This is a list of tornadoes which have been officially or unofficially labeled as F4, EF4, IF4, or an equivalent rating. 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.
Tornadoes are among the most violent known meteorological phenomena. Each year, more than 2,000 tornadoes are recorded worldwide, with the vast majority occurring in North America and Europe.[1] [2] In order to assess the intensity of these events, meteorologist Ted Fujita devised a method to estimate maximum wind speeds within tornadic storms based on the damage caused; this became known as the Fujita scale. The scale ranks tornadoes from F0 to F5, with F0 being the least intense and F5 being the most intense. F4 tornadoes were estimated to have had maximum winds between 207mph and 260mph.[3]
Following two particularly devastating tornadoes in 1997 and 1999, engineers questioned the reliability of the Fujita scale. Ultimately, a new scale was devised that took into account 28 different damage indicators; this became known as the Enhanced Fujita scale.[4] With building design and structural integrity taken more into account, winds in an EF4 tornado were estimated to between 166mph and 200mph.[5] The Enhanced Fujita scale is used predominantly in North America. Most of Europe, on the other hand, uses the TORRO tornado intensity scale (or T-Scale), which ranks tornado intensity between T0 and T11; F4/EF4 tornadoes are approximately equivalent to T8 to T9 on the T-Scale. Tornadoes rated IF4 on the International Fujita scale are also included on this list.
The most recent EF4 tornado occurred on May 21, 2024, which impacted the town of Greenfield, Iowa during the tornado outbreak sequence of May 19–27, 2024.
The National Weather Service in the United States did not rate any tornadoes prior to 1950. Other organizations like the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) on the other hand, did rate tornadoes prior to 1950. The only violent tornado that impacted the United States prior to 1950 and has an official rating is the 1946 Windsor–Tecumseh tornado, which received a rating from ECCC. However, the impact to the United States remains officially unrated.
Day | Year | Country | Subdivision | Location | Fatalities | Notes | Rated by |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 23 | 1091 | UK | Greater London | London | 2 | London tornado of 1091 — A violent tornado destroyed 600 houses, damaged the Church of St Mary-le-bow, and killed two people. While this tornado did not receive a rating on a tornado intensity scale, a publication in the Journal of Meteorology by M. W. Roe described the tornado as a “violent whirlwind”, so it is believed to have been equivalent to an F4 tornado.[6] [7] | M. W. Roe |
1535 | Poland | Lower Silesian | Oleśnica | 5 | An F4 tornado that destroyed part of the town. The written account of this tornado was done by Dr. Alfred Wegener, which is in the CLIMDAT archive located at Leipzig University.[8] | ||
1582 | Germany | Thuringia | Rockhausen | 0 | This F4 tornado nearly destroyed a village, leaving only two houses that remained untouched. This may have been twin tornadoes instead of just one tornado.[9] | ESSL | |
1625 | Russia | Tver Oblast | Toropets | 0 | This violent F4 tornado caused a 125km (78miles) path of destruction, reaching a maximum width of 2500m (8,200feet). Numerous houses and churches were obliterated and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. | ESSL | |
1666 | UK | Lincolnshire | 4 Villages in Lincolnshire | 3 Fatalities | A high end F4/low end F5 past through Welbourn, Wellingore, Navenby and Boothby Graffoe in Lincolnshire. Killing 3 people. Rated T8/9 by TORRO which is equivalent to F4 on the Fujita scale. Slight possibility of being an F5.[10] | TORRO | |
1872 | Estonia | Historic country of Livonia | Unknown | 7 (14 injuries) | 74 farms were damaged and a church was destroyed. | Heino Tooming, ESSL | |
1882 | Denmark | Silkeborg Municipality | Gødvad | 0 | The tornado destroyed an entire barn, "crushed" six strong oak half-timbered homes, destroyed turf homes, scoured an oat field, and picked up the water in a pond. "A stone house had all of its wooden roof tiles ripped off and the planks reportedly broken like glass". "Deep ground scouring" occurred in numerous places as well. | ||
1891 | Germany | North Rhineland | Lind, Süchteln, Anrath, Krefeld | 3 (100 injuries) | This short-lived, extremely fast-moving F4/T9 tornado destroyed the towns of Lind, Süchteln, Anrath, and Krefeld. According to the European Severe Storms Laboratory, this tornado had a path of 202NaN2 and only was on the ground for 4 minutes, meaning the forward moving speed of this tornado was about 300km/h. Hail up to 82NaN2 occurred with this tornado.[11] | ||
1897 | Italy | Apulia | Oria | 55 | Houses and stone-walled buildings collapsed. The tornado's maximum width was 850m (2,790feet) and had a path length of 36km (22miles). | ||
1902 | Canada | Ontario | Chesterville, Winchester | Several | The tornado was NaNrd wide and tore dwellings and outbuildings into pieces.[12] [13] [14] | ECCC | |
1904 | Russia | Moscow Oblast | Moscow | 9–200 (≥93 injuries) | 1904 Moscow tornado — | ESSL | |
1912 | Canada | Saskatchewan | Regina | 28 (300 injuries) | Regina Cyclone – An F4 tornado that completely leveled several structures and caused others to explode as the pressure inside the structures rose when the tornado passed overhead. The tornado caused a 12km (07miles) path of destruction and had an approximate width of 150m (490feet).[15] [16] With 28 deaths, it remains Canada's deadliest tornado. | ECCC | |
1928 | Denmark | Southern Denmark | Hostrup, Esbjerg, Alslev | 0 | An F4 tornado that impacted Southern Denmark along a path of 4.6km (02.9miles). Several barns were destroyed near Hostrup and gables on homes were destroyed. A home’s walls were cracked in this area as well. A pump that was “deep into the ground” was ripped up and thrown 10m (30feet). In the area of the pump, a “literal” two-story brick farmhouse was “erased to the ground”, which suggested F4 level intensity. | ESSL, DMI | |
Poland | Lublin | Lublin | This tornado is officially rated F4; however, the Polish Weather Service estimated winds at 246to, potentially ranking it as an F5. Numerous structures were "razed to the ground".[17] | ESSL | |||
