tornado impacted several farms, including one where a "fine new residence" was swept completely away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC
Jun 12
Jun 12
Day
Jun 12
Year
1899
Country
United States
Subdivision
Wisconsin
Location
St. Croix County, New Richmond
Fatalities
117
Notes
1899 New Richmond tornado – This tornado devastated New Richmond, leveling or sweeping away many homes and businesses. A large section of the town was reduced to nothing but scattered debris and house foundations. The three-story brick Nicollet Hotel was completely leveled to the ground. Numerous trees were completely debarked and shorn of their branches. A 3,000-pound (1,400 kg) safe was carried a full block.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
May 10
May 10
Day
May 10
Year
1905
Country
United States
Subdivision
Oklahoma
Location
Snyder
Fatalities
97
Notes
1905 Snyder tornado – The town of Snyder was devastated, with many structures swept away. A piano was found in a field 8 mi (13 km) outside town, and debris was carried 60 mi (97 km) away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 5
Jun 5
Day
Jun 5
Year
1905
Country
United States
Subdivision
Michigan
Location
Colling
Fatalities
5
Notes
Three farms were "wiped out of existence" with only "bits of kindling" remaining on the foundations.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Jun 5
Jun 5
Day
Jun 5
Year
1906
Country
United States
Subdivision
Iowa,Minnesota,Wisconsin
Location
Houston County
Fatalities
4
Notes
A farm was completely leveled, and a child was reportedly carried .5 mi (0.80 km) away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC
Apr 23
Apr 23
Day
Apr 23
Year
1908
Country
United States
Subdivision
Nebraska
Location
Cuming County, Thurston County
Fatalities
3
Notes
1908 Dixie tornado outbreak – A well-built two-story home was swept away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
May 12
May 12
Day
May 12
Year
1908
Country
United States
Subdivision
Iowa
Location
Fremont County, Page County
Fatalities
0
Notes
Five farms had all buildings swept away, homes were "absolutely reduced to kindling," and lumber was scattered for miles.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 5
Jun 5
Day
Jun 5
Year
1908
Country
United States
Subdivision
Nebraska
Location
Fillmore County
Fatalities
11
Notes
Farms vanished, with little left to indicate farmsteads ever existed at some locations.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
Apr 20
Apr 20
Day
Apr 20
Year
1912
Country
United States
Subdivision
Oklahoma
Location
Kingfisher County
Fatalities
2
Notes
Tornado outbreak of April 20–22, 1912 - Entire farms were swept away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC
Apr 27
Apr 27
Day
Apr 27
Year
1912
Country
United States
Subdivision
Oklahoma
Location
Kiowa County, Canadian County
Fatalities
15
Notes
This tornado is only listed as an F5 by a NCDC technical report, and is not listed at all by Grazulis or any other sources, and is therefore a possible typographical error in the report.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC
Jun 15
Jun 15
Day
Jun 15
Year
1912
Country
United States
Subdivision
Missouri
Location
Creighton
Fatalities
5
Notes
Two large homes were completely swept away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Mar 23
Mar 23
Day
Mar 23
Year
1913
Country
United States
Subdivision
Nebraska
Location
Omaha
Fatalities
113
Notes
Tornado outbreak sequence of March 1913 – Photo analysis by Grazulis revealed possible F5 damage with many empty foundations throughout Omaha, though it is uncertain if this was a result of the tornado or cleanup efforts following the event. An F4 rating was assigned due to the uncertainty.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Jun 11
Jun 11
Day
Jun 11
Year
1915
Country
United States
Subdivision
Kansas
Location
Mullinville
Fatalities
0
Notes
One entire farm was swept completely away and many homes were reportedly leveled.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 25
May 25
Day
May 25
Year
1917
Country
United States
Subdivision
Kansas
Location
Andale, Sedgwick
Fatalities
23
Notes
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 25 – June 1, 1917 – Many structures were swept away, and trees were debarked. The F5 rating is widely accepted.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 26
May 26
Day
May 26
Year
1917
Country
United States
Subdivision
Illinois
Location
Pike, Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian, Shelby, Coles
Fatalities
101
Notes
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 25 – June 1, 1917 – J. P. Carey estimated winds of over 400 mph (640 km/h). This tornado family retrospectively estimated to have been an F4.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Carey
Jun 5
Jun 5
Day
Jun 5
Year
1917
Country
United States
Subdivision
Kansas
Location
Kiro, Elmont
Fatalities
9
Notes
The tornado hit only 8 mi (13 km) northwest of downtown Topeka. In the damaged area, homes and farms were swept completely away. A schoolhouse was reduced to an empty stone foundation. Trees were debarked, and heavy farm machinery was carried for miles. Rated F4 by Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC
May 21
May 21
Day
May 21
Year
1918
Country
United States
Subdivision
Iowa
Location
Crawford County, Greene County
Fatalities
6
Notes
At least two farms were swept away, and house foundations were left bare. Mattresses from the homes were transported 2 mi (3.2 km).
