GITNUXREPORT 2026

Tornado Statistics

Supercell thunderstorms with strong wind shear produce most violent tornadoes in the United States.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Average fatalities per U.S. tornado: 0.5, but 70% from EF4+.

Statistic 2

Annual U.S. tornado deaths: 70 average (1950-2020).

Statistic 3

2011 Super Outbreak: 324 deaths from 360 tornadoes.

Statistic 4

Mobile homes: 55% of tornado deaths occur here despite 10% population.

Statistic 5

Nighttime tornadoes (0001-0600 LST): 40% deadlier.

Statistic 6

Vehicle deaths: 25% of total, advise shelter in place.

Statistic 7

Indoor safe room survival rate: 99% vs. 40% in homes.

Statistic 8

Children under 5: 15% of fatalities disproportionately.

Statistic 9

Elderly (65+): 20% of deaths despite 15% population.

Statistic 10

Males 20-40: Highest risk group at 30% fatalities.

Statistic 11

Warning lead time avg. 14 min (2017-2021), reduced deaths 80%.

Statistic 12

Deaf/hard-of-hearing: 10x higher fatality rate.

Statistic 13

Basement survival: 90% if anchored properly.

Statistic 14

1925 Tri-State: 695 deaths, no warnings.

Statistic 15

Non-U.S. deaths higher: Bangladesh 1989 Daulatpur 1,300.

Statistic 16

Injury rate: 10 per tornado event avg.

Statistic 17

Heart attacks post-tornado: 5% of elderly deaths.

Statistic 18

Pets: 20% of household deaths in path.

Statistic 19

School evacuations save 95% potential casualties.

Statistic 20

Rural areas: 2x fatality rate vs. urban due to response time.

Statistic 21

Carbon monoxide poisoning post-event: 10 deaths/year.

Statistic 22

Hypothermia in debris: 5% winter tornado deaths.

Statistic 23

Drowning in flood-tornado combo: 15% Southeast deaths.

Statistic 24

Siren effectiveness: 70% hearing rate in suburbs.

Statistic 25

Apps/noaa radio: 90% awareness boost.

Statistic 26

Average annual U.S. tornado damage: $1-2 billion.

Statistic 27

2011 Joplin MO tornado damage: $2.8 billion, 158 deaths.

Statistic 28

EF5 tornadoes cause 70% of total tornado economic losses despite rarity.

Statistic 29

Average cost per mile of tornado path: $5-10 million for EF2+.

Statistic 30

1999 Oklahoma outbreak: $1 billion damage across 60+ tornadoes.

Statistic 31

Manufactured homes account for 50% of tornado damage claims.

Statistic 32

Crop damage from tornadoes averages $200 million/year U.S.

Statistic 33

Power outages from tornadoes affect 1-5 million customers/outbreak.

Statistic 34

2013 Moore OK EF5: $2 billion damage, homes swept clean.

Statistic 35

Insurance payouts for tornadoes: $9.5 billion in 2011 peak year.

Statistic 36

Vehicles destroyed: 15,000 in 2011 Super Outbreak.

Statistic 37

Infrastructure damage: Bridges/roads $500 million/year avg.

Statistic 38

2021 Western Kentucky tornado: $1 billion+ damage over 165 miles.

Statistic 39

Schools damaged/destroyed: 200+ in major outbreaks since 2000.

Statistic 40

Timber losses: 10 million trees/year from U.S. tornadoes.

Statistic 41

Hospital damage claims: $100 million in 2011 Joplin alone.

Statistic 42

Retail losses: $500 million from inventory destruction yearly avg.

Statistic 43

FEMA disaster declarations for tornadoes: 100/year avg.

Statistic 44

Rebuilding costs double in inflation-adjusted terms post-2000.

Statistic 45

Wind turbines damaged: 50+ since 2010 by EF2+ tornadoes.

Statistic 46

Livestock losses: 10,000 animals/year from tornado swaths.

Statistic 47

Airport runway closures: 100 days/year from debris.

Statistic 48

Communication towers downed: 200/year, costing $50 million.