Finland | Eastern Finland Province | Kiuruvesi | An F4 tornado was observed which crossed over land and water.[18] | ESSL, FMI, NWS | |||
Cuba | Mayabeque Province | Bejucal | 20 (100+ injuries) | The F4 tornado collapsed numerous houses and other structures. The tornado had an estimated width of 400m (1,300feet) and an estimated windspeed of 350km/h.[19] | Government of Cuba | ||
United States, Canada | Michigan, Ontario | River Rouge, Windsor, LaSalle, Tecumseh | 1946 Windsor–Tecumseh tornado – Officially rated F4; however, one home had a portion of its concrete block foundation swept away, indicating borderline F5 damage. The tornado knocked out power to most of Tecumseh as well. This tornado is not officially rated by the National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States as NWS did not begin to rate tornadoes until 1950, so the damage done in the United States remains unrated.[20] [21] | ECCC | |||
See List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (1950–1959)
See List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (1960–1969)
July 31, 1987 - Edmonton,Alberta, Canada - also known as Black Friday
June 1, 1990 Bakersfield, Texas F4 [22]
See List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2000–2009)
See List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2010–2019)
See List of F4, EF4, and IF4 tornadoes (2020–present)
Because the distinctions between tornadoes ratings are often ambiguous, the official ratings of numerous other tornadoes formally rated below F4/EF4/IF4 or equivalent have been disputed, with certain government sources or independent studies contradicting the official record. This list includes tornadoes rated F4/EF4/IF4 or equivalent by government meteorologists, non-government tornado experts (i.e. Thomas P. Grazulis or Ted Fujita) or meteorological research institutions (i.e. European Severe Storms Laboratory) that rated a tornado differently than the official government organization in charge of the rating. Published academic papers or presentations at academically held meteorological conferences that rate tornadoes as F4/EF4/IF4 or present some evidence to support damage or winds in that category are also ways a tornado can be added to this list.
Tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis gave F4 ratings to 48 tornadoes that occurred in the United States in the 1870s.
Day | Year | Country | Subdivision | Location | Fatalities | Notes | Rated by | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1871 | United States | Iowa | Richland Township, Guthrie County | 0 (5 injuries) | A farm house was leveled and an oven was thrown 300yd. | Grazulis | ||
1872 | United States | Missouri | North of Versailles | 2 (10 injuries) | Five farms were completely destroyed and more were damaged. An eyewitness stated that two funnels merged. | Grazulis | ||
1873 | United States | Kansas | Jackonsville, Neosho County | 7 (20 injuries) | A dozen farms were destroyed, some of which "completely disappeared." | Grazulis | ||
1873 | United States | Iowa | Lancaster, Jackson Township (Washington County), Highland Township | 8+ (30 injuries) | At least 30 farms were devastated, with debris driven 4feet into the ground at one location. The roar was heard up to 10miles away. | Grazulis | ||
1873 | United States | Illinois | Warren County, Fulton County | 3 (28 injuries) | About a dozen farms were devastated with some homes reportedly swept away. | Grazulis | ||
1873 | United States | Kansas | Galesburg, Erie | 5 (9 injuries) | Homes were destroyed in Erie and rural Neosho County. | Grazulis | ||
1873 | United States | Illinois | Bear Creek Township | 1 (10 injuries) | Five farms were destroyed. At one site "not a stick of timber" remained in place. Witnesses initially mistook the tornado for smoke from a distant fire. | |||
1874 | United States | Alabama | Tuscumbia | 14 (30 injuries) | About a third of Tuscumbia was damaged or destroyed. Several people were injured when a trail derailed. | Grazulis | ||
1875 | United States | Georgia | Harris County, Talbot County | 11+ (25 injuries) | March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — Several plantations were destroyed, with 11 deaths on and near one of them. As many as 15 people may have died. | Grazulis | ||
1875 | United States | Georgia | Mount Airy (Harris County), Baughville | 9 (50 injuries) | March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — Six people died in one house. Baughville Academy was destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1875 | United States | Georgia, South Carolina | Sparta, Camak Appling (GA), Edgefield, South Carolina | 28+ (70 injuries) | March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — Nearly every building in Camak was damaged or destroyed. Dozens of farms were destroyed. As many as 42 people many have died. | Grazulis | ||
1875 | United States | Georgia | Gray, Milledgeville | 13+ (30 injuries) | March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — One person, presumed dead was still missing when the damage survey was conducted. Witnesses mistook the tornado for a large fire. | Grazulis | ||
1875 | United States | Alabama, Georgia | Opelika (Alabama), West Point, Whitesville | 7 (20 injuries) | March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — All deaths were in one family. An eyewitness account suggests this was a multiple vortex tornado. | Grazulis | ||
1875 | United States | Georgia | Sparta, Gibson | 8+ (40 injuries) | March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — Some deaths, attributed to another tornado, may have been from this one. | Grazulis | ||
1875 | United States | Georgia, South Carolina | Keysville (Georgia), Jackson New Ellenton, Williston (South Carolina) | 6+ (30 injuries) | March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak —About 40 homes were severely damaged in Richmond County, Georgia. One other person may have died. | Grazulis | ||
1875 | United States | Georgia | Rutledge, Maxeys, Greensboro | 7 (35 injuries) | "Prosperous" farms and a large plantation were destroyed. One house was carried 25yd and set down gently with the owner inside. | Grazulis | ||
1875 | United States | Illinois | Alexis, Galesburg, Wataga | 2+ (15 injuries) | A total of 25 farm homes and many farm buildings were damaged or destroyed. Three children, reported missing, may also have died. A dead steer was carried a mile (1.6 km). | Grazulis | ||