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 21
May 21
Day
May 21
Year
1918
Country
United States
Subdivision
Iowa
Location
Boone County, Story County
Fatalities
9
Notes
A large tornado completely swept away two entire farms. Mentioned as a possible F5 by Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Jun 22
Jun 22
Day
Jun 22
Year
1919
Country
United States
Subdivision
Minnesota
Location
Fergus Falls
Fatalities
59
Notes
1919 Fergus Falls tornado – This tornado produced extreme damage in Fergus Falls. A three-block-wide swath was leveled, with some homes swept away. Several summer homes were swept away into Lake Alice. A train station was swept away, railroad tracks were ripped from the ground, and a large three-story hotel was completely leveled. Numerous small trees were completely debarked.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
Mar 28
Mar 28
Day
Mar 28
Year
1920
Country
United States
Subdivision
Indiana,Ohio
Location
Jackson Township, West Liberty, Van Wert
Fatalities
17
Notes
1920 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – Farms were leveled and swept away in Indiana and Ohio. Some homes had their floors dislodged and moved some distance. Mentioned as a possible F5 by Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, Grazulis
Jul 22
Jul 22
Day
Jul 22
Year
1920
Country
Canada
Subdivision
Saskatchewan
Location
Frobisher, Alameda
Fatalities
4
Notes
"Splendid homes" were swept away and "reduced to splinters."
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Apr 15
Apr 15
Day
Apr 15
Year
1921
Country
United States
Subdivision
Texas,Arkansas
Location
Harrison County, Pike County, Hempstead County
Fatalities
62
Notes
This tornado family tracked for 112 mi (180 km), killing at least 59 people, and reached a peak width of 2,000 yards (1,800 m; 1.1 mi; 1.8 km). Many homes were leveled, some of which were swept away and scattered across fields. A large concrete fireplace was shifted 3 ft (0.91 m), and a vehicle was thrown 200 yd (180 m) and partially buried into the soil. Tornado is not listed as an F5 by Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC
Mar 11
Mar 11
Day
Mar 11
Year
1923
Country
United States
Subdivision
Tennessee
Location
Pinson
Fatalities
20
Notes
An entire section of the town was swept away. Bodies or body parts were found up to 1 mi (1.6 km) away. This is the first of the six potential F5/EF5 intensity tornadoes to hit Tennessee on record.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
May 14
May 14
Day
May 14
Year
1923
Country
United States
Subdivision
Texas
Location
Big Spring
Fatalities
23
Notes
A large ranch home and farms were swept away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Jun 24
Jun 24
Day
Jun 24
Year
1923
Country
United States
Subdivision
North Dakota
Location
Hettinger
Fatalities
8
Notes
Some ranch homes had possible F5 damage.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Sep 21
Sep 21
Day
Sep 21
Year
1924
Country
United States
Subdivision
Wisconsin
Location
Clark County, Taylor County
Fatalities
18
Notes
20 farms were destroyed, some of which were obliterated. An entire wall of a home was carried for 14 mi (23 km). Considered to be a probable F5 by Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Mar 18
Mar 18
Day
Mar 18
Year
1925
Country
United States
Subdivision
Missouri,Illinois,Indiana
Location
Ellington, Annapolis, Biehle, Gorham, Murphysboro, De Soto, West Frankfort, Parrish, Griffin, Owensville, Princeton
Fatalities
695
Notes
1925 Tri-State tornado – This was the deadliest and longest-tracked single tornado in U.S. history, producing the highest tornado-related death toll in a single U.S. city (234, at Murphysboro, Illinois) and the largest such toll in a U.S. school (33, at De Soto, Illinois). Thousands of structures were destroyed, with hundreds of homes swept away along the path, especially in Illinois and Indiana. The towns of Murphysboro, West Frankfort, Gorham, and Griffin were devastated, along with numerous other small towns and communities. Gorham and Griffin were destroyed entirely, with every single structure in Gorham leveled or swept away. Trees were debarked, debris was finely granulated, and deep ground scouring was noted in several areas as well. A Model T Ford was thrown a long distance and stripped, railroad tracks were ripped from the ground at multiple locations along the path, and a large, 80 foot coal tipple weighing hundreds of tons was blown over and rolled. The F5 rating is widely accepted.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Mar 18
Mar 18
Day
Mar 18
Year
1925
Country
United States
Subdivision
Tennessee,Kentucky
Location
Buck Lodge (TN), Keytown (TN), Oak Grove (TN), Angeltown (TN), Liberty (TN), Holland (KY), Beaumont (KY)
Fatalities
41
Notes
Tri-State tornado outbreak – This event was believed to have been a tornado family and is regarded as one of the most powerful tornadoes to affect Middle Tennessee. Bodies were mangled and hurled hundreds of yards, homes were obliterated, and ground scouring occurred. The tornado may have reached F5 intensity.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS
Jun 3
Jun 3
Day
Jun 3
Year
1925
Country
United States
Subdivision
Iowa
Location
Pottawattamie County, Harrison County
Fatalities
0
Notes
Nineteen buildings on two farms reportedly "vanished". This tornado took nearly the same path as the next one, below. It is described as a "possible" F5.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Jun 3
Jun 3
Day
Jun 3
Year
1925
Country
United States
Subdivision
Iowa
Location
Pottawattamie County, Harrison County
Fatalities
1
Notes
Parts of two farms and some homes swept away, but they may have been hit by both tornadoes, thus the uncertainty of a possible F5.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Sep 20
Sep 20
Day
Sep 20
Year
1926
Country
Paraguay
Subdivision
Itapúa
Location
Encarnación
Fatalities
~400
Notes
1926 Encarnación tornado – On September 20, 1926, a tornado hit and almost completely destroyed the city of Encarnación, Paraguay, leaving a death toll of about 400 people, being the most lethal tornado in South America and the second deadliest in the American continent, only behind the tri-state tornado in the USA. Due to the intensity, level of destruction and particularity of the phenomenon, the classification of the tornado would be estimated at an F4 or possible F5.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Pending
Apr 12
Apr 12
Day
Apr 12
Year
1927
Country
United States
Subdivision
Texas
Location
Rocksprings
Fatalities
74
Notes
1927 Rocksprings tornado – This massive tornado swept away or leveled 235 out of 247 structures, more than 90% of the town, killing or injuring a third of the population. Many of the structures were reduced to bare foundations, leaving "no trace of lumber or contents." Acres of ground were "swept bare" in some parts of town.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, Grazulis
May 7
May 7
Day
May 7
Year
1927
Country
United States
Subdivision
Kansas
Location
Barber County, McPherson County
Fatalities
10
Notes
Tornado outbreak of May 1927 – Many farms were destroyed and some were swept completely away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Jul 16
Jul 16
Day
Jul 16
Year
1927
Country
United States
Subdivision
Kansas
Location
Dunlap, Lebo
Fatalities
3
Notes
Two farms incurred possible F5-level damage.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Sep 13
Sep 13
Day
Sep 13
Year
1928
Country
United States
Subdivision
Nebraska
Location
Cuming County, Thurston County, Dakota County
Fatalities
5
Notes
