List of F4, EF4, and IF4 tornadoes
This is a list of tornadoes from Shark's Hypothetical World that have been officially or unofficially labeled as F4, EF4, IF4, T8–T9, or an equivalent violent rating on various tornado intensity scales. These scales – the Fujita scale, the Enhanced Fujita scale, the International Fujita scale, and the TORRO tornado intensity scale – estimate tornado intensity primarily through damage caused to natural features and man-made structures.
F4 and EF4 tornadoes represent some of the most violent tornadoes documented, ranking immediately below the highest F5 or EF5 category. Under the Enhanced Fujita scale, an EF4 tornado is associated with estimated winds of 166–200 mph (267–322 km/h), although the rating assigned to a tornado depends on the damage indicators and degrees of damage encountered along its path rather than its actual maximum wind speed.
Because tornado ratings are damage-based, tornadoes capable of producing violent damage may receive lower ratings when they pass through rural areas or fail to strike structures capable of demonstrating F4 or EF4 intensity. Conversely, particularly severe damage may later be reassessed or considered evidence that a tornado was stronger than its official rating.
Background
Tornado intensity has historically been classified using several damage-based rating systems. The original Fujita scale classified tornadoes from F0 to F5, with F4 representing the second-highest category. In the United States, the Fujita scale was replaced in 2007 by the Enhanced Fujita scale, which introduced a larger set of damage indicators and degrees of damage to better account for differences in construction quality and structural integrity.
Under the Enhanced Fujita scale, EF4 tornadoes are associated with estimated winds of 166–200 mph (267–322 km/h). Damage at this intensity can include the complete destruction of well-constructed homes, severe damage to large commercial buildings, vehicles being thrown or severely mangled, and extensive damage to vegetation. However, individual damage indicators are evaluated according to their construction and the specific degree of damage observed.
Other tornado intensity scales use comparable violent categories. The International Fujita scale includes the IF4 classification, while approximately equivalent tornadoes may receive ratings of T8 or T9 on the TORRO scale. Although the methods and estimated wind speeds differ between these systems, each classification represents tornadoes immediately below the highest category of intensity.
As with F5 and EF5 tornadoes, the rating does not necessarily represent the tornado's absolute maximum intensity. A violent tornado may pass through areas containing few suitable damage indicators, resulting in a lower official rating despite evidence that stronger winds may have occurred elsewhere along its path. Depending on what surrounds the tornado's damage, even F4 tornadoes could be rated as such when they have instances of possible F5 intensity, sparking controversy with the ratings.
List of events
The following sections list F4, EF4, IF4, and equivalent tornadoes documented in Shark's Hypothetical World, along with tornadoes that may have reached equivalent intensity but were officially assigned a lower rating or were not formally rated. Events are separated according to their official classification and are organized chronologically by decade.
Tornadoes listed as possible F4/EF4/IF4 events retain their original official ratings; their inclusion reflects evidence or analysis suggesting that greater intensity may have occurred during some portion of their lifespan.
Official F4/EF4/IF4 tornadoes
This section lists every tornado in Shark's Hypothetical World that has been officially rated F4, EF4, IF4, or an equivalent violent rating. Tornadoes are organized chronologically by decade and according to the rating scale under which they were classified.
Each entry includes the tornado's date, location, fatalities, and a brief summary of the event. Where available, separate articles provide more detailed information on the tornado's meteorological history, damage, and aftermath.
F4 tornadoes
The following tornadoes were officially rated F5 under the original Fujita scale.
| Official Rating | Day | Year | Country | Subdivision | Location | Fatalities | Rated By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F4 | June 3 | 1995 | United States | Wisconsin | Cumberland | N/A | Sharkius |
| 1995 Cumberland tornado – | |||||||
EF4 tornadoes
The following tornadoes were officially rated EF4 under the Enhanced Fujita scale.
| Official Rating | Day | Year | Country | Subdivision | Location | Fatalities | Rated By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF4 | March 18 | 2035 | United States | Alabama | Arley | 11 | Sharkius |
| 2035 Arley tornado – The tornado reached its peak intensity in Arley, where a large commercial building containing a Dollar General and Great Value Supermarket was nearly destroyed, with most walls collapsed and the roof completely removed. Vehicles were severely mangled, trees were debarked, and extreme ground scouring and wind-rowing occurred nearby. The damage supported estimated winds of 190 mph (310 km/h) and a high-end EF4 rating, although survey teams noted that the tornado may have briefly attained EF5 intensity where its core crossed areas lacking suitable structural damage indicators. | |||||||
| EF4 | May 22 | 2035 | United States | Nebraska | Chapman, Central City | 14 | Sharkius |
| 2035 Chapman–Central City tornado – The tornado produced widespread severe damage through Chapman and Central City, destroying numerous homes and heavily damaging businesses and other structures. Some of the most significant damage occurred in Central City, where portions of residential neighborhoods were devastated and Merrick Medical Center sustained major structural damage. Several locations received EF4 ratings, with estimated peak winds of 170 mph (270 km/h). | |||||||
| EF4 | May 23 | 2035 | United States | Minnesota | Northfield | 9 | Sharkius |
| 2035 Northfield tornado – The tornado caused extensive destruction in Northfield, where numerous homes were destroyed, vehicles were thrown, and trees were snapped, uprooted, or debarked. Several well-built residences sustained particularly severe damage, including near-total destruction, while widespread damage also occurred to businesses and electrical infrastructure. The most intense damage supported estimated winds of 175 mph (282 km/h) and an EF4 rating. | |||||||
IF4 tornadoes
The following tornadoes were officially rated IF4 under the International Fujita scale.