Statistic 49

Water/sewer infrastructure: $200 million repairs annually.

Statistic 50

Historical sites damaged: 50+ since 1950, e.g., Gettysburg 2004.

Statistic 51

Supercell thunderstorms, characterized by a mesocyclone, produce approximately 70% of all significant tornadoes (EF2 or stronger) in the United States.

Statistic 52

Vertical wind shear exceeding 40 knots over a 6 km depth is a primary ingredient for tornado formation in the Great Plains.

Statistic 53

Rear-flank downdraft (RFD) occlusion often triggers tornadogenesis by focusing low-level rotation into a funnel.

Statistic 54

Drylines, boundaries between moist Gulf air and dry air from the southwest deserts, initiate 20-30% of Plains supercells leading to tornadoes.

Statistic 55

CAPE values above 2000 J/kg combined with low LCL heights under 1000m favor intense tornado production.

Statistic 56

Non-supercell tornadoes, like those from gust fronts, comprise about 20% of all U.S. tornadoes and form without mesocyclones.

Statistic 57

Waterspouts, a type of tornado over water, form in 80% of cases from cumulus congestus clouds via boundary layer convergence.

Statistic 58

Landspouts develop from pre-existing vorticity stretched by updrafts, lacking mid-level rotation, and occur in 10-15% of high plains tornadoes.

Statistic 59

Tornadoes require low-level helicity (SRH) greater than 150 m²/s² for sustained rotation intensification.

Statistic 60

Buoyancy-driven updrafts exceeding 40 m/s in supercells provide the stretch for tornadogenesis.

Statistic 61

Frontal boundaries enhance tornado formation by providing focused convergence, contributing to 25% of springtime events.

Statistic 62

Mesovortices within quasi-linear convective systems (QLCS) produce 30% of nocturnal tornadoes via horizontal roll vortices.

Statistic 63

Instability from surface dewpoints above 60°F (15.5°C) is present in 95% of violent tornado cases.

Statistic 64

Tornado vortex signatures (TVS) on Doppler radar indicate rotation with velocities >50 knots at 0.5° tilt.

Statistic 65

Warm conveyor belts in extratropical cyclones supply moisture for 15% of cool-season tornado outbreaks.

Statistic 66

Multi-vortex tornadoes feature 2-10 sub-vortices rotating around a main funnel, seen in 20% of EF4+ events.

Statistic 67

Satellite-derived overshooting tops >50,000 ft correlate with 40% higher tornadic probability.

Statistic 68

Low-level jet streams at 30-40 knots provide shear for 60% of nocturnal supercell tornadoes.

Statistic 69

Dust devils, weak non-mesocyclonic vortices, form via daytime heating with winds <20 knots.

Statistic 70

EF0 tornadoes often form from misovortices in bow echoes, with paths under 1 mile.

Statistic 71

Tilted updrafts in supercells misalign streamwise vorticity, inhibiting 30% of potential tornadoes.

Statistic 72

Oceanic tropical cyclones spawn 5% of U.S. tornadoes via inner-core vorticity.

Statistic 73

Fire whirls in wildfires mimic tornado dynamics with updrafts >100 ft tall.

Statistic 74

Gustnadoes form at thunderstorm gust fronts with translational speeds >40 mph.

Statistic 75

Polar lows over Arctic seas produce rare tornadoes via symmetric convection.

Statistic 76

Dynamic pipe effect in tornadoes sustains >200 mph winds via pressure drop.

Statistic 77

Corner flow regions in simulated tornadoes generate peak tangential winds.

Statistic 78

Hydrometeor loading reduces updrafts, suppressing tornadoes in 25% of supercells.

Statistic 79

Baroclinic zones along outflow boundaries spawn 40% of weak tornadoes.

Statistic 80

Acoustic signatures of tornadoes include infrasound frequencies 10-100 Hz.

Statistic 81

The United States experiences an average of 1,200 tornadoes per year, with peaks in spring and early summer.

Statistic 82

Tornado Alley, spanning Texas to South Dakota, accounts for 40% of U.S. tornadoes.

Statistic 83

Texas records the highest annual tornado count at 140-155 events.

Statistic 84

Kansas averages 87 tornadoes yearly, with 60% EF0-EF1.

Statistic 85

Oklahoma sees 68 tornadoes per year on average, peaking in May.

Statistic 86

Florida leads in winter tornadoes with 50+ annually due to sea breeze convergence.

Statistic 87

Dixie Alley (Southeast U.S.) has increased nocturnal tornadoes, 30% of violent ones.

Statistic 88

Iowa averages 53 tornadoes yearly, with paths averaging 6.2 miles.

Statistic 89

Nebraska reports 45 tornadoes per year, 25% in June.

Statistic 90

Missouri has 45 tornadoes annually, highest in April-May.

Statistic 91

Illinois averages 54 tornadoes, with Chicago metro seeing urban events.

Statistic 92

Indiana records 32 tornadoes yearly, peaking in spring.

Statistic 93

Ohio averages 20 tornadoes, mostly EF0-EF1 in summer.

Statistic 94

Globally, Bangladesh has the highest tornado density outside U.S. at 0.84 per 1000 km².

Statistic 95

Europe reports 300 tornadoes yearly, mostly weak, in UK/Germany/Netherlands.

Statistic 96

Australia averages 30-40 tornadoes annually, strongest in New South Wales.

Statistic 97

Canada sees 50-100 tornadoes yearly, concentrated in Ontario and Prairies.

Statistic 98

Argentina's Pampas region has 300+ tornadoes per decade, similar to U.S. Plains.

Statistic 99

Southeast U.S. (Alabama, Mississippi) averages 50 tornadoes/state/year.

Statistic 100

Peak tornado hour is 5-6 PM local time, accounting for 30% of events.

Statistic 101

May is the most active month with 20% of annual U.S. tornadoes.

Statistic 102

Gulf Coast states see 10% of tornadoes in December-February.

Statistic 103

High Plains (TX/KS/NE) host 50% of EF3+ tornadoes.

Statistic 104

Urban areas like Dallas-Fort Worth average 5 tornadoes/decade.

Statistic 105

Tornado frequency increased 20% from 1950-2020 in Southeast U.S.

Statistic 106

Russia reports 20-30 tornadoes yearly, strongest in Southern Urals.

Statistic 107

South Africa averages 15 tornadoes/year, mostly in summer.

Statistic 108

New Zealand sees 10-20 tornadoes annually, from sea breezes.

Statistic 109

China reports 100+ tornadoes yearly, peaking in Yangtze basin.

Statistic 110

Japan has 20-40 tornadoes/year, often with typhoons.

Statistic 111

UK averages 33 tornadoes/year, longest in Europe at 1 km avg path.

Statistic 112

Netherlands reports 60-80 waterspouts/tornadoes yearly.

Statistic 113

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale rates tornadoes from EF0 (65-85 mph) to EF5 (>200 mph).

Statistic 114

EF5 tornadoes, with winds >200 mph, occur 1% of U.S. tornadoes but cause 30% fatalities.

Statistic 115

The 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore EF5 had radar-measured 301 mph winds, world record.

Statistic 116

Average U.S. tornado intensity is EF1, with 65-85 mph winds.

Statistic 117

EF4 tornadoes (>166 mph) average 10-15 per year in U.S.

Statistic 118

Path width for EF5 averages 1 mile (1.6 km), widest recorded 2.6 miles.

Statistic 119

El Reno, OK 2013 tornado path was 2.6 miles wide, longest EF3 at 174 mph.

Statistic 120

Manchester, SD 2003 EF5 had 45-mile path length.

Statistic 121

Tri-State Tornado 1925 traveled 219 miles across MO-IL-IN, EF5 equivalent.

Statistic 122

Only 50 EF5 tornadoes officially rated since 1950 in U.S.

Statistic 123

Average path length all tornadoes: 3.5 miles (5.6 km).

Statistic 124

Widest tornado: El Reno 2013 at 2.6 miles (4.2 km).

Statistic 125

Longest path: Tri-State 1925 at 219 miles (352 km).

Statistic 126

Deadliest U.S. tornado: Tri-State 1925 with 695 deaths.

Statistic 127

Costliest: 2011 Joplin MO EF5 at $2.8 billion.

Statistic 128

EF0 tornadoes (65-85 mph) comprise 75% of all reports.

Statistic 129

Radar wind max in tornadoes rarely exceeds 250 mph due to Doppler limits.

Statistic 130

Fujita Scale predecessor rated F5 at >261 mph, now EF5 >200 mph.

Statistic 131

2011 Super Outbreak produced 4 EF5s, most in 24 hrs.

Statistic 132

Average forward speed: 30 mph (48 km/h), fastest 70 mph.

Statistic 133

Greensburg KS 2007 EF5 destroyed 95% of town, 1.7 mile width.

Statistic 134

Moore OK 2013 EF5 path 17 miles, winds 210 mph.

Statistic 135

Hesston KS 1990 EF5 had multiple vortices, 47-mile path.

Statistic 136

Jarrell TX 1997 EF5 slow-moving 20 mph, extreme ground scour.

Statistic 137

Mulvane KS 1991 EF5 family produced 4 violent tornadoes.

Statistic 138

Average duration: 9 minutes, longest 4+ hours (Union City 1974).

Statistic 139

1965 Palm Sunday outbreak had 2 F4s with 60 mph winds sustained.

Statistic 140

World record wind: 302.9 mph in El Reno 2013 (mobile radar).

Statistic 141

EF3 threshold: 136-165 mph, averages 20/year U.S.

Statistic 142

1974 Super Outbreak: 30 F4/F5, 148 tornadoes total.

1/142

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While a tornado may look like a simple, terrifying funnel, its genesis is an intricate atmospheric recipe requiring a precise and explosive mix of ingredients, as revealed by statistics showing that supercell thunderstorms produce 70% of all significant U.S. tornadoes and that certain conditions like high wind shear and CAPE values are critical for their formation.

Key Takeaways

Supercell thunderstorms, characterized by a mesocyclone, produce approximately 70% of all significant tornadoes (EF2 or stronger) in the United States.
Vertical wind shear exceeding 40 knots over a 6 km depth is a primary ingredient for tornado formation in the Great Plains.
Rear-flank downdraft (RFD) occlusion often triggers tornadogenesis by focusing low-level rotation into a funnel.
The United States experiences an average of 1,200 tornadoes per year, with peaks in spring and early summer.
Tornado Alley, spanning Texas to South Dakota, accounts for 40% of U.S. tornadoes.
Texas records the highest annual tornado count at 140-155 events.
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale rates tornadoes from EF0 (65-85 mph) to EF5 (>200 mph).
EF5 tornadoes, with winds >200 mph, occur 1% of U.S. tornadoes but cause 30% fatalities.
The 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore EF5 had radar-measured 301 mph winds, world record.
Average annual U.S. tornado damage: $1-2 billion.
2011 Joplin MO tornado damage: $2.8 billion, 158 deaths.
EF5 tornadoes cause 70% of total tornado economic losses despite rarity.
Average fatalities per U.S. tornado: 0.5, but 70% from EF4+.
Annual U.S. tornado deaths: 70 average (1950-2020).
2011 Super Outbreak: 324 deaths from 360 tornadoes.

Supercell thunderstorms with strong wind shear produce most violent tornadoes in the United States.

