Emily Flores
Tornadoes do more than tear through landscapes—they alter history in ways that can’t be forgotten. Across the U.S., these massive storms have erased neighborhoods, shaken entire regions, and changed how people see the forces of nature. Here are 20 of the deadliest tornadoes ever recorded in the nation’s history.
The Tri-State Tornado: Missouri, Illinois, And Indiana (1925)
The deadliest tornado in U.S. history ripped through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana in 1925. The storm took 695 lives and injured thousands, completely flattening entire communities. This mile-wide monster moved at incredible speeds, like sheet metal, up to 50 miles away.
Gainesville Tornado: Georgia (1936)
In 1936, twin tornadoes devastated Gainesville, Georgia’s downtown area in one of the Southeast’s worst natural disasters. The Cooper Pants Factory collapsed and burned, and over 70 workers lost their lives in the tragedy. Numerous other businesses and government buildings were destroyed, making this Georgia’s deadliest tornado on record.
St. Louis–East St. Louis Tornado: Missouri And Illinois (1896)
The St. Louis-East St. Louis storm of 1896 resulted in 255 fatalities as it caused immense destruction on both sides of the Mississippi River. The wind damage sparked city-wide fires, which then spread quickly. This disaster is known for having some of the earliest tornado photography.
The Super Outbreak: 13 States (1974)
A barrage of 148 tornadoes tore across 13 states in a short 16-hour period during the April 1974 “Super Outbreak.” It was a chaotic event that resulted in over 300 deaths. The Brandenburg, Kentucky, F5 wiped out much of the town, and some areas were even hit twice by different tornadoes.
Joplin Tornado Outbreak: Missouri (2011)
The May 2011 Joplin storm was just one part of a larger outbreak, with over 200 tornadoes hitting the U.S. that weekend. Covered in heavy rain, the tornado was nearly invisible until the last moments. Afterward, volunteers came from every state to help the survivors.
Natchez Tornado: Mississippi (1840)
It was the most fatal tornado to ever strike a single city. The 1840 Natchez tornado remains the second deadliest in American history. A total of 317 lives were lost in the widespread destruction, with many deaths happening on riverboats that were swept away.
Amite–Pine–Purvis Tornado: Louisiana And Mississippi (1908)
Crossing parts of Louisiana and Mississippi in 1908, this destructive storm took 143 lives. The sheer force of the twister was so great that it reportedly threw debris over forty miles away. For over a century, it remained the only F4 on record for Louisiana.
New Richmond Tornado: Wisconsin (1899)
Nearly every downtown building fell to the storm, and even the opera house was destroyed. The 1899 New Richmond tornado remains Wisconsin’s deadliest with 117 fatalities. Household goods and clothing turned up more than thirty miles from the town.
Moore Tornado: Oklahoma (2013)
When the 2013 Moore tornado struck, its 1.3-mile-wide funnel flattened entire neighborhoods. This violent EF-5 twister injured more than 200 people and leveled two elementary schools. In the end, it claimed 24 lives and left families mourning across the city.
Flint Tornado: Michigan (1953)
The failure of the siren system led to major reforms in tornado warning procedures for the state. Michigan’s third-deadliest tornado struck Flint in 1953 and left 116 people dead. Powerful winds carried debris more than six miles away.
Worcester Tornado: Massachusetts (1953)
The 1953 Worcester tornado, which caused 94 deaths, remains the most destructive in New England’s history. Its path of destruction leveled 4,000 buildings. The event also directly led to the establishment of the U.S. tornado watch and warning system.
Rocksprings Tornado: Texas (1927)
Survivors recounted how livestock were lifted and tossed a quarter mile by the sheer force. Furthermore, 235 of 247 buildings were completely gone. This tornado, known as the “Town Killer,” struck Rocksprings, Texas, in 1927 and took 74 lives.
Omaha Tornado: Nebraska (1913)
The 1913 Omaha twister caused 103 deaths and injured over 400. The terrible event was so impactful that local newspapers printed their headlines in red ink to symbolize the bloodshed. It even leapt the Missouri River and shattered windows in Council Bluffs.
Waco Tornado: Texas (1953)
With 114 fatalities, the 1953 Waco tornado is still the deadliest in Texas history. It leveled entire downtown blocks, prompting a lasting lesson. To be fair, this disaster is now the primary example taught in Central Texas tornado drills for preparedness.
Topeka Tornado: Kansas (1966)
Seventeen lives were lost when the 1966 Topeka tornado reached EF-5 strength. The storm left behind $250 million in damage and marked Kansas’s most destructive event by property loss. From a distance, a young Bill Clinton witnessed it.
Palm Sunday Outbreak: Midwest (1965)
Some of the tornadoes formed incredibly rare twin funnels. At the same time, a powerful storm system produced 47 tornadoes on Palm Sunday in 1965 and cost 271 people’s lives across the Midwest. The tragedy deepened as many churches were destroyed right after services ended.
Oklahoma City Metro Outbreak: Oklahoma (1999)
In May 1999, an F5 tornado near Bridge Creek, Oklahoma, recorded the highest wind speed ever at ground level: 318 mph. The destructive power was so immense that it swept homes completely clean from their foundations and even scraped up the asphalt underneath.
Jarrell Tornado: Texas (1997)
The Jarrell, Texas, tornado of 1997, an F5, claimed 27 lives. This unique storm left a path of total destruction, reportedly sucking some houses right off their concrete slabs. Its violent winds also stuck debris into the ground like fence posts.
Charles City Tornado: Iowa (1968)
Farmers reported finding the contents of freezers, including bags of frozen meat, scattered miles from their homes. Striking Charles City in 1968, this F5 tornado destroyed or damaged nearly 1,000 homes and caused $30 million in losses.
The Alabama Super Outbreak: Southern U.S. (2011)
A catastrophic storm system swept through the South in 2011, claiming the lives of 348 people in a single day. Meteorologists saw “debris balls” on Doppler radar for the first time, which then prompted them to issue warnings. More than 10,000 buildings were ultimately destroyed.