List of tornado records

Top 15 Strongest Tornadoes (ONLY 10 WERE MEASURED)

Rank	Official rating	Date	Location	Minimum peak wind speed	Maximum peak wind speed	Highest confirmed peak wind speed
1	EF6	March 4, 2030	Dodge Center, Minnesota	344 mph (554 km/h)	344 mph (554 km/h)	344 mph (554 km/h)
The Dodge Center, Minnesota EF6 tornado was one of the worst tornadoes to impact American soil. Causing arguably the worst damage ever surveyed, it would also be measured by a DOW (Doppler on Wheels) team as it impacted the city of Dodge Center. They would find windspeeds of up to 344 mph (554 km/h), which was higher than the 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore F5. Additional analysis and surveys by the DOW team and others would get the same result after multiple trials. After the undeniable data, the National Weather Service in La Crosse would assign the tornado a 344 mph (554 km/h) rating with over 5 EF6 damage indicators.
2	F5	May 3, 1999	Bridge Creek, Oklahoma	281 mph (452 km/h)	321 mph (517 km/h)	321 mph (517 km/h)
In 2007, Joshua Wurman along with other researchers, published that a Doppler on Wheels recorded 135 m/s (300 mph; 490 km/h) approximately 32 metres (105 ft) above the radar level. In 2021, Wurman along with other researchers, revised the data using improved techniques and published that the Doppler on Wheels actually recorded 321 miles per hour (517 km/h) in the tornado.
3	EF3	May 31, 2013	El Reno, Oklahoma	291 mph (468 km/h)	336 mph (541 km/h)	313 mph (504 km/h)
A Doppler on Wheels recorded winds between 257–336 mph (414–541 km/h) at or less than 100 metres (330 ft) above the radar level in a suction vortex inside the tornado. This was later revised by the Doppler on Wheels team to 291–336 mph (468–541 km/h). In 2015, Howard Bluestein, along with other researchers, reported that the radar did capture at least a moment of winds of 313 miles per hour (504 km/h).
4	EF4	May 21, 2024	Greenfield, Iowa	309 mph (497 km/h)	318 mph (512 km/h)	≥309 mph (497 km/h)
A Doppler on Wheels recorded winds of 263–271 mph (423–436 km/h) approximately 30–50 m (98–164 ft) above the radar level. Following calculations to more accurately determine peak wind speeds, it was published that ground-relative winds of 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h) could be observed briefly to the immediate east of the main circulation.
5	EF5	May 24, 2011	Hinton, Oklahoma	289 mph (465 km/h)	296 mph (476 km/h)	295.5 mph (475.6 km/h)
RaXPol recorded a wind gust of 124.8 m/s (279 mph; 449 km/h) about 200–230 feet (60–70 m) above the radar level.
6	F4	April 26, 1991	Ceres, Oklahoma	268 mph (431 km/h)	280 mph (450 km/h)	280 mph (450 km/h)
A University of Oklahoma chase team headed by Howard Bluestein utilized mobile doppler weather radar to analyze the tornado. The radar measured peak winds of 120–125 m/s (270–280 mph; 430–450 km/h) between 150–190 m (490–620 ft) above the surface.
7	EF2	June 5, 2009	Goshen County, Wyoming	—	—	271 mph (436 km/h)
A Doppler on Wheels observed the entire lifecycle of an EF2 tornado in Goshen County, Wyoming. The radar also observed a peak wind speed of 271 mph (436 km/h) at 15–20 m (49–66 ft) above the ground level.
8	F4	May 30, 1998	Spencer, South Dakota	234 mph (377 km/h)	266 mph (428 km/h)	264 mph (425 km/h)
A Doppler on Wheels recorded winds of 264 mph (425 km/h) "well below" 50 metres (160 ft) above the ground level, "perhaps as low as 5–10 metres (16–33 ft) above the radar level".
9	EF3	May 28, 2013	Bennington, Kansas	—	—	264 mph (425 km/h)
A Doppler on Wheels recorded winds of 264 mph (425 km/h) approximately 153 ft (47 m) above the ground level.
10	F4	May 3, 1999	Mulhall, Oklahoma	246 mph (396 km/h)	299 mph (481 km/h)	257 mph (414 km/h)
A Doppler on Wheels documented the largest-ever-observed core flow circulation with a distance of 1,600 m (5,200 ft) between peak velocities on either side of the tornado, and a roughly 7 km (4.3 mi) width of peak wind gusts exceeding 43 m/s (96 mph), making the Mulhall tornado the largest tornado ever measured quantitatively. Several vortices contained winds of up to 115 m/s (260 mph) rotating around the tornado. The 3D structure of the tornado has been analyzed in a 2005 article in the Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences by Wen-Chau Lee and Joshua Wurman.

During the F5 in the southern Oklahoma City metro area, a Doppler on Wheels situated near the tornado measured winds of 301 ± 20 mph (484 ± 32 km/h) momentarily in a small area inside the funnel approximately 100 m (330 ft) above ground level.

On May 31, 2013, a tornado hit rural areas near El Reno, Oklahoma. The tornado was originally rated as an EF3 based on damage; however, after mobile radar data analysis was conducted, it was concluded to have been an EF5 due to a measured wind speed of greater than 296 mph (476 km/h), second only to the Bridge Creek–Moore tornado. Revised RaXPol analysis found winds of 302 ± 34 mph (486 ± 55 km/h) well above ground level and ≥291 mph (468 km/h) below 10 m (33 ft) with some subvortices moving at 175 mph (282 km/h). These winds may possibly be as high or higher than the winds recorded on May 3, 1999. Despite the recorded windspeed, the El Reno tornado was later downgraded back to EF3 due to the fact that no EF5 damage was found, likely due to the lack of sufficient damage indicators in the largely-rural area west of Oklahoma City.

During the Greenfield, Iowa EF4 on May 21, 2024, Doppler on Wheels recorded wind speeds of 263–271 mph (423–436 km/h) in a very small swath inside the funnel approximately 100–106 ft (30–32 m) above radar level as the tornado went through town. After doing some mathematical and physics-based calculations, the researchers determined those measured winds were equivalent to 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h). The calculated, not measured, minimum wind threshold as stated beats both the 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado and the 2013 El Reno, Oklahoma tornado for minimum possible maximum windspeed; however, the highest confirmed peak windspeeds are lower than the 1999 tornado.

Winds were measured at 262–280 mph (422–451 km/h) using portable Doppler weather radar in the Red Rock, Oklahoma, tornado during the April 26, 1991, tornado outbreak in north-central Oklahoma. Though these winds are possibly indicative of F5 intensity, this particular tornado's path never encountered any significant structures and caused minimal damage, so it was rated F4.

Top 15 Costliest Tornadoes

Rank	Official rating	Date	Tornado Name	Initial Cost	Inflational Cost (2025)
1	EF5	March 3, 2030	Ackerman–Starkville tornado	$4,900,000,000 USD	$4,900,000,000 USD
The Ackerman–Starkville EF5 is the costliest tornado of all time in the United States. Damages were estimated at $4.9 billion as the tornado impacted multiple communities in eastern Mississippi. The most notable location impacted was Mississippi State University (MSU), with damages ranging from $1.5 billion to $2.7 billion in the campus area alone.
2	EF5	May 22, 2011	Joplin tornado	$2,800,000,000 USD	$3,904,743,952 USD
The Joplin, Missouri EF5 tornado was widely known for being the costliest tornado in U.S. history until 2025. This tornado would tear through the heart of Joplin, forming right outside of town and dissipating right after it left. Causing its worst damage in the center of Joplin.
3	EF5	May 11, 2030	Moore tornado	$2,500,000,000 USD	$2,500,000,000 USD
The tornado that impacted Moore, Oklahoma, on May 11, 2030, was a deadly and catastrophic monster that rapidly strengthened and widened over the city. This tornado racked up damages by impacting the densely populated suburbs of southern Moore. The most catastrophic feats of damage occurred near I-35, where EF5 damage would be surveyed.
4	EF4	April 27, 2011	Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado	$2,450,000,000 USD	$3,416,650,958 USD
The tornado that struck Tuscaloosa and Birmingham on April 27, 2011, was a deadly and strong EF4. Heading through 2 huge cities, this tornado would rack up damage totals, hitting houses and commercial buildings.
5	EF5	May 20, 2013	Newcastle–Moore tornado	$2,000,000,000 USD	$2,693,106,453 USD
The May 20, 2013 Moore EF5 is considered infamous because of the saying: "This is May 3rd all over again...". However, this tornado tore through densely populated areas of Southern Oklahoma City, mainly Moore. Causing immense damage to the city.
6	EF3	May 16, 2025	St. Louis tornado	$1,600,000,000 USD	$1,600,000,000 USD
The St. Louis EF3 was a large and destructive EF3 tornado that struck areas on the western side of St. Louis. The tornado was short-lived, but rapidly intensified and caused tons of damage.
7	EF3	October 20, 2019	Dallas tornado	$1,550,000,000 USD	$1,901,837,031 USD
The tornado that struck North Dallas on October 20, 2019, was a rare and late-year tornado. The Northern sections of Dallas would suffer heavy damage, mainly well-constructed residential areas and some businesses.
8	EF3	March 3, 2020	Nashville tornado	$1,504,000,000 USD	$1,822,906,507 USD
On March 3, 2020, an unexpected strong tornado would touch down directly over the city of Nashville. It rapidly intensified and caught a lot of people off guard. This tornado would head right through the densely populated suburbs of the metro and was extremely destructive.
9	EF5	April 27, 2011	Hackleburg–Phil Campbell tornado	$1,290,000,000 USD	$1,798,971,321 USD
The EF5 tornado, which struck the main cities of Hackleburg and Phil Campbell on April 27, 2011, was a part of the 2011 Super Outbreak. Being the strongest tornado of the outbreak, this tornado would carve scars and trenches in the dirt, and obliterate the 2 cities.
10	EF6	March 4, 2030	Dodge Center tornado	$1,100,000,000 USD	$1,100,000,000 USD
The first ever EF6 tornado would strike multiple communities in southeastern Minnesota on the early morning of March 4, 2030. The 2030 Dodge Center tornado would go on to be the deadliest tornado of its outbreak, and after striking multiple cities with unheard of intensity, it racked up more damage totals than what cities were worth.
11	EF4	May 11, 2030	El Reno tornado	$1,100,000,000 USD	$1,100,000,000 USD
Following its predecessors, the El Reno EF4 would impact multiple homes and businesses within the western half of El Reno. Racking up damage totals from rural areas and the city itself.
12	F5	May 3, 1999	Bridge Creek–Moore tornado	$1,000,000,000 USD	$1,882,887,154 USD
The Bridge Creek tornado was the second strongest tornado ever measured by mobile Doppler radar. This tornado would go on to impact the densely populated suburbs of Oklahoma City, particularly Moore, where it would tear a 30+ mile path through populated areas.
13	EF4	March 4, 2030	Austin tornado	$1,000,000,000 USD	$1,000,000,000 USD
The Austin tornado was a high-end, and violent EF4 tornado that struck the city of Austin, Minnesota, on the early morning hours of March 4, 2030. It would core the city directly, hitting the downtown and business districts. It would then impact other small communities after Austin.
14	EF4	November 17, 2013	Washington tornado	$935,000,000 USD	$1,259,027,266 USD
This high-end EF4 tornado would impact the community of Washington, Illinois, head-on. It would cause $800 million alone in the city, and the rest mainly on the eastern side of Peoria.
15	EF3	May 12, 2030	Tulsa tornado	$834,000,000 USD	$834,000,000 USD
The Tulsa tornado was a strong, nighttime monster that impacted the northern side of Tulsa. It would impact tightly packed residential communities at EF3 strength, and continued to do so a majority of the time it was in the city.