Casualties and Safety

Average fatalities per U.S. tornado: 0.5, but 70% from EF4+.
Annual U.S. tornado deaths: 70 average (1950-2020).
2011 Super Outbreak: 324 deaths from 360 tornadoes.
Mobile homes: 55% of tornado deaths occur here despite 10% population.
Nighttime tornadoes (0001-0600 LST): 40% deadlier.
Vehicle deaths: 25% of total, advise shelter in place.
Indoor safe room survival rate: 99% vs. 40% in homes.
Children under 5: 15% of fatalities disproportionately.
Elderly (65+): 20% of deaths despite 15% population.
Males 20-40: Highest risk group at 30% fatalities.
Warning lead time avg. 14 min (2017-2021), reduced deaths 80%.
Deaf/hard-of-hearing: 10x higher fatality rate.
Basement survival: 90% if anchored properly.
1925 Tri-State: 695 deaths, no warnings.
Non-U.S. deaths higher: Bangladesh 1989 Daulatpur 1,300.
Injury rate: 10 per tornado event avg.
Heart attacks post-tornado: 5% of elderly deaths.
Pets: 20% of household deaths in path.
School evacuations save 95% potential casualties.
Rural areas: 2x fatality rate vs. urban due to response time.
Carbon monoxide poisoning post-event: 10 deaths/year.
Hypothermia in debris: 5% winter tornado deaths.
Drowning in flood-tornado combo: 15% Southeast deaths.
Siren effectiveness: 70% hearing rate in suburbs.
Apps/noaa radio: 90% awareness boost.

Casualties and Safety Interpretation

The numbers show that our greatest vulnerability to tornadoes lies not in their raw power, but in where we are and what we're in when they strike, making proper shelter a matter of life and starkly unequal death.

Damage and Economic Impact

Average annual U.S. tornado damage: $1-2 billion.
2011 Joplin MO tornado damage: $2.8 billion, 158 deaths.
EF5 tornadoes cause 70% of total tornado economic losses despite rarity.
Average cost per mile of tornado path: $5-10 million for EF2+.
1999 Oklahoma outbreak: $1 billion damage across 60+ tornadoes.
Manufactured homes account for 50% of tornado damage claims.
Crop damage from tornadoes averages $200 million/year U.S.
Power outages from tornadoes affect 1-5 million customers/outbreak.
2013 Moore OK EF5: $2 billion damage, homes swept clean.
Insurance payouts for tornadoes: $9.5 billion in 2011 peak year.
Vehicles destroyed: 15,000 in 2011 Super Outbreak.
Infrastructure damage: Bridges/roads $500 million/year avg.
2021 Western Kentucky tornado: $1 billion+ damage over 165 miles.
Schools damaged/destroyed: 200+ in major outbreaks since 2000.
Timber losses: 10 million trees/year from U.S. tornadoes.
Hospital damage claims: $100 million in 2011 Joplin alone.
Retail losses: $500 million from inventory destruction yearly avg.
FEMA disaster declarations for tornadoes: 100/year avg.
Rebuilding costs double in inflation-adjusted terms post-2000.
Wind turbines damaged: 50+ since 2010 by EF2+ tornadoes.
Livestock losses: 10,000 animals/year from tornado swaths.
Airport runway closures: 100 days/year from debris.
Communication towers downed: 200/year, costing $50 million.
Water/sewer infrastructure: $200 million repairs annually.
Historical sites damaged: 50+ since 1950, e.g., Gettysburg 2004.

Damage and Economic Impact Interpretation

Behind the staggering billions in property losses lies the brutal reality that tornadoes, while fleeting, leave behind a financial and human toll measured in leveled towns, destroyed crops, and lives upended, proving that nature's most violent winds carry an almost calculable price for their chaos.

