List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes

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EF4 damage to a residence from the 2011 Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado
The Windsor–Tecumseh Tornado of 1946
F4/EF4 Tornadoes in the United States 1950-2019

This is a list of tornadoes which have been officially or unofficially labeled as F4, EF4, IF4, or an equivalent rating. These scales – the Fujita scale, the Enhanced Fujita scale, the International Fujita scale, and the TORRO tornado intensity scale – attempt to estimate the intensity of a tornado by classifying the damage caused to natural features and man-made structures in the tornado's path.

Tornadoes are among the most violent known meteorological phenomena. Each year, more than 2,000 tornadoes are recorded worldwide, with the vast majority occurring in North America and Europe.[1][2] In order to assess the intensity of these events, meteorologist Ted Fujita devised a method to estimate maximum wind speeds within tornadic storms based on the damage caused; this became known as the Fujita scale. The scale ranks tornadoes from F0 to F5, with F0 being the least intense and F5 being the most intense. F4 tornadoes were estimated to have had maximum winds between 207 mph (333 km/h) and 260 mph (420 km/h).[3][a]

Following two particularly devastating tornadoes in 1997 and 1999, engineers questioned the reliability of the Fujita scale. Ultimately, a new scale was devised that took into account 28 different damage indicators; this became known as the Enhanced Fujita scale.[4] With building design and structural integrity taken more into account, winds in an EF4 tornado were estimated to between 166 mph (267 km/h) and 200 mph (320 km/h).[5] The Enhanced Fujita scale is used predominantly in North America. Most of Europe, on the other hand, uses the TORRO tornado intensity scale (or T-Scale), which ranks tornado intensity between T0 and T11; F4/EF4 tornadoes are approximately equivalent to T8 to T9 on the T-Scale. Tornadoes rated IF4 on the International Fujita scale are also included on this list.

List of F4/EF4 tornadoes

The most recent EF4 tornado occurred on April 5, 2022, which impacted Pembroke and Black Creek, Georgia.

Pre-1950

The National Weather Service in the United States did not rate any tornadoes prior to 1950. Other organizations like the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) on the other hand, did rate tornadoes prior to 1950. The only violent tornado that impacted the United States prior to 1950 and has an official rating is the 1946 Windsor–Tecumseh tornado, which received a rating from ECCC. However, the impact to the United States remains officially unrated.

Tornadoes officially rated F4/EF4 or equivalent
Day Year Country Subdivision Location Fatalities Notes Rated by
October 23 1091 UK Greater London London 2 London tornado of 1091 — A violent tornado destroyed 600 houses, damaged the Church of St Mary-le-bow, and killed two people. While this tornado did not receive a rating on a tornado intensity scale, a publication in the Journal of Meteorology by M. W. Roe described the tornado as a “violent whirlwind”, so it is believed to have been equivalent to an F4 tornado.[6][7] M. W. Roe
September 11 1535 Poland Lower Silesian Oleśnica 5 An F4 tornado that destroyed part of the town. The written account of this tornado was done by Dr. Alfred Wegener, which is in the CLIMDAT archive located at Leipzig University.[8][9] ESSL
July 15 1582 Germany Thuringia Rockhausen 0 This F4 tornado nearly destroyed a village, leaving only two houses that remained untouched. This may have been twin tornadoes instead of just one tornado.[8][10] ESSL
May 22 1872 Estonia Historic country of Livonia Unknown 7 (14 injuries) 74 farms were damaged and a church was destroyed.[8] Heino Tooming, ESSL[b]
July 1 1891 Germany North Rhineland Lind, Süchteln, Anrath, Krefeld 3 (100 injuries) This short-lived, extremely fast-moving F4/T9 tornado destroyed the towns of Lind, Süchteln, Anrath, and Krefeld. According to the European Severe Storms Laboratory this tornado had a path of 20 km (12.43 mi) and only was on the ground for 4 minutes, meaning the forward moving speed of this tornado was about 300.00 kilometres per hour (186.41 mph) Hail up to 8 cm (3.15 in) occurred with this tornado.[8] ESSL
September 6 1882 Denmark Silkeborg Municipality Gødvad 0 The tornado destroyed an entire barn, "crushed" six strong oak half-timbered homes, destroyed turf homes, scoured an oat field, and picked up the water in a pond. "A stone house had all of its wooden roof tiles ripped off and the planks reportedly broken like glass". "Deep ground scouring" occurred in numerous places as well.[8] ESSL
September 21 1897 Italy Apulia Oria 55 Houses and stone-walled buildings collapsed. The tornado's maximum width was 850 metres (930 yd) and had a path length of 36 kilometres (22 mi).[8] ESSL
July 17 1902 Canada Ontario Chesterville, Winchester Several The tornado was 50–60 rods (250–300 m; 820–990 ft) wide and tore dwellings and outbuildings into pieces.[11][12][13] ECCC
June 30 1912 Canada Saskatchewan Regina 28 (300 injuries) Regina Cyclone – An F4 tornado that completely leveled several structures and caused others to explode as the pressure inside the structures rose when the tornado passed overhead. The tornado caused a 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) path of destruction and had an approximate width of 150 metres (490 ft).[14][15] ECCC
November 24 1928 Denmark Southern Denmark Hostrup, Esbjerg, Alslev 0 An F4 tornado that impacted Southern Denmark along a path of 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi). Several barns were destroyed near Hostrup and gables on homes were destroyed. A home’s walls were cracked in this area as well. A pump that was “deep into the ground” was ripped up and thrown 10 metres (11 yd). In the area of the pump, a “literal” two-story brick farmhouse was “erased to the ground”, which suggested F4 level intensity.[8] ESSL, DMI
July 20 1931 Poland Lublin Lublin 6 This tornado is officially rated F4; however, the Polish Weather Service estimated winds at 246 to 324 mph (396 to 521 km/h), potentially ranking it as an F5. Numerous structures were "razed to the ground".[8] ESSL
July 11 1934 Finland Eastern Finland Province Kiuruvesi 0 An F4 tornado was observed which crossed over land and water.[8][16] ESSL, FMI, NWS[c]
December 26 1940 Cuba Mayabeque Province Bejucal 20 (100+ injuries) The F4 tornado collapsed numerous houses and other structures. The tornado had an estimated width of 400 metres (440 yd) and an estimated windspeed of 350 kilometres per hour (220 mph).[17] Government of Cuba
June 17 1946 United States,
Canada
Michigan,
Ontario
River Rouge, Windsor, LaSalle, Tecumseh 17 1946 Windsor–Tecumseh tornado – Officially rated F4; however, one home had a portion of its concrete block foundation swept away, indicating borderline F5 damage. The tornado knocked out power to most of Tecumseh as well. This tornado is not officially rated by the National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States as NWS did not begin to rate tornadoes until 1950, so the damage done in the United States remains unrated.[18][19] ECCC

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

See List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2010–2019)

2020s

See List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2020–present)

Possible F4/EF4 tornadoes with no official rating or lower rating

Many other tornadoes have never been formally rated by an official government source but have nonetheless been described as F4/EF4 or equivalent, often by independent studies. Most of these tornadoes occurred prior to 1950, before tornadoes were rated according to standardized damage assessments, and their unofficial classifications as F4/EF4 or equivalent have been made in retrospect, largely on the basis of photographic analysis and eyewitness accounts. Many ratings of tornadoes in the United States prior to 1950, going back to 1871, are provided by tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis. Some tornadoes have evidence pointing to an F4/EF4 or equivalent rating, but are rated lower, so those are included in this list as well.

Pre-1870

Possible F4/EF4 tornadoes with no official rating or lower rating
Day Year Country Subdivision Location Fatalities Notes Rated by
December 8 1851 Kingdom of the Two Sicilies Sicily Marsala ~500 Sicily Tornadoes — Two twin waterspouts that made landfall in Marsala. "Half the town" was destroyed, and 200 of the inhabitants were washed into the sea, where all perished. Many vessels in the harbor were destroyed and their crews drowned. "Upwards of 500 persons" were killed in total.[20][21] N/A

1870s

Tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis gave F4 ratings to 48 tornadoes that occurred in the United States in the 1870s.

Possible F4/EF4 tornadoes with no official rating or lower rating
Day Year Country Subdivision Location Fatalities Notes Rated by
June 18 1871 United States Iowa Richland Township, Guthrie County 0 (5 injuries) A farm house was leveled and an oven was thrown 300 yards (270 m). Grazulis
May 28 1872 United States Missouri North of Versailles 2 (10 injuries) Five farms were completely destroyed and more were damaged. An eyewitness stated that two funnels merged. Grazulis
May 22 1873 United States Kansas Jackonsville, Neosho County 7 (20 injuries) A dozen farms were destroyed, some of which "completely disappeared." Grazulis
May 22 1873 United States Iowa Lancaster, Jackson Township (Washington County), Highland Township 8+ (30 injuries) At least 30 farms were devastated, with debris driven 4 feet (1.2 m) into the ground at one location. The roar was heard up to 10 miles (16 km) away. Grazulis
May 22 1873 United States Illinois Warren County, Fulton County 3 (28 injuries) About a dozen farms were devastated with some homes reportedly swept away. Grazulis
July 1 1873 United States Kansas Galesburg, Erie 5 (9 injuries) Homes were destroyed in Erie and rural Neosho County. Grazulis
July 3 1873 United States Illinois Bear Creek Township 1 (10 injuries) Five farms were destroyed. At one site "not a stick of timber" remained in place. Witnesses initially mistook the tornado for smoke from a distant fire.
November 22 1874 United States Alabama Tuscumbia 14 (30 injuries) About a third of Tuscumbia was damaged or destroyed. Several people were injured when a trail derailed. Grazulis
March 20 1875 United States Georgia Harris County, Talbot County 11+ (25 injuries) March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — Several plantations were destroyed, with 11 deaths on and near one of them. As many as 15 people may have died. Grazulis
March 20 