EF4 Tornado Explorer
Devastating damage (166-200 mph)
Explore comprehensive data on all recorded EF4 tornadoes from 1950 to present. Filter by year, scale type, location, and more.
Devastating damage (166-200 mph)
1,136 recorded tornadoes from 1950 to 2024
Overview
1,136 recorded tornadoes from 1950 to 2024
- Total Recorded1,136
- F-Scale (Pre-2007)999
- EF-Scale (Post-2007)137
- Year Range1950 - 2024
Human Impact
- Total Fatalities2,501
- Total Injuries35,759
- Deaths per Tornado2.20
- Casualties per Tornado33.68
Characteristics
- Avg. Path Length13.93 miles
- Avg. Path Width581 yards
- Total Property Damage$20.74 billion
- Avg. Damage per Tornado$18.26 million
Geographic Distribution
Top States:
- OKLAHOMA101 (8.9%)
- INDIANA84 (7.4%)
- TEXAS83 (7.3%)
Top Counties:
- POTTAWATOMIE, OKLAHOMA5
- SIMPSON, MISSISSIPPI5
- OSAGE, OKLAHOMA5
About EF4 Tornadoes
Wind Speeds: 166-200 mph (Enhanced Fujita) / 207-260 mph (Original Fujita)
Damage Characteristics: EF4 tornadoes create devastating damage and represent less than 1% of all tornadoes. These violent tornadoes are capable of catastrophic destruction across their path.
Typical Damage: Well-constructed houses leveled with foundations swept clean, structures with weak foundations blown considerable distances, cars thrown substantial distances, small missiles generated at high speeds, and even steel-reinforced concrete structures can suffer severe damage.
Notable Examples: The Moore, Oklahoma tornadoes of 1999 and 2013, the Tuscaloosa-Birmingham tornado of 2011, and the Joplin, Missouri tornado of 2011 were all rated EF4 or EF5, demonstrating the catastrophic potential of violent tornadoes.
Filter Tornado Data
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1,136 tornadoes match your filters (100% of total EF4 records).
Data Analysis
Monthly Distribution of EF4 Tornadoes
Monthly breakdown shows seasonality patterns and when EF4 tornadoes are most likely to occur.
Annual Trends of EF4 Tornadoes (1950-Present)
Yearly trends show how EF4 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 EF4 Tornadoes
Geographic distribution shows which states are most affected by EF4 tornadoes, highlighting tornado-prone regions.
EF4 Tornadoes by Decade
Distribution across decades shows long-term patterns and historical trends in EF4 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 EF4 Tornadoes
Shows how far EF4 tornadoes typically travel, providing insights into their duration and geographic impact.
Fatality Distribution of EF4 Tornadoes
Shows the human impact of EF4 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. Violent tornadoes of this rating are responsible for a disproportionate number of tornado fatalities despite their relative rarity.
Notable EF4 Tornadoes
Date/Time | State | County | Deaths | Injuries | Path Length | Damage | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2024 | IOWA | ADAIR | 4 | 35 | 15.74 miles | $30.00 million | |
| May 6, 2024 | OKLAHOMA | OSAGE | 2 | 33 | 32.40 miles | $10.00 million | |
| Apr 27, 2024 | OKLAHOMA | LOVE | 1 | 6 | 12.50 miles | $150.00 million | |
| Apr 26, 2024 | NEBRASKA | WASHINGTON | 0 | 1 | 10.44 miles | N/A | |
| Apr 26, 2024 | NEBRASKA | DOUGLAS | 0 | 3 | 15.68 miles | N/A | |
| Mar 31, 2023 | IOWA | KEOKUK | 0 | 3 | 7.09 miles | N/A | |
| Mar 24, 2023 | MISSISSIPPI | SHARKEY | 14 | 150 | 18.87 miles | $83.00 million | |
| Nov 4, 2022 | OKLAHOMA | MCCURTAIN | 0 | 6 | 32.30 miles | $35.00 million | |
| Nov 4, 2022 | TEXAS | RED RIVER | 0 | 7 | 27.93 miles | $2.00 million | |
| Nov 4, 2022 | TEXAS | LAMAR | 0 | 10 | 25.91 miles | $5.00 million |
Reliable tornado data sourced from official organizations:
