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EF2 Tornado Explorer

Significant damage (111-135 mph)

Explore comprehensive data on all recorded EF2 tornadoes from 1950 to present. Filter by year, scale type, location, and more.

Overview

11,493 recorded tornadoes from 1950 to 2024

  • Total Recorded11,493
  • F-Scale (Pre-2007)9,026
  • EF-Scale (Post-2007)2,467
  • Year Range1950 - 2024

Human Impact

  • Total Fatalities704
  • Total Injuries17,054
  • Deaths per Tornado0.06
  • Casualties per Tornado1.55

Characteristics

  • Avg. Path Length6.78 miles
  • Avg. Path Width224 yards
  • Total Property Damage$14.60 billion
  • Avg. Damage per Tornado$1.27 million

Geographic Distribution

Top States:

  • TEXAS1386 (12.1%)
  • OKLAHOMA822 (7.2%)
  • MISSISSIPPI609 (5.3%)

Top Counties:

  • HARRIS, TEXAS34
  • CADDO, OKLAHOMA26
  • JEFFERSON, ALABAMA25

About EF2 Tornadoes

Wind Speeds: 111-135 mph (Enhanced Fujita) / 113-157 mph (Original Fujita)

Damage Characteristics: EF2 tornadoes produce considerable damage and represent about 12% of all tornadoes. This is often considered the threshold where tornadoes become truly dangerous to well-built structures.

Typical Damage: Roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, foundations of frame homes shifted, large trees snapped or uprooted, light objects become missiles, and cars can be lifted and moved short distances.

Historical Significance: Many of the most destructive tornadoes in terms of economic impact fall into the EF2 category due to their combination of significant strength and relatively higher frequency compared to stronger ratings.

Filter Tornado Data

Year Range

Showing tornadoes from 1950 to 2025

Scale Type

The F-scale was used until February 2007, when it was replaced by the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale.

States

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11,493 tornadoes match your filters (100% of total EF2 records).

Data Analysis

Monthly Distribution of EF2 Tornadoes

Monthly breakdown shows seasonality patterns and when EF2 tornadoes are most likely to occur.

Annual Trends of EF2 Tornadoes (1950-Present)

Yearly trends show how EF2 tornado frequency has changed over time, revealing patterns and potential climate influences.

The fluctuations in annual counts reflect both natural climate variability and improvements in tornado detection technology.

Top 10 States for EF2 Tornadoes

Geographic distribution shows which states are most affected by EF2 tornadoes, highlighting tornado-prone regions.

EF2 Tornadoes by Decade

Distribution across decades shows long-term patterns and historical trends in EF2 tornado occurrences.

The increase in recorded tornadoes since the 1950s reflects both improved detection technology and possibly climate factors. Stronger tornadoes like this rating have been more consistently reported throughout the period.

Path Length Distribution of EF2 Tornadoes

Shows how far EF2 tornadoes typically travel, providing insights into their duration and geographic impact.

Fatality Distribution of EF2 Tornadoes

Shows the human impact of EF2 tornadoes, revealing what percentage caused fatalities and in what numbers.

Note: This chart uses a logarithmic scale to better show the distribution of fatalities, as most tornadoes cause zero deaths. Medium-strength tornadoes like these cause significant fatalities, particularly when they hit populated areas or mobile home communities.

Notable EF2 Tornadoes

Date/Time
State
County
Deaths
Injuries
Path Length
Damage
Details
Dec 28, 2024MISSISSIPPIWAYNE006.51 milesN/A
Dec 28, 2024MISSISSIPPIJASPER009.08 miles$500.00 thousand
Dec 28, 2024TEXASBRAZORIA158.90 milesN/A
Nov 4, 2024ARKANSASBENTON003.80 miles$900.00 thousand
Nov 4, 2024OKLAHOMAADAIR0022.10 miles$150.00 thousand
Nov 3, 2024OKLAHOMASTEPHENS004.25 miles$250.00 thousand
Oct 9, 2024FLORIDAMARTIN005.71 miles$11.00 million
Oct 9, 2024FLORIDAINDIAN RIVER008.27 miles$39.00 million
Oct 9, 2024FLORIDAMARTIN0031.60 miles$1.50 million
Oct 9, 2024FLORIDAOKEECHOBEE002.64 miles$900.00 thousand

Reliable tornado data sourced from official organizations:

National Weather Service
NOAA
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Western University