1875 | United States | Illinois | Knoxville, Truro Township, Millbrook Township, Jubilee Township, Radnor Township | 0 (40 injuries) | Farm homes and barns were destroyed. One child may have died. | Grazulis | ||
1876 | United States | Indiana | Petersburg, Glezen | 1 (15 injuries) | About 30 farms were damaged, at least two of which were leveled. | Grazulis | ||
1876 | United States | Missouri, Illinois | Elizabathtown, Hassard, Hannibal, Missouri | 14 (40 injuries) | The village of Elizabethtown was destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1876 | United States | Kansas | Fallon Township, Smoky View Township | 3 (13 injuries) | Fourteen farms were destroyed; one farm house was swept away. | Grazulis | ||
1876 | United States | Kansas | Lindsborg | unknown | All buildings on two farms were destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1877 | United States | Tennessee | Newberg, La Vergne | 10 (50 injuries) | Much of La Vergne was destroyed. Damage was more intense in valleys then on hilltops. | Grazulis | ||
1877 | United States | Illinois, Indiana | Mount Carmel, Illinois | 16+ (100 injuries) | Homes in Mount Carmel were swept away, and about 120 homes and businesses were destroyed. Some sources state that 30 people died. | Grazulis | ||
1877 | United States | Indiana | Brooklyn, Waverly, Mooresville | 7+ (20 injuries) | Homes were destroyed and entire farms were swept away. Two schools were destroyed; one was carried 50yd. | Grazulis | ||
1877 | United States | Pennsylvania | Parkesburg, Ercildoun | 2+ (25 injuries) | Four homes were destroyed in Parkesburg and twenty buildings, including a dormitory, were destroyed in Ercildoun. Debris was carried 9miles. | Grazulis | ||
1877 | United States | Indiana | Baugo Township | 2+ (11 injuries) | Eight homes were destroyed, two of which were leveled. | Grazulis | ||
1878 | United States | Kentucky | Rich Hill, Mount Olive | 8 (unknown injuries) | Homes were swept away. All seven members of one family were killed. | Grazulis | ||
1878 | United States | Kansas | Cottonwood Falls, Cottonwood Station | 4 (35 injuries) | Cottowood Station was destroyed. In all, 25 homes were destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1878 | United States | Nebraska, South Dakota | Olivet, South Dakota | unknown | Houses were leveled. A wagon was carried 2miles. | Grazulis | ||
1878 | United States | Iowa | Atlantic | 1 (2 injuries) | A house was destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1878 | United States | Iowa | Battle Creek, Ida Grove, Eureka Township, Hayes Township, Storm Lake | 10 (40 injuries) | Structures were destroyed along the track, including 15 homes at Storm Lake. | Grazulis | ||
1878 | United States | Iowa | Willow Creek Township, Wall Lake, Iowa, Sac City, Pomeroy | 17 (29 injuries) | Farm homes were destroyed. One house was reported carried 300feet. This event may have been a tornado family. | Grazulis | ||
1878 | United States | Wisconsin | Mifflin, Linden, Mineral Point, Lake Mendota | 17 (45 injuries) | Homes were destroyed as people were killed along a 55miles track. One person, carried by the tornado, survived by wrapping herself in a blanket. This event was likely a tornado family. | Grazulis | ||
1878 | United States | Missouri | Richmond | 16+ (90 injuries) | About a third of Richmond was destroyed. Some newspapers give a death toll of 21. | Grazulis | ||
1878 | United States | Iowa | Rockwell | 3 (unknown injuries) | Several buildings were destroyed. "No vestige remained" of one home. | Grazulis | ||
1878 | United States | Connecticut | Wallingford, Durham, Killingworth, | 34 (70 injuries) | 1878 Wallingford tornado — About 35 homes were destroyed. Pieces of paper were carried 65miles. | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Missouri | Fillmore, Barnard, Guilford, Conception, Alanthus Grove | unknown (20 injuries) | At least 15 farms were destroyed. A horse was carried 1000yd and survived. One of the injured may have later died. | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Kansas | Westfall, Milo | 1+ (10 injuries) | Some homes were left "with only fragments remaining." One other person may have died. | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Kansas | Minneapolis, Delphos, Aurora | 4 (30 injuries) | Chickens were stripped of feathers and carried up to 3miles. | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Kansas, Nebraska | Randolph, Irving (Kansas), Richardson County, Nebraska | 18 (60 injuries) | Thirty-four homes in Irving were destroyed. A cow survived being carried half a mile (0.8 km). A 100-ton iron bridge was "twisted into a shapeless ruin." May have been a tornado family. | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Missouri | West Line, Raymore, Lee's Summit | 4 (25 injuries) | A house was destroyed while a nearby chicken house was untouched. Four members of one family, caught in the open, were killed. May have been a tornado family. | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Kansas | Keats | 1 (4 injuries) | A house was destroyed with debris strewn for half a mile (0.8 km). | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Kansas | Asherville, Brittsville, Glasco | 1 (8 injuries) | Entire farms were destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Iowa | Fredonia Township, | 2 | Six farms were destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Minnesota | Wanamingo Township, Wastedo, Cannon Falls | 3 (8 injuries) | At least three farm houses were destroyed. All three deaths were in one home. | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Minnesota, Wisconsin | Belle Creek Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, Vasa, Burnside Township, Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin | 11 (30 injuries) | At least 12 farms were destroyed with one house carried away. Five of the deaths were at an orphanage. | Grazulis | ||
1879 | United States | Missouri | Renick | 1 (7 injuries) | Eight farms sustained severe damage; two were leveled. | Grazulis | ||
Sources: Grazulis |
Grazulis gave F4 ratings to 70 tornadoes that occurred in the United States in the 1880s, and noted one other tornado that might have caused F4 damage.
Day | Year | Country | Subdivision | Location | Fatalities | Notes | Rated by | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1880 | United States | Kansas | Girard | 4 (25 injuries) | Six farms were leveled and 17 homes sustained some manner of damage. | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Missouri | Rocky Comfort, Wheaton, McDowell, Ozark, Linden, Fordland Grovespring | 31 (100 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of April 1880 – The worst damage was north of Fordland. This tornado was on a parallel track to the Marshfield tornado, the next entry on this list, which was on the ground at the same time. | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Missouri | McDowell, Boaz, Springfield, Marshfield | 99+ (200 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of April 1880 – The greatest impact was in Marshfield, where 92 people were killed and all but 15 buildings in town were destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Missouri | Climax Springs, Barnett, Jefferson City, New Bloomfield | 14 (90 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of April 1880 – Numerous farms were devastated. Barnettsville was rebuilt as Barnett. | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Arkansas | El Paso | 4 (15 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of April 1880 – A third of El Paso was damaged for destroyed. Three of the deaths were in one family. | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Illinois | Jerseyville, Macoupin County | 1 (10 injuries) | About 25 homes were destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Illinois | Carlinville, Atwater | 0 (12 injuries) | Buildings were destroyed on two dozen farms; some were swept away. Trees were debarked. | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Mississippi | Macon | 22 (72 injuries) | Homes were swept away and loaded freight cars were thrown 100 yards. | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Illinois | Alsey, Pisgah | 7 (18 injuries) | Thirty buildings were destroyed. A body was carried a quarter mile (0.4 km). | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Texas | Savoy | 14 (60 injuries) | The business district and northeast section of Savoy were leveled. | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Iowa | Macedonia, Iowa, Grove Township | 7 (20 injuries) | Eight houses were destroyed, two of which were completely blown away. One was carried away while a nearby fence was undamaged. | Grazulis | ||
1880 | United States | Indiana | Fountaintown, Morristown, Carthage, Rushville | 4+ (20 injuries) | Seven farm houses were swept away. | Grazulis | ||
1881 | United States | Kansas | Solomon Rapids, Kansas, Beloit | 5 (30 injuries) | Farms were destroyed along most of the path. | Grazulis | ||
1881 | United States | Iowa | Norwalk, Avon, Colfax | 2 (6 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Two homes were completely blown away. Water from the Des Moines River was lifted 100feet in the air. | Grazulis | ||
1881 | United States | Kansas | Floral | 3 (22 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Twenty-eight homes were destroyed, many of which were leveled. | Grazulis | ||
1881 | United States | Missouri | Burlington, Clearmont | 2 (15 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Two farms were swept away. May have been F5. | Grazulis | ||
1881 | United States | Kansas | Olviet, Melvern, Quenemo, Richter | 5 (40 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Fifty homes and barns were destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1881 | United States | Missouri | Fillmore, Flag Springs, King City | 5 (20 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Eighty buildings were destroyed and many livestock were killed. | Grazulis | ||
1881 | United States | Iowa | Cherokee | 3 (20 injuries) | Homes were swept away. | Grazulis | ||
1881 | United States | Minnesota | Odessa, Fairfield, Correll | 4 (15 injuries) | Multiple farms were leveled. | Grazulis | ||
1881 | United States | Minnesota | Bird Island, Cairo Township, Wellington Township, West Newton, New Ulm | 20 (93 injuries) | This event was a complex tornado family rather than a single tornado. Five entire farms were swept away and 47 homes were destroyed in New Ulm. Grazulis applied a conservative F4 rating, but notes that it probably reached F5 intensity. | Grazulis | ||
1882 | United States | Kansas | Raymond, Chase | 4 (30 injuries) | About half of Chase was destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1882 | United States | Michigan | Kendall, Alamo, Hickory Corners | 1 (10 injuries) | Nine farms were damaged or destroyed | Grazulis | ||
1882 | United States | Michigan | Bedford, Assyria Township, Kalamo | 4 (25 injuries) | About a dozen homes were destroyed in Kalamo. At least 20 farms were damaged. | Grazulis | ||
1882 | United States | Michigan | Hartland, West Highland, Clyde | 3 (3 injuries) | Five homes were destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1882 | United States | Mississippi | Monticello | 10 (100 injuries) | All but three homes in Monticello were destroyed. Half the town's population was injured. | Grazulis | ||
1882 | United States | Georgia | Macon, Griswoldville Gordon | 2 (10 injuries) | Several homes were leveled. At least one well-built house was destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1882 | United States | Iowa | Ogden, Nevada | 1 (5 injuries) | A few farms were leveled. This tornado moved on a track parallel to a far deadlier F5 tornado that devastated Grinell during the same outbreak. | Grazulis | ||
1882 | United States | Iowa | Primghar, Peterson | 5 (50 injuries) | At least 50 buildings were destroyed on 20 farms and in the town of Primghar. | Grazulis | ||
1882 | United States | Nebraska | Brainard, Wahoo | 2 (2 injuries) | One farm was leveled and many others sustained F3 damage. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Iowa | Dunlap, Woodbine | 2 (10 injuries) | One home was leveled. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Mississippi | Brookhaven, Wesson, Beauregard, Georgetown | 56+ (300 injuries) | All of Beauregard and a large portion of Wesson were destroyed. The combined death toll of this and the Americus, Georgia tornado (listed below) may have been more than 100. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Georgia | Plains, Americus | 10+ (80 injuries) | Large homes were leveled with four people killed in one home. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Georgia | Albany, Isabella | 8 (50 injuries) | Three plantations were hit, with both tenant homes and main homes destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Texas | Belton, Heidenheimer | 5 (30 injuries) | Three homes were swept away and scattered for miles. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Indiana, Michigan | Vistula (Indiana), Sturgis, Burr Oak (Michigan) | 1 (10 injuries) | Twenty farms were hit, with homes and barns destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Illinois, Wisconsin | Capron, Alden (Illinois) | 4 (15 injuries) | Homes and barns were destroyed with "only fragments to show that any structure once stood there." | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Illinois | Whitehall, Greasy Prairie, Roodhouse | 8 (50 injuries) | Greasy Prairie was destroyed with some homes partially swept away. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Wisconsin | Brighton, Racine, Lake Michigan | 8 (85 injuries) | Fifty-eight homes in Racine were destroyed and two farm homes were swept away. An eyewitness described the tornado's multiple vortex structure as it moved over Lake Michigan. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Illinois | Springfield, Dawson, Buffalo, Mount Pulaski, Latham | 11 (50 injuries) | Many farms were leveled. Large timbers were carried half a mile and embedded 10 feet (3 m) in the ground. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Illinois | Jacksonville, Literberry, Philadelphia | 12 (50 injuries) | All of Literberry was destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Illinois | Shipman, Plainview | 5 (30 injuries) | A large home was leveled, with three deaths inside. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Indiana | Clay City, Patricksburg | 5+ (8 injuries) | At least four homes were swept away. There were unconfirmed rumors for two additional deaths. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Minnesota | Dodge Center, Kasson, Byron, Douglas | 3 (30 injuries) | Two of "the finest homes in the county" and six farms were leveled. This event likely consisted of at least two separate tornadoes. | Grazulis | ||
1883 | United States | Michigan | Eaton Rapids, Onondaga, Leslie | 3+ (15 injuries) | One house was destroyed with debris scattered for 3miles. One other person may have died. About 60 sheep were killed. | Grazulis | ||
1884 | United States | Alabama | Oxmoor, Leeds, Branchville | 13+ (30 injuries) | Enigma tornado outbreak – Thirty-six homes, many of them brick, were destroyed. Some foundations were reportedly blown away. Five other people may have died. | Grazulis | ||
1884 | United States | Georgia | Cartersville, Waleska, Jasper, Cagle, Tate | 22 (100 injuries) | Enigma tornado outbreak – Many large homes were leveled or swept away. Bodies were carried half a mile (0.8 km). | Grazulis | ||
1884 | United States | Alabama, Georgia | Jacksonville, Germania, Piedmont, Grantville, Goshen, Ladiga Adelia, Amberson, Rock Run (Alabama), Cave Spring (Georgia) | 30+ (100 injuries) | Enigma tornado outbreak – Some homes were swept away. A school was destroyed. Six of the injured may later have died. | Grazulis | ||
1884 | United States | North Carolina | Pee Dee, Philadelphia, Johnsonville | 23+ (100 injuries) | Enigma tornado outbreak – Philadelphia was "obliterated." Reports did not follow the fate of the injured. | Grazulis | ||
1884 | United States | South Dakota, Minnesota | Dell Rapids (South Dakota), Adrian | 4+ (15 injuries) | Whole farms were swept away. | Grazulis | ||
1884 | United States | South Dakota | Forestburg, Long Lake | 1 (1 injury) | At least one home was blown away. This event was captured in what is widely reported as the first-ever photograph of a tornado. However, another tornado was photographed 4 months earlier near Garnett, Kansas. | Grazulis | ||
1884 | United States | South Dakota | Alexandria | 4 (unknown injuries) | One farm was completely swept away, with four people and all livestock on the farm killed. | Grazulis | ||
1884 | United States | Minnesota, Wisconsin | Marine (Minnesota), Clear Lake, Star Prairie (Wisconsin) | 4 (75 injuries) | Several farms were destroyed and two people died in the destruction of a store. This event was a tornado family rather than a single tornado. | Grazulis | ||
1885 | United States | Alabama | Centerville, Jemison | 2 (20 injuries) | Large homes were swept away and large swaths of trees were leveled. This event was likely a tornado family. | Grazulis | ||
1885 | United States | Iowa | Grove Township, Roscoe Township | 3 (10 injuries) | Two farms were completely swept sway. | Grazulis | ||
1885 | United States | Alabama | Selma, Plantersville | 13 (400 injuries) | Many poorly-built homes were blown away. Trees were debarked. Crops were pulled out of the ground. | Grazulis | ||
1886 | United States | Iowa | Griswold, Atlantic, Brayton, Coon Rapids | 3 (18 injuries) | 1886 St. Cloud–Sauk Rapids tornado outbreak – About 70 farms houses were damaged or destroyed; some were completely swept off their foundations. A train was derailed, with the front cars thrown southward and the rear cars thrown northward while a car in the middle remained on the tracks. | Grazulis | ||
1886 | United States | Minnesota | St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Rice | 72 (213 injuries) | 1886 St. Cloud–Sauk Rapids tornado outbreak – Homes were swept away in St. Cloud, where 24 people died. Another 37 were killed in Sauk Rapids. Eleven died at a wedding party near Rice. The bottom of the Mississippi River was reportedly exposed. | Grazulis | ||
1886 | United States | Minnesota | Little Rock, Buckman, Pierz Township | 2 (7 injuries) | 1886 St. Cloud–Sauk Rapids tornado outbreak – Two farms were entirely swept away. | Grazulis | ||
1886 | United States | Missouri | Mound City, Skidmore, Burlington Junction | 6 (20 injuries) | 1886 St. Cloud–Sauk Rapids tornado outbreak – Four farm homes were leveled. | Grazulis | ||