Top 15 Deadliest Tornadoes

Rank	Official rating	Date	Tornado Name	Fatalities	Injuries
1	F5	March 18, 1925	Tri-State tornado	689	2,027
By far, the deadliest tornado in United States history and the second deadliest in world history. While the National Weather Service’s official death toll was 689, the American Red Cross reported 695 fatalities; however, the actual death toll was probably much higher than either figure as many people later died of their injuries.
2	F4+	May 6, 1840	Natchez tornado	317	109
These figures probably do not take into account the number of African-American or slave casualties as they were often not included in official statistics; therefore, the actual numbers of casualties from this tornado were probably much higher than what is listed here.
3	F4	May 27, 1896	St. Louis–East St. Louis tornado	255	1,000
These figures probably do not include actual numbers of African-American people or residents of Shanty town boats in the Mississippi River who were killed or injured.
4	EF6	March 4, 2030	Dodge Center tornado	253	1,525
Deadliest tornado in Minnesota state history, this was the first ever tornado to receive the EF6 rating. In doing so, it caused over 150 fatalities in Dodge Center alone.
5	F5	April 5, 1936	Tupelo tornado	216	700
At least 100 people were still hospitalized when this death toll was published, so the actual death toll may be much higher. The Mississippi State Geologist estimated a death toll of 233. African-American casualties were not counted properly. (Grazulis gave this tornado an F5 rating.)
6	EF5	March 3, 2030	Ackerman–Starkville tornado	207	2,275
Becoming the second-deadliest tornado in Mississippi state history, the Starkville tornado would destroy and level most of the buildings on the Mississippi State University college campus. In doing so, it would become the costliest tornado in history, along with one of the worst tornadoes to strike the state.
7	F4	April 6, 1936	Gainsville tornado	203	1,600
At least 40 people were still missing in collapsed buildings when these figures were published, so the actual death toll may be much higher.
8	F5	April 9, 1947	Woodward tornado	181	970
This was a family of tornadoes. Widely accepted death tolls per city are as follows: 107 in Woodward, 51 in Higgins, and 17 in Glazier. Six others were killed in rural parts of southern Oklahoma.
9	EF5	May 22, 2011	Joplin tornado	158	1,150
As of 2030, this is the third 21st-century tornado in the Americas with a death toll greater than 150. Five additional people died from a rare Mucormycosis fungal infection (caused by Apophysomyces trapeziformis) that was found in their wounds; a police officer was struck by lightning and killed the following day while engaged in recovery efforts; and four others died from their injuries in the two weeks after the tornado. Those ten deaths were considered "indirect fatalities" and are not counted in the final death toll.
10	F4	May 22, 2011	Amite–Pine tornado	143	770
11	F5	June 12, 1899	New Richmond tornado	117	200
The number of fatalities could have been much lower, but a circus had come to town and a number of people from nearby communities were there when the tornado struck.
12	F5	June 8, 1953	Flint–Beecher tornado	116	844
13	F5	May 11, 1953	Waco tornado	114	597
13	F4	May 18, 1902	Goliad tornado	114	250
14	F4	March 23, 1913	Omaha tornado	103	350
15	F4	May 26, 1917	Mattoon—Charleston tornado	101	638