Which are the worst tornadoes in US history? Reason why tornadoes often hit the US

Tornadoes can occur anywhere in the world; however, the United States experiences more tornadoes than any other country. There are about 1200 tornadoes in the US annually. Here are some of the worst tornadoes in US history. 

Top worst tornadoes in the US history

How is tornado severity determined?

People use the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF scale) to determine the strength of a tornado. 

The original Fujita Scale had been used since 1971 and was then replaced in 2013. 

The tornado intensity scale ranges from EF-U (no damage) and EF-0 (light damage) up to EF-5 (incredible damage). 

The Enhanced Fujita Scale 

This provides a more accurate assessment of tornado strength based on observed damage. 

Since 1950, nearly 60 tornadoes have been classified as F5 or EF-5, representing the most violent and destructive storms recorded.

TOP 5 worst tornadoes in US history

From the costliest to the most deadly tornadoes, US history has experienced some incredible examples of what severe tornadoes can damage.

Take a look at the TOP 5 worst tornadoes in US history based on damage, wind speed, strength, and size.

Tri-State Tornado: 695 deaths

The Tri-State Tornado stands as one of the most devastating tornadoes in history. On March 18, 1925, this single tornado swept across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana - the distance was about 219 miles. 

More recent research has adjusted that distance to an impressive 174 miles (280 km). 

It still is the deadliest tornado in U.S. history due to nearly 700 deaths and damage to thousands of buildings. 

With estimated wind speeds of 300 mph (483 km/h), the tornado struck before modern meteorological instruments could accurately measure its intensity. 

Nevertheless, the extent of its destruction and the length of its path confirm it as one of the most violent tornadoes ever recorded.

The Tri-State Tornado of 1925

The Great Natchez Tornado: 317 deaths

The Natchez Tornado, which struck southwestern Mississippi on May 6, 1840. 

It killed at least 317 people and injured over 100, though the true death toll is likely higher due to uncounted slave deaths. 

This second-worst U.S. tornado traveled over 150 miles, causing immense destruction. 

Its high fatality count was partly due to it hitting not only Natchez but also sweeping across the Mississippi River, sinking numerous freight-carrying flatboats and their crews.

The disastrous Natchez, Mississippi tornado of 1840

Great St. Louis Tornado: 255 deaths

The Great St. Louis Tornado of May 27, 1896 caused at least 255 fatalities and injured over 1,000 people when it devastated the St. Louis, Missouri area. 

According to the National Weather Service, this tornado would likely be classified as an EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with estimated wind speeds ranging from 168 to 199 mph. 

Beyond demolishing homes, businesses, and steamboats, the tornado famously ripped away 300 feet of the Eads Bridge - the first bridge was built with true steel and once considered "tornado-proof" (according to the NWS).

The Great St.Louis Tornado ripped away the Eads Bridge

Tupelo Tornado: 216 deaths

The Southeastern U.S. was devastated by the 1936 Tupelo-Gainesville tornado outbreak, a series of at least 12 tornadoes beginning on April 5th. 

One massive tornado, later rated F5 on the Fujita scale, tore through Tupelo, Mississippi. 

Before even reaching the city's west side, it tragically swept away a family of 13, killing them all and injuring many others. 

Upon hitting Tupelo, this monstrous twister caused total destruction along its path through the Willis Heights neighborhood, where dozens of large, well-built mansions were completely swept away. 

In total, the Tupelo tornado leveled 48 city blocks and heavily damaged as many as 900 homes.

The devastating tornado in 1936

Gainesville tornado: 203 deaths

Mentioning the worst tornadoes in US history, many people remember the Gainesville tornado. 

Over two devastating days, the tornado outbreak inflicted millions of dollars in damage across the region. 

The same system that produced the Tupelo tornado the previous day would kill 203 people in Gainesville, Georgia, on April 6, 1936.

The Northeast Georgia History Center reports that two tornadoes merged, causing widespread destruction in the downtown area.

The Tupelo tornado alone obliterated over 200 homes. It swept many residents tragically into Gum Pond and even claimed entire families, including one of 13 members. 

The next day, a remarkable double-tornado event struck Gainesville, emerging as the Gainesville tornado. 

It catastrophically destroyed the Cooper Pants Factory, killing 70 workers. This number marks the highest tornado death toll from a single building in U.S. history.

The Gainesville tornado in 1936

Oklahoma City Tornado: 181 deaths

The deadliest tornado in Oklahoma’s history, known as the Glazier-Higgins-Woodward tornado, struck on April 9, 1947. 

From near Canadian, Texas, it traveled over 150 miles through Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, with a path up to 1.8 miles wide and speeds around 50 mph. 

The tornado devastated several towns, including Glazier and Higgins in Texas and Woodward in Oklahoma, leveling more than 100 blocks and destroying over 1,000 homes and businesses. 

It caused 181 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries. It became one of the most destructive tornado outbreaks in U.S. history.

Oklahoma’s deadliest tornado

Want to know more worst tornadoes in the US and worldwide?

• What is Tornado Alley?

• Which is the most dangerous tornado in the world?

Why does the US have more tornadoes than any country?

The United States leads every other country in tornadoes. 

From 2011 to 2020, the US experienced an average of 1173 tornadoes annually, while European countries experienced around 256 twisters. 

Dr. Pieter Groenemeijer, Director of the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL) said that the European number may be lower. 

The average number of tornadoes per year in the US and Europe 

According to Dr. Harold Brooks, senior scientist at the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, the key ingredients for severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes include warm, moist air near the surface, cooler and drier air at higher altitudes (roughly 10,000 to 30,000 feet), and wind patterns that strengthen and shift direction with height—typically blowing from the equator at ground level and from the west aloft.

The United States owns all these factors contributing to the development of frequent tornadoes, hurricanes, and thunderstorms. 

The large, flat central region, including the Great Plains and the Mississippi River valley, heats up quickly, creating rising warm air. 

This area also receives moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and local vegetation, while cooler air flows in from the Upper Great Plains and Canada. 

The combination of warm, moist air and cooler air masses promotes frequent severe thunderstorms, many of which produce tornadoes.

U.S. geography fuels frequent tornado outbreaks.

Which state has the most tornadoes on average?

Since 1997, Texas has averaged the most tornadoes in the U.S., with about 135 to 140 annually, followed by Kansas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. 

Here is a breakdown of the average number of tornadoes annually in each US State over the last 25 years. Take a look:

However, the number of tornadoes doesn’t always reflect danger levels. For example, Alabama, with fewer tornadoes (around 42 per year), has the highest tornado fatality rate, averaging 14 deaths annually. 

This higher fatality rate is attributed to factors like Alabama’s hilly, forested terrain, which limits visibility and delays warnings. 

Southeastern tornadoes also tend to be faster and more dangerous due to geographic and weather conditions, including a stronger jet stream.

With the high risk of tornadoes, the US states, especially high potential danger areas, need to raise awareness of tornadoes as well as keep tornado safety tips in their pockets to deal with disasters proactively.

Closing thoughts

The worst tornadoes in US history left too much damage to both humans and property. However, they are also good examples to take from experiences, providing greater solutions to natural disasters.