Three rural schools houses were obliterated, at least one was "swept entirely away". Possible F5 damage, according to Grazulis, was in an area where two farms "were completely leveled". 66 homes and at least another 450 buildings were damaged or destroyed. The tornado caused $1 million in damages.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Apr 10
Apr 10
Day
Apr 10
Year
1929
Country
United States
Subdivision
Arkansas
Location
Sneed
Fatalities
23
Notes
Sneed Tornado – This tornado is considered the only F5 on record in Arkansas. It destroyed the Sneed community, reduced homes to "splinters", and made a "clean sweep" of the area. Huge trees were snapped or torn apart.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, Grazulis
May 22
May 22
Day
May 22
Year
1933
Country
United States
Subdivision
Nebraska
Location
Tryon
Fatalities
8
Notes
Two farms were swept away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
Jul 1
Jul 1
Day
Jul 1
Year
1935
Country
Canada
Subdivision
Saskatchewan
Location
Benson
Fatalities
1
Notes
Several structures were leveled.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Apr 5
Apr 5
Day
Apr 5
Year
1936
Country
United States
Subdivision
Mississippi
Location
Tupelo
Fatalities
216
Notes
1936 Tupelo–Gainesville tornado outbreak – This tornado leveled and swept away many large and well-constructed houses, killing entire families. A concrete war monument was toppled and broken, with nearby brick gate posts snapped off at the base. Granulated structural debris was scattered and wind-rowed for miles east of the city. Pine needles were reportedly driven into tree trunks as well.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, Grazulis
Apr 26
Apr 26
Day
Apr 26
Year
1938
Country
United States
Subdivision
Nebraska
Location
Oshkosh
Fatalities
3
Notes
A school disintegrated, and two farms were swept away. Dead bodies were carried .25 mi (0.40 km) away.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 10
Jun 10
Day
Jun 10
Year
1938
Country
United States
Subdivision
Texas
Location
Clyde
Fatalities
14
Notes
All nine homes in a small subdivision "literally vanished", with bodies carried up to .5 mi (0.80 km) away. A car engine, found nearby, was carried for a similar distance. 19 railroad cars were "tossed like toys."
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Apr 14
Apr 14
Day
Apr 14
Year
1939
Country
United States
Subdivision
Oklahoma,Kansas
Location
Woodward County, Barber County
Fatalities
7
Notes
Homes and entire farms were swept away, and cars were carried for hundreds of yards.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 18
Jun 18
Day
Jun 18
Year
1939
Country
United States
Subdivision
Minnesota
Location
Hennepin County, Anoka County
Fatalities
9
Notes
Homes were swept away in Champlin and Anoka. A car was tossed 300 yd (270 m) and smashed to pieces. As the tornado crossed the Mississippi River, witnesses reported that so much water was sucked into the air that the riverbed was briefly exposed, and that the flow of water was stopped until the tornado reached the opposite bank. Tornado is not listed as an F5 by Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC
Apr 7
Apr 7
Day
Apr 7
Year
1940
Country
United States
Subdivision
Louisiana
Location
Amite
Fatalities
3
Notes
This tornado produced possible F5 damage to a "large new home," killing the couple inside.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
Mar 16
Mar 16
Day
Mar 16
Year
1942
Country
United States
Subdivision
Illinois
Location
Peoria County, Marshall County
Fatalities
8
Notes
Tornado outbreak of March 16–17, 1942 – Many homes were swept away in the town of Lacon, Illinois, and a rural farmhouse sustained F5-level damage.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Apr 29
Apr 29
Day
Apr 29
Year
1942
Country
United States
Subdivision
Kansas
Location
Oberlin
Fatalities
15
Notes
Three farms were obliterated, with all buildings and several inches of topsoil swept away. Debris from homes was granulated into splinters "no larger than match sticks."
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 17
Jun 17
Day
Jun 17
Year
1944
Country
United States
Subdivision
South Dakota,Minnesota
Location
Wilmot
Fatalities
8
Notes
1944 South Dakota–Minnesota tornado outbreak - Farms were swept away with no visible debris left.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, Grazulis
Jun 22
Jun 22
Day
Jun 22
Year
1944
Country
United States
Subdivision
Wisconsin,Illinois
Location
Grant County, Stephenson County
Fatalities
9
Notes
This long-tracked tornado or tornado family destroyed many homes in both Wisconsin and Illinois. Hundreds of cattle were killed. Rated F4 by Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC
Apr 12
Apr 12
Day
Apr 12
Year
1945
Country
United States
Subdivision
Oklahoma
Location
Antlers
Fatalities
69
Notes
Tornado outbreak of April 12, 1945 – Six hundred buildings were destroyed, and some areas were swept clean of all debris. The F5 rating is widely accepted.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC, Grazulis
Apr 9
Apr 9
Day
Apr 9
Year
1947
Country
United States
Subdivision
Texas,Oklahoma
Location
Glazier, Higgins, Woodward
Fatalities
181
Notes
1947 Glazier–Higgins–Woodward tornado outbreak – Several towns were partially or totally destroyed. Most structures in Glazier were swept away, where shrubbery was debarked, ground scouring occurred, and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards. In Higgins, a 4,500 kilograms (9,900 lb) lathe was ripped from its anchors and broken in half. A 40,000 lb (18,000 kg) boiler tank in Woodward was thrown a block and a half. The F5 rating is widely accepted.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Apr 29
Apr 29
Day
Apr 29
Year
1947
Country
United States
Subdivision
Missouri
Location
Worth
Fatalities
14
Notes
Most of Worth was destroyed. Half of a brick building remained standing in the village. Considered to be a possible F5 by Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Grazulis
May 31
May 31
Day
May 31
Year
1947
Country
United States
Subdivision
Oklahoma
Location
Leedey
Fatalities
6
Notes
This tornado reportedly left more intense damage than the previous event did in Woodward. Many structures were swept away, leaving no debris or grass in some areas. Yards at some residences were stripped of their lawns and all vegetation, and several inches of topsoil were removed as well. The F5 rating is widely accepted, though the tornado was very slow-moving, which may have exacerbated the level of destruction to some extent.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NWS, Grazulis
May 21
May 21
Day
May 21
Year
1949
Country
United States
Subdivision
Illinois,Indiana
Location
Palestine
Fatalities
4
Notes
A restaurant was leveled, and cars in the parking lot were thrown up to 300 yd (270 m) away from where they originated. Rated F4 by Grazulis.
Rated F5/EF5 by
NCDC
Jan 1
Jan 1
Day
Jan 1
Year
1970
Country
Australia
Subdivision
New South Wales
Location
Bulahdelah
Fatalities
0
Notes
Bulahdelah tornado – Never officially rated, but is thought to have reached F4 or F5 intensity. Left a damage path 21 km (13 mi) long and 1–1.6 km (0.62–0.99 mi) wide through the Bulahdelah State Forest. According to reports, the tornado threw a tractor weighing 2,000 kilograms (4,400 lb) 100 m (330 ft) through the air, depositing it upside-down. It is estimated that the tornado destroyed over one million trees.
Rated F5/EF5 by
Pending
Day
Year
Country
Subdivision
Location
Fatalities
Notes
Rated F5/EF5 by
Apr 24
1880
United States
Illinois
West Prairie, Christian County
6
Many "well built" homes were leveled and farms vanished. Its victims (both people and cattle) were reportedly carried up to half a mile. This is the earliest estimated F5 that can be verified in the U.S. according to Grazulis. (The 1953 Waco tornado is the earliest officially rated - see section.) The F5 rating is widely accepted.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 12
1881
United States
Missouri
Hopkins
2
Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Two farms were completely swept away. May have reached F5 intensity according to Grazulis.
NCDC, Grazulis
Jul 15
1881
United States
Minnesota
Renville County
20
1881 Minnesota tornado outbreak – According to Grazulis, this tornado was "probably" an F5. Severe damage occurred in Renville County where five farms were completely swept away.
Grazulis
Jun 17
1882
United States
Iowa
Grinnell
68
1882 Grinnell tornado – Sixteen farms were blown away and the town of Grinnell was devastated, as well as the Grinnell College campus. Debris was carried 100 mi (160 km). Caused 68 fatalities according to Grazulis.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Aug 21
1883
United States
Minnesota
Rochester
37
1883 Rochester tornado – Numerous homes in Rochester were destroyed, some of which were oblitereted and swept away with the debris finely granulated. Trees were completely debarked, and grass and shrubbery was scoured from the ground. A large metal railroad bridge was completely destroyed and mangled. At least 10 farms outside the city were also completely leveled and swept away, with little debris recovered at some of them.
NWS, Grazulis
Apr 1
1884
United States
Indiana
Oakville
8
Among contemporary meteorologists, this was considered one of the most intense tornadoes observed up to that time. Parts of Oakville "vanished," with house debris scattered for miles.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 15
1892
United States
Minnesota
Faribault County, Freeborn County, Steele County
12
1892 Southern Minnesota tornado – Entire farms were obliterated, and house timbers were embedded into the ground 3 mi (4.8 km) away from the foundations.
Grazulis
May 22
1893
United States
Wisconsin
Willow Springs
3
Two farm complexes were completely swept away.
NCDC, Grazulis
Jul 6
1893
United States
Iowa
Pomeroy
71
Well-built homes were swept away in four counties with F5 damage in the town of Pomeroy. Grass was scoured from the ground, and a metal bridge was torn from its supports. A well pump and 40 ft (12 m) of piping were pulled out of the ground.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Sep 21
1894
United States
Iowa
Kossuth County
43
Five farms and a home were swept away, leaving little trace.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 1
1895
United States
Kansas
Harvey County
8
Farms "entirely vanished," with debris carried for miles.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 3
1895
United States
Iowa
Sioux County
9
Farms were swept away, with debris carried for miles.
NWS, Grazulis
May 15
1896
United States
Texas
Sherman
73
1896 Sherman, Texas Tornado – This was one of the most intense tornadoes of the 19th century according to Grazulis. "Extraordinary" damage occurred to farms and 20 homes that were obliterated and swept away. An iron-beam bridge was torn apart and scattered, with one of the beams deeply embedded into the ground. Trees were reduced to debarked stumps, and grass was scoured from lawns in town as well. Several headstones at a cemetery were shattered or thrown up to 250 yards through the air, and a trunk lid from Sherman was found 35 miles away. Reliable reports said that numerous bodies were carried hundreds of yards, and that multiple deaths occurred in 17 different families; seven deaths were in one family alone.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 17
1896
United States
Kansas,Nebraska
Washington County, Marshall County, Nemaha County, Brown County, Richardson County
25
1896 Seneca–Oneida-Falls City Tornado – An opera house in Seneca was swept away, along with some farms. Entire farms were reportedly swept clean of debris, leaving the areas "bare as the prairie." Damage estimated at $400,000.
NWS, Grazulis
May 25
1896
United States
Michigan
Ortonville, Oakwood
47
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 1896 – Houses and farms were leveled and swept away, with debris carried up to 12 mi (19 km) away. Trees were completely debarked, with even small twigs stripped bare in some cases.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 18
1898
United States
Wisconsin
Marathon County
12
Twelve farms were flattened. Timber losses totaled 100 million board feet.
Grazulis
Jun 11
1899
United States
Nebraska,Iowa
Salix
5
This tornado impacted several farms, including one where a "fine new residence" was swept completely away.
NCDC
Jun 12
1899
United States
Wisconsin
St. Croix County, New Richmond
117
1899 New Richmond tornado – This tornado devastated New Richmond, leveling or sweeping away many homes and businesses. A large section of the town was reduced to nothing but scattered debris and house foundations. The three-story brick Nicollet Hotel was completely leveled to the ground. Numerous trees were completely debarked and shorn of their branches. A 3,000-pound (1,400 kg) safe was carried a full block.
Grazulis
May 10
1905
United States
Oklahoma
Snyder
97
1905 Snyder tornado – The town of Snyder was devastated, with many structures swept away. A piano was found in a field 8 mi (13 km) outside town, and debris was carried 60 mi (97 km) away.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 5
1905
United States
Michigan
Colling
5
Three farms were "wiped out of existence" with only "bits of kindling" remaining on the foundations.
Grazulis
Jun 5
1906
United States
Iowa,Minnesota,Wisconsin
Houston County
4
A farm was completely leveled, and a child was reportedly carried mi (0.80 km) away.
NCDC
Apr 23
1908
United States
Nebraska
Cuming County, Thurston County
3
1908 Dixie tornado outbreak – A well-built two-story home was swept away.
NCDC, Grazulis
May 12
1908
United States
Iowa
Fremont County, Page County
0
Five farms had all buildings swept away, homes were "absolutely reduced to kindling," and lumber was scattered for miles.
NCDC, Grazulis
Jun 5
1908
United States
Nebraska
Fillmore County
11
Farms vanished, with little left to indicate farmsteads ever existed at some locations.
NCDC, Grazulis
Apr 20
1912
United States
Oklahoma
Kingfisher County
2
Tornado outbreak of April 20–22, 1912 - Entire farms were swept away.
NCDC
Apr 27
1912
United States
Oklahoma
Kiowa County, Canadian County
15
This tornado is only listed as an F5 by a NCDC technical report, and is not listed at all by Grazulis or any other sources, and is therefore a possible typographical error in the report.
NCDC
Jun 15
1912
United States
Missouri
Creighton
5
Two large homes were completely swept away.
Grazulis
Mar 23
1913
United States
Nebraska
Omaha
113
Tornado outbreak sequence of March 1913 – Photo analysis by Grazulis revealed possible F5 damage with many empty foundations throughout Omaha, though it is uncertain if this was a result of the tornado or cleanup efforts following the event. An F4 rating was assigned due to the uncertainty.
Grazulis
Jun 11
1915
United States
Kansas
Mullinville
0
One entire farm was swept completely away and many homes were reportedly leveled.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 25
1917
United States
Kansas
Andale, Sedgwick
23
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 25 – June 1, 1917 – Many structures were swept away, and trees were debarked. The F5 rating is widely accepted.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 26
1917
United States
Illinois
Pike, Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian, Shelby, Coles
101
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 25 – June 1, 1917 – J. P. Carey estimated winds of over 400 mph (640 km/h). This tornado family retrospectively estimated to have been an F4.
Carey
Jun 5
1917
United States
Kansas
Kiro, Elmont
9
The tornado hit only 8 mi (13 km) northwest of downtown Topeka. In the damaged area, homes and farms were swept completely away. A schoolhouse was reduced to an empty stone foundation. Trees were debarked, and heavy farm machinery was carried for miles. Rated F4 by Grazulis.
NCDC
May 21
1918
United States
Iowa
Crawford County, Greene County
6
At least two farms were swept away, and house foundations were left bare. Mattresses from the homes were transported 2 mi (3.2 km).
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
May 21
1918
United States
Iowa
Boone County, Story County
9
A large tornado completely swept away two entire farms. Mentioned as a possible F5 by Grazulis.
Grazulis
Jun 22
1919
United States
Minnesota
Fergus Falls
59
1919 Fergus Falls tornado – This tornado produced extreme damage in Fergus Falls. A three-block-wide swath was leveled, with some homes swept away. Several summer homes were swept away into Lake Alice. A train station was swept away, railroad tracks were ripped from the ground, and a large three-story hotel was completely leveled. Numerous small trees were completely debarked.
NCDC, Grazulis
Mar 28
1920
United States
Indiana,Ohio
Jackson Township, West Liberty, Van Wert
17
1920 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak – Farms were leveled and swept away in Indiana and Ohio. Some homes had their floors dislodged and moved some distance. Mentioned as a possible F5 by Grazulis.
NWS, Grazulis
Jul 22
1920
Canada
Saskatchewan
Frobisher, Alameda
4
"Splendid homes" were swept away and "reduced to splinters."
Grazulis
Apr 15
1921
United States
Texas,Arkansas
Harrison County, Pike County, Hempstead County
62
This tornado family tracked for 112 mi (180 km), killing at least 59 people, and reached a peak width of 2,000 yards (1,800 m; 1.1 mi; 1.8 km). Many homes were leveled, some of which were swept away and scattered across fields. A large concrete fireplace was shifted 3 ft (0.91 m), and a vehicle was thrown 200 yd (180 m) and partially buried into the soil. Tornado is not listed as an F5 by Grazulis.
NCDC
Mar 11
1923
United States
Tennessee
Pinson
20
An entire section of the town was swept away. Bodies or body parts were found up to 1 mi (1.6 km) away. This is the first of the six potential F5/EF5 intensity tornadoes to hit Tennessee on record.
NCDC, Grazulis
May 14
1923
United States
Texas
Big Spring
23
A large ranch home and farms were swept away.
Grazulis
Jun 24
1923
United States
North Dakota
Hettinger
8
Some ranch homes had possible F5 damage.
Grazulis
Sep 21
1924
United States
Wisconsin
Clark County, Taylor County
18
20 farms were destroyed, some of which were obliterated. An entire wall of a home was carried for 14 mi (23 km). Considered to be a probable F5 by Grazulis.
Grazulis
Mar 18
1925
United States
Missouri,Illinois,Indiana
Ellington, Annapolis, Biehle, Gorham, Murphysboro, De Soto, West Frankfort, Parrish, Griffin, Owensville, Princeton
695
1925 Tri-State tornado – This was the deadliest and longest-tracked single tornado in U.S. history, producing the highest tornado-related death toll in a single U.S. city (234, at Murphysboro, Illinois) and the largest such toll in a U.S. school (33, at De Soto, Illinois). Thousands of structures were destroyed, with hundreds of homes swept away along the path, especially in Illinois and Indiana. The towns of Murphysboro, West Frankfort, Gorham, and Griffin were devastated, along with numerous other small towns and communities. Gorham and Griffin were destroyed entirely, with every single structure in Gorham leveled or swept away. Trees were debarked, debris was finely granulated, and deep ground scouring was noted in several areas as well. A Model T Ford was thrown a long distance and stripped, railroad tracks were ripped from the ground at multiple locations along the path, and a large, 80 foot coal tipple weighing hundreds of tons was blown over and rolled. The F5 rating is widely accepted.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis
Mar 18
1925
United States
Tennessee,Kentucky
Buck Lodge (TN), Keytown (TN), Oak Grove (TN), Angeltown (TN), Liberty (TN), Holland (KY), Beaumont (KY)
41
Tri-State tornado outbreak – This event was believed to have been a tornado family and is regarded as one of the most powerful tornadoes to affect Middle Tennessee. Bodies were mangled and hurled hundreds of yards, homes were obliterated, and ground scouring occurred. The tornado may have reached F5 intensity.
NWS
Jun 3
1925
United States
Iowa
Pottawattamie County, Harrison County
0
Nineteen buildings on two farms reportedly "vanished". This tornado took nearly the same path as the next one, below. It is described as a "possible" F5.
Grazulis
Jun 3
1925
United States
Iowa
Pottawattamie County, Harrison County
1
Parts of two farms and some homes swept away, but they may have been hit by both tornadoes, thus the uncertainty of a possible F5.
Grazulis
Sep 20
1926
Paraguay
Itapúa
Encarnación
~400
1926 Encarnación tornado – On September 20, 1926, a tornado hit and almost completely destroyed the city of Encarnación, Paraguay, leaving a death toll of about 400 people, being the most lethal tornado in South America and the second deadliest in the American continent, only behind the tri-state tornado in the USA. Due to the intensity, level of destruction and particularity of the phenomenon, the classification of the tornado would be estimated at an F4 or possible F5.
Pending
Apr 12
1927
United States
Texas
Rocksprings
74
1927 Rocksprings tornado – This massive tornado swept away or leveled 235 out of 247 structures, more than 90% of the town, killing or injuring a third of the population. Many of the structures were reduced to bare foundations, leaving "no trace of lumber or contents." Acres of ground were "swept bare" in some parts of town.
NWS, Grazulis
May 7
1927
United States
Kansas
Barber County, McPherson County
10
Tornado outbreak of May 1927 – Many farms were destroyed and some were swept completely away.
NWS, NCDC, Grazulis

References

  1. The Fujita scale was devised under the aegis of scientist T. Theodore Fujita in the early 1970s. Prior to the advent of
  2. Historically, the number of tornadoes globally and in the United States was and is likely underrepresented: research by
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