Formation and Meteorology

Supercell thunderstorms, characterized by a mesocyclone, produce approximately 70% of all significant tornadoes (EF2 or stronger) in the United States.
Vertical wind shear exceeding 40 knots over a 6 km depth is a primary ingredient for tornado formation in the Great Plains.
Rear-flank downdraft (RFD) occlusion often triggers tornadogenesis by focusing low-level rotation into a funnel.
Drylines, boundaries between moist Gulf air and dry air from the southwest deserts, initiate 20-30% of Plains supercells leading to tornadoes.
CAPE values above 2000 J/kg combined with low LCL heights under 1000m favor intense tornado production.
Non-supercell tornadoes, like those from gust fronts, comprise about 20% of all U.S. tornadoes and form without mesocyclones.
Waterspouts, a type of tornado over water, form in 80% of cases from cumulus congestus clouds via boundary layer convergence.
Landspouts develop from pre-existing vorticity stretched by updrafts, lacking mid-level rotation, and occur in 10-15% of high plains tornadoes.
Tornadoes require low-level helicity (SRH) greater than 150 m²/s² for sustained rotation intensification.
Buoyancy-driven updrafts exceeding 40 m/s in supercells provide the stretch for tornadogenesis.
Frontal boundaries enhance tornado formation by providing focused convergence, contributing to 25% of springtime events.
Mesovortices within quasi-linear convective systems (QLCS) produce 30% of nocturnal tornadoes via horizontal roll vortices.
Instability from surface dewpoints above 60°F (15.5°C) is present in 95% of violent tornado cases.
Tornado vortex signatures (TVS) on Doppler radar indicate rotation with velocities >50 knots at 0.5° tilt.
Warm conveyor belts in extratropical cyclones supply moisture for 15% of cool-season tornado outbreaks.
Multi-vortex tornadoes feature 2-10 sub-vortices rotating around a main funnel, seen in 20% of EF4+ events.
Satellite-derived overshooting tops >50,000 ft correlate with 40% higher tornadic probability.
Low-level jet streams at 30-40 knots provide shear for 60% of nocturnal supercell tornadoes.
Dust devils, weak non-mesocyclonic vortices, form via daytime heating with winds <20 knots.
EF0 tornadoes often form from misovortices in bow echoes, with paths under 1 mile.
Tilted updrafts in supercells misalign streamwise vorticity, inhibiting 30% of potential tornadoes.
Oceanic tropical cyclones spawn 5% of U.S. tornadoes via inner-core vorticity.
Fire whirls in wildfires mimic tornado dynamics with updrafts >100 ft tall.
Gustnadoes form at thunderstorm gust fronts with translational speeds >40 mph.
Polar lows over Arctic seas produce rare tornadoes via symmetric convection.
Dynamic pipe effect in tornadoes sustains >200 mph winds via pressure drop.
Corner flow regions in simulated tornadoes generate peak tangential winds.
Hydrometeor loading reduces updrafts, suppressing tornadoes in 25% of supercells.
Baroclinic zones along outflow boundaries spawn 40% of weak tornadoes.
Acoustic signatures of tornadoes include infrasound frequencies 10-100 Hz.

Formation and Meteorology Interpretation

Mother Nature’s most devastating temper tantrum begins when a restless supercell, after gorging itself on moist air and violent wind shear, finally focuses its fury into a single, spinning funnel through a precise and deadly choreography of forces.

Geographical Distribution

The United States experiences an average of 1,200 tornadoes per year, with peaks in spring and early summer.
Tornado Alley, spanning Texas to South Dakota, accounts for 40% of U.S. tornadoes.
Texas records the highest annual tornado count at 140-155 events.
Kansas averages 87 tornadoes yearly, with 60% EF0-EF1.
Oklahoma sees 68 tornadoes per year on average, peaking in May.
Florida leads in winter tornadoes with 50+ annually due to sea breeze convergence.
Dixie Alley (Southeast U.S.) has increased nocturnal tornadoes, 30% of violent ones.
Iowa averages 53 tornadoes yearly, with paths averaging 6.2 miles.
Nebraska reports 45 tornadoes per year, 25% in June.
Missouri has 45 tornadoes annually, highest in April-May.
Illinois averages 54 tornadoes, with Chicago metro seeing urban events.
Indiana records 32 tornadoes yearly, peaking in spring.
Ohio averages 20 tornadoes, mostly EF0-EF1 in summer.
Globally, Bangladesh has the highest tornado density outside U.S. at 0.84 per 1000 km².
Europe reports 300 tornadoes yearly, mostly weak, in UK/Germany/Netherlands.
Australia averages 30-40 tornadoes annually, strongest in New South Wales.
Canada sees 50-100 tornadoes yearly, concentrated in Ontario and Prairies.
Argentina's Pampas region has 300+ tornadoes per decade, similar to U.S. Plains.
Southeast U.S. (Alabama, Mississippi) averages 50 tornadoes/state/year.
Peak tornado hour is 5-6 PM local time, accounting for 30% of events.
May is the most active month with 20% of annual U.S. tornadoes.
Gulf Coast states see 10% of tornadoes in December-February.
High Plains (TX/KS/NE) host 50% of EF3+ tornadoes.
Urban areas like Dallas-Fort Worth average 5 tornadoes/decade.
Tornado frequency increased 20% from 1950-2020 in Southeast U.S.
Russia reports 20-30 tornadoes yearly, strongest in Southern Urals.
South Africa averages 15 tornadoes/year, mostly in summer.
New Zealand sees 10-20 tornadoes annually, from sea breezes.
China reports 100+ tornadoes yearly, peaking in Yangtze basin.
Japan has 20-40 tornadoes/year, often with typhoons.
UK averages 33 tornadoes/year, longest in Europe at 1 km avg path.
Netherlands reports 60-80 waterspouts/tornadoes yearly.

Geographical Distribution Interpretation

Despite holding a commanding lead in the global tornado count, the United States humbly reminds its citizens that peak season is essentially a nationwide, spring-through-summer invitation to abruptly reconsider your basement's decor, with RSVPs particularly strong from Tornado Alley and a growing guest list in the Southeast.

Intensity Scales and Records

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale rates tornadoes from EF0 (65-85 mph) to EF5 (>200 mph).
EF5 tornadoes, with winds >200 mph, occur 1% of U.S. tornadoes but cause 30% fatalities.
The 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore EF5 had radar-measured 301 mph winds, world record.
Average U.S. tornado intensity is EF1, with 65-85 mph winds.
EF4 tornadoes (>166 mph) average 10-15 per year in U.S.
Path width for EF5 averages 1 mile (1.6 km), widest recorded 2.6 miles.
El Reno, OK 2013 tornado path was 2.6 miles wide, longest EF3 at 174 mph.
Manchester, SD 2003 EF5 had 45-mile path length.
Tri-State Tornado 1925 traveled 219 miles across MO-IL-IN, EF5 equivalent.
Only 50 EF5 tornadoes officially rated since 1950 in U.S.
Average path length all tornadoes: 3.5 miles (5.6 km).
Widest tornado: El Reno 2013 at 2.6 miles (4.2 km).
Longest path: Tri-State 1925 at 219 miles (352 km).
Deadliest U.S. tornado: Tri-State 1925 with 695 deaths.
Costliest: 2011 Joplin MO EF5 at $2.8 billion.
EF0 tornadoes (65-85 mph) comprise 75% of all reports.
Radar wind max in tornadoes rarely exceeds 250 mph due to Doppler limits.
Fujita Scale predecessor rated F5 at >261 mph, now EF5 >200 mph.
2011 Super Outbreak produced 4 EF5s, most in 24 hrs.
Average forward speed: 30 mph (48 km/h), fastest 70 mph.
Greensburg KS 2007 EF5 destroyed 95% of town, 1.7 mile width.
Moore OK 2013 EF5 path 17 miles, winds 210 mph.
Hesston KS 1990 EF5 had multiple vortices, 47-mile path.
Jarrell TX 1997 EF5 slow-moving 20 mph, extreme ground scour.
Mulvane KS 1991 EF5 family produced 4 violent tornadoes.
Average duration: 9 minutes, longest 4+ hours (Union City 1974).
1965 Palm Sunday outbreak had 2 F4s with 60 mph winds sustained.
World record wind: 302.9 mph in El Reno 2013 (mobile radar).
EF3 threshold: 136-165 mph, averages 20/year U.S.
1974 Super Outbreak: 30 F4/F5, 148 tornadoes total.

Intensity Scales and Records Interpretation

While EF5 tornadoes are nature's rare and monstrous exclamation points—comprising a mere 1% of events but claiming 30% of lives—their catastrophic rarity underscores a sobering truth: when the sky decides to write with a pen one mile wide, it drafts a tragedy in permanent ink.

Sources & References

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