1886 | United States | Texas | Rhome | 0 (13 injuries) | 1886 St. Cloud–Sauk Rapids tornado outbreak – Grazulis assigned an F3 rating but states that farms were "reportedly swept away in F4 or F5 fashion," but that there was not enough information to assign an F4 rating. One of the injured may later have died. | Grazulis | ||
1886 | United States | Illinois, Indiana | Armstrong, Alvin, Potomac, Rossville (Illinois) | 3 (10 injuries) | Two farm homes were swept away. | Grazulis | ||
1886 | United States | Indiana | Williamsport, Attica | 4 (20 injuries) | Thirty-five homes were destroyed in Attica. Witnesses reported that the tornado exposed the bottom of the Wabash River. | Grazulis | ||
1886 | United States | Ohio | Carpenter | 2 (3 injuries) | A large farm house was destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1886 | United States | Indiana, Ohio | Redkey Portland (Indiana), Fort Recovery, Wabash, Celina (Ohio) | 6 (20 injuries) | Farm houses were destroyed in both states. Most of the deaths were in farm houses that were leveled near Celina. There were reports of a large rafter carried 4miles. | Grazulis | ||
1887 | United States | Kansas, Missouri | Colony, Lone Elm, Kincaid, Blue Mound, Prescott (Kansas), Hume, Sprague, Rich Hill (Missouri) | 21+ (250 injuries) | About two thirds of Prescott, Kansas, where at least 12 people died, was damaged or destroyed. Farms were leveled in both Kansas and Missouri. | Grazulis | ||
1887 | United States | Missouri | Metz, Schell City | 3 (20 injuries) | At least 10 farm homes were destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1887 | United States | Illinois, Indiana | Bellmont, Mount Carmel (Illinois), Buena Vista (Indiana) | 5 (15 injuries) | Eight of the ten homes in Buena Vista were destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1888 | United States | Illinois | Vernon | 24 (80 injuries) | In places, the tornado left "no vestige of the shape of a building." About 350 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. | Grazulis | ||
1889 | United States | Kansas | Pratt, Stafford | 3 (30 injuries) | Five farmhouses, a school, and a church were destroyed and at least two farms were entirely swept away. | Grazulis | ||
1889 | United States | Kansas | Clements | 2 (4 injuries) | Ten farms were hit. Every building was blown away at one farm. | Grazulis | ||
Sources: Grazulis |
Day | Year | Country | Subdivision | Location | Fatalities | Notes | Rated by | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1890 | United States | Missouri, Kentucky | New Madrid (Missouri), Clinton (Kentucky) | 11 (53 injuries) | The tornado destroyed 75 buildings, including 55 homes, in Clinton with some small homes blown away. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Missouri, Illinois | Shawneetown (Missouri), Grand Tower, Poplar Ridge, Carbondale (Illinois) | 7 (80 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – Homes were leveled and swept away. Twenty-seven homes were destroyed in Grand Tower. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Missouri, Illinois | Thebes (Missouri), Mill Creek, Mount Pleasant (Illinois) | 2 (30 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – A few dozen farm homes and a school were destroyed. Chairs were carried 2miles. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Kentucky, Illinois | Metropolis, Bay City (Illinois), Blackford, Dixon, Sebree, Delaware, West Louisville (Kentucky) | 21+ (200 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – About 100 homes were damaged or destroyed in Metropolis, Illinois where water blown from the Ohio River reported reached rooftops. There were five deaths each in two families. Many deaths could not be confirmed and the death toll may have exceeded 31. The track crossed the Kentucky/Illinois state line twice and may have started in Missouri. It was likely a tornado family. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Kentucky, Indiana | Shively, Louisville (Kentucky), Jeffersonville (Indiana) | 76 (200 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – Homes were leveled in Shivley and multi-story buildings were destroyed in downtown Louisville. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Kentucky | Hartford, Sulphur Springs, Falls of Rough, Rineyville | 7 (40 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – Farm communities were destroyed and homes reportedly vanished. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Texas | Indian Gap | 0 (0 injuries) | Ten homes were leveled, but residents were able to take shelter in time because the large funnel was highly visible. There were rumors that a traveler was killed. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Missouri | Albany, Martinsville, Blythedale | 4 (20 injuries) | Twenty homes were destroyed. This event was likely a family of two tornadoes. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Nebraska | Bradshaw | 7+ (40 injuries) | All businesses and most homes in Bradshaw were damaged or destroyed. There were rumors of 10 additional deaths. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Iowa | Vincent, Thor, Renwick | 0 (2 injuries) | Grazulis assigned a conservative F3 rating, but states that damage could probably be rated F4. Two homes were destroyed and trees were debarked. One rumored death could not be confirmed. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Illinois | Amboy, Sublette, Illinois, West Brooklyn, Compton, Paw Paw | 13 (60 injuries) | At least 30 homes were destroyed and a school was leveled; six students and a teacher were killed. | Grazulis | ||
1890 | United States | Minnesota | Taunton, Ghent | 1+ (5 injuries) | Two farms were destroyed and chickens were carried more than 2miles. One other person may have died. | Grazulis | ||
1891 | United States | Missouri | Sturgeon, Centralia, Mexico, Rush Hill, Laddonia | 4 (35 injuries) | 1891 Missouri tornado – Homes were leveled, trees were debarked, and water was reportedly emptied from wells. There may have been a 9miles break in the path. | Grazulis | ||
1892 | United States | Kansas | South Haven, Wellington | 7+ (40 injuries) | Farms were destroyed. Four or five people died in one family when a reaper was thrown into a house | Grazulis | ||
1892 | United States | Kansas | Rose Hill, Towanda, DeGraff | 9+ (60 injuries) | Towanda was destroyed. There were unconfirmed reports of additional deaths. | Grazulis | ||
1892 | United States | Kansas | Wamego, Louisville | 5 (10 injuries) | A large home was leveled, resulting in four deaths. Elsewhere, one body was reportedly carried half a mile (0.8 km) | Grazulis | ||
1892 | United States | Oklahoma | Aaron, Altus | 5+ (25 injuries) | Two farms were completely swept away. One report stated that six people died. | Grazulis | ||
1892 | United States | Kansas | Attica, Kellogg, Harper, Wellington | 17 (100 injuries) | Many farms and a large section of Wellington were leveled. Many deaths were in the destruction of a hotel in Wellington. | Grazulis | ||
1892 | United States | Texas | Troy, Durango | 10 (20 injuries) | Nine people died in a single home that was blown away. One person in the house survived. | Grazulis | ||
1892 | United States | Texas | Atlanta, Queen City | 1 (25 injuries) | Farm houses and barns were blown away. The fatality was a child who was carried a quarter mile (0.4 km). | Grazulis | ||
1893 | United States | Georgia | Odessadale, Greenville | 8 (50 injuries) | All but three homes were destroyed in Odessadale and about 200 buildings were damaged or destroyed on the north side of Greenville, where six people were killed. | Grazulis | ||
1893 | United States | Missouri | Lenox, Bangert, Dry Fork, Jadwin | 12 (40 injuries) | Seven people died in homes swept away in Conroy, north of Salem, and four died in Jadwin. | Grazulis | ||
1893 | United States | Missouri | Mayview, Dover | 6 (20 injuries) | Farms were swept away with deaths in two homes. | Grazulis | ||
1893 | United States | Oklahoma | Langston, Perkins, Ripley, Oklahoma | 4 (25 injuries) | About 100 buildings were destroyed. Two people died in Langston and two in "Cimarron," which is a separate community from Cimarron City. | Grazulis | ||
1893 | United States | Oklahoma | Newcastle, Moore | 31 (100 injuries) | At least 30 lightly-built homes were swept away with 11 deaths in one home, 6 in another, and 4 in another. The tornado was reportedly over 1.25miles wide. It was the first of several intense tornadoes to strike Moore. One death from this event may have been from another tornado, and another death may have been from hail. | Grazulis | ||
1893 | United States | Texas, Oklahoma | Bonita (Texas) | 1 (11 injuries) | Nine homes were destroyed, two of which were leveled. All known damage was in Texas. | Grazulis | ||
1893 | United States | Oklahoma | Red Rock | 6 (20 injuries) | All deaths were in two homes in "Ponca," 12 miles south of the current location of Ponca City, Oklahoma. | Grazulis | ||
1893 | United States | Texas | Cisco | 23+ (150 injuries) | Every building in Cisco was severely damage or destroyed, leaving 1,500 people with no shelter of any kind. Only two buildings were left standing in downtown. An entire fully-loaded freight train was thrown NaNfeet. As many as 26 people may have died. | Grazulis | ||
1893 | United States | Kansas | Perry, Williamstown | 11 (30 injuries) | Thirty homes were severely damaged or destroyed, including six farm houses that were swept away. Six of nine people died in one family, with some bodies dismembered. | Grazulis | ||
1894 | United States | Texas | Emory | 4 (50 injuries) | Four homes and a bridge were swept away and every home west of the courthouse in Emory was damaged. Witnesses described the funnel as "forked at the bottom," indicating this was probably a multiple-vortex tornado. | Grazulis | ||
1894 | United States | Iowa | Iconium | 1 (5 injuries) | Five homes and a church were leveled. Three train cars loaded with coal were thrown 25 yards. | Grazulis | ||
1894 | United States | Ohio | Montpelier, Kunkle | 4 (5 injuries) | A few homes were swept away; all four deaths were in one home. One body was carried a quarter mile (400 m). The roar was heard several miles way. | Grazulis | ||
1894 | United States | Minnesota | Cosmos, Litchfield | 2 (6 injuries) | Grazulis assigned an F3 rating, but stated that damage to some farms may have been greater than F3. | Grazulis | ||
1894 | United States | Iowa | Wesley, Hayfield, Hanlontown | 25+ (60 injuries) | This and the next two entries were part of a complex outbreak, and the number and exact sequence of individual tornadoes are unclear. Grazulis assigned an F5 rating to an earlier member of the sequence. Dozens of farms were badly damaged or destroyed, with at least 10 completely leveled. | Grazulis | ||
1894 | United States | Iowa, Minnesota | Mason City, Osage (Iowa), Leroy, Spring Valley (Minnesota) | 16+ (70 injuries) | Farm houses were destroyed in Iowa. A total of 80 buildings were damaged or destroyed in Leroy and another 10 homes were destroyed in Spring Valley. | Grazulis | ||
1894 | United States | Iowa | Osage, Elma | 5 (25 injuries) | Five homes were destroyed in the Lowther area, north of Elma. | Grazulis | ||
Sources: Grazulis |
Day | Year | Country | Subdivision | Location | Fatalities | Notes | Rated by | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Illinois | Alexander, Pulaski, Cache | 1 (9 injuries) | A possible F4 tornado hit Alexander and Pulaski counties in Illinois. It moved northeast near Cache, passing across the north side of Mounds along its 13-mile path. Three homes were leveled in total, killing 1 and severely injuring 9. | Grazulis | ||||
Alabama | York, Livingston | 11 (63 injuries) | Tornado outbreak of February 12, 1945 — | Grazulis |
Day | Year | Country | Subdivision | Location | Fatalities | Notes | Rated by | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1950 | Germany | Rhineland-Palatinate | Andernach | 0 | Swirling utility poles marked the devastating path of the natural event. Heavy trunks had been swirled hundreds of meters away. Considerable damage occurred on a chicken farm and the beets were torn out of a field, meaning it was "probably F3 or F4 tornado?" | ESSL | ||
1951 | United States | Oklahoma | Corn | 0 | This is event is officially documented as a single F3 tornado, but photographs showed that there were actually two slow-moving tornadoes from one storm. Grazulis rated the larger one that hit Corn F4. It destroyed 25 homes and 22 farm buildings, damaged 80 additional homes and buildings, and killed 26 heads of hogs and cattle and 1,650 chickens. Objects picked up by the tornado was carried as far as 90miles away. Ample warning prior to the storm striking the towns resulted in no casualties from this tornado. This tornado was the first in the United States to be caught on film and was also one of the most photographed tornadoes in Oklahoma at the time. Grazulis rated the second tornado, which destroyed several barns before dissipating west of Corn, F2 and noted that it may have been anticyclonic. | Grazulis | ||
1951 | United States | Illinois | Heman | 0 | Tornado outbreak sequence of June 25–27, 1951 – The tornado is officially rated F3. Grazulis also rated the tornado F3, but noted that it caused "probable F4 damage." Two entire farms were "wiped out" near Heman. | Grazulis | ||
1953 | United States | Indiana | Newtown | 3 | The tornado is officially listed as a long-tracked F3 tornado, but it is listed by Grazulis as family of four tornadoes, the second of which he rated F4 based on the damage done north of Newtown. | Grazulis | ||
1953 | United States | Indiana | Fairview | 3 | The tornado is officially listed as a long-tracked F3 tornado, but it is listed by Grazulis as family of four tornadoes, the fourth of which he rated F4 based on the damage done near Fairview. Official records do not bring the tornado into Randolph County, where the damage reportedly took place. | Grazulis | ||
1953 | United States | Nebraska | Hebron | 5 | 1953 Waco tornado outbreak – The tornado is officially listed as an F3 and Grazulis also rated it F3. However, he noted that F4 damage may have occurred outside of Hebron where two of 13 homes were described as "leveled." The top of Hebron High School was also torn off. | Grazulis | ||
1953 | United States | Wisconsin | Amery | 4 | 1953 Waco tornado outbreak – This is officially listed as a long-tracked F2 tornado, but was more likely a family of tornadoes according to Grazulis, who rated the tornado F4 based on a swath of severe damage from east of New Richmond to near Amery. In all, 113 homes were damaged or destroyed and 215 other structures were affected by this tornado according to reports from local staff of the American Red Cross, although damage outside of the most severe damage in Amery was in sparsely populated areas and not well documented. | Grazulis | ||
1954 | United States | Missouri, Iowa | Siam (IA) | 0 | Official records list the storm as an F2 tornado, but it was rated F4 by Grazulis. At least two farm homes were leveled and swept away. The track of the tornado is incorrectly listed in the NCEI as only being in Taylor County, Iowa. | Grazulis | ||
1957 | United States | Minnesota | Glyndon, Riverton | 0 | Tornado outbreak sequence of June 20–23, 1957 – Three farms were destroyed with near-F5 damage to one home. Officially, this storm is listed as part of the track of the F5 tornado that hit Fargo, North Dakota, but a study by Fujita found the track to be a five-member tornado family, of which the Fargo tornado was the third and this one was the fourth. | Fujita, Grazulis | ||
United States | South Dakota | near Martin | Produced possible F5 damage over farmland north of Martin according to Grazulis, who rated the tornado as an F4. A church "disappeared" and one home "seemed to evaporate into the air." This tornado is listed as only F3 in the official database. | Grazulis | ||||
United States | Virginia | near South Boston | (injuries) | A six-room farmhouse was leveled, its debris strewn for acres. This tornado is listed as only F3 in the official database, but was rated F4 by Grazulis. | Grazulis | |||
Japan | Chiba Prefecture | Mobara | (injuries)[24] | A house was lifted off its foundation and disintegrated, and steel rods at a construction site were bent down to the ground. Video analysis indicated wind speeds of 930NaN0 at 120m (390feet) above ground level.[25] Fujita's analysis would make this the first record of an F4 tornado in Japan.[26] | Fujita | |||
Jan 18 | 2007 | Germany | Brandenburg | Lauchhammer | 0 (1 injury) | A long-tracked tornado which was officially rated high-end F3/T7 hit multiple villages in eastern Germany. Four buildings were levelled completely in Kahla, and surveyors noted possible T8 damage in some locations, which equals F4 damage. | ESSL | |
United States | Kansas | near Bennington | Tornado outbreak of May 26–31, 2013 – A large, very slow-moving, and erratic wedge tornado remained over mostly farm lands. Numerous outbuildings were destroyed, farm equipment was damaged, and power poles and trees were downed. It was initially rated EF4 based on DOW wind measurements showing that tornado had winds in the EF4-EF5 range, but was downgraded since none of the damage indicators were over EF3. However, it was acknowledged that the tornado was likely at least EF4 intensity at some point in its life. | NCEI | ||||
United States | Texas, Oklahoma | Hardeman, Wilbarger (Texas), Jackson (Oklahoma), Tillman, Kiowa | Multiple-vortex wedge tornado. Metal buildings, outbuildings, and trees sustained major damage or were destroyed. Power poles were broken and a few homes were damaged as well. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, video and radar evidence suggest that this was likely a violent (EF4 or stronger) tornado over a sparsely populated area.[27] | NCEI | ||||
2019 | United States | Mississippi | Greenwood Springs | 0 | Tornado outbreak of April 13–15, 2019 – This EF2 tornado tracked through wooded areas and downed numerous trees. A few homes sustained roof damage as well. In a later analysis published in the Monthly Weather Review, it was noted that, "this tornado produced forest devastation and electrical infrastructure damage up to at least EF4 intensity" with winds up to 182 mph. | Anthony W. Lyza, Barrett T. Goudeau, Kevin R. Knupp | ||
2022 | United States | Louisiana | Gretna, Arabi, New Orleans | 2 | Tornado outbreak of March 21–23, 2022#Gretna–Arabi–New Orleans East, Louisiana – A study published in the Journal of Structural Engineering in 2024 about the performance of hurricane-resistant structures in this EF3 tornado discovered failure points of damaged structures suggesting high-end EF3 to EF4 peak intensity.[28] | American Society of Civil Engineers |