EF5 Tornado Explorer
Incredible damage (>200 mph)
Explore comprehensive data on all recorded EF5 tornadoes from 1950 to present. Filter by year, scale type, location, and more.
Incredible damage (>200 mph)
138 recorded tornadoes from 1953 to 2013
Overview
138 recorded tornadoes from 1953 to 2013
- Total Recorded138
- F-Scale (Pre-2007)124
- EF-Scale (Post-2007)14
- Year Range1953 - 2013
Human Impact
- Total Fatalities1,313
- Total Injuries12,499
- Deaths per Tornado9.51
- Casualties per Tornado100.09
Characteristics
- Avg. Path Length15.20 miles
- Avg. Path Width650 yards
- Total Property Damage$9.47 billion
- Avg. Damage per Tornado$68.65 million
Geographic Distribution
Top States:
- ALABAMA20 (14.5%)
- KANSAS17 (12.3%)
- MISSISSIPPI15 (10.9%)
Top Counties:
- COWLEY, KANSAS3
- LAWRENCE, ALABAMA3
- GENESEE, MICHIGAN2
About EF5 Tornadoes
Wind Speeds: Over 200 mph (Enhanced Fujita) / 261-318 mph (Original Fujita)
Damage Characteristics: EF5 tornadoes represent the ultimate in tornado intensity, causing incredible and total destruction. These extremely rare events comprise less than 0.1% of all tornadoes but are responsible for some of the most devastating tornado disasters in history.
Typical Damage: Strong frame houses lifted off foundations and swept away, automobile-sized missiles fly through the air over 100 meters, trees completely debarked, steel-reinforced concrete structures severely damaged, and incredible phenomena such as straws driven into tree trunks.
Historical Rarity: Since the Enhanced Fujita Scale was implemented in 2007, only 7 tornadoes have been rated EF5 in the United States. The last EF5 tornado occurred in Moore, Oklahoma on May 20, 2013, emphasizing both their rarity and devastating potential when they do occur.
Filter Tornado Data
Year Range
Scale Type
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138 tornadoes match your filters (100% of total EF5 records).
Data Analysis
Monthly Distribution of EF5 Tornadoes
Monthly breakdown shows seasonality patterns and when EF5 tornadoes are most likely to occur.
Annual Trends of EF5 Tornadoes (1950-Present)
Yearly trends show how EF5 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. EF5 tornadoes are extremely rare, with some years having none at all.
Top 10 States for EF5 Tornadoes
Geographic distribution shows which states are most affected by EF5 tornadoes, highlighting tornado-prone regions.
EF5 Tornadoes by Decade
Distribution across decades shows long-term patterns and historical trends in EF5 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 EF5 Tornadoes
Shows how far EF5 tornadoes typically travel, providing insights into their duration and geographic impact.
Fatality Distribution of EF5 Tornadoes
Shows the human impact of EF5 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 EF5 Tornadoes
Date/Time | State | County | Deaths | Injuries | Path Length | Damage | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2013 | OKLAHOMA | CLEVELAND | 24 | 207 | 12.00 miles | $2.00 billion | |
| May 24, 2011 | OKLAHOMA | CANADIAN | 7 | 112 | 39.60 miles | N/A | |
| May 22, 2011 | MISSOURI | JASPER | 161 | 1150 | 8.80 miles | $2.80 billion | |
| Apr 27, 2011 | ALABAMA | DEKALB | 25 | 0 | 33.66 miles | N/A | |
| Apr 27, 2011 | MISSISSIPPI | ITAWAMBA | 0 | 0 | 10.98 miles | $100.00 thousand | |
| Apr 27, 2011 | ALABAMA | LAWRENCE | 14 | 0 | 28.19 miles | $40.00 million | |
| Apr 27, 2011 | MISSISSIPPI | MONROE | 16 | 37 | 6.05 miles | $2.50 million | |
| Apr 27, 2011 | ALABAMA | FRANKLIN | 27 | 0 | 16.95 miles | $50.00 million | |
| Apr 27, 2011 | ALABAMA | MARION | 18 | 100 | 25.14 miles | $160.00 million | |
| Apr 27, 2011 | MISSISSIPPI | WINSTON | 0 | 0 | 4.24 miles | $100.00 thousand |
Reliable tornado data sourced from official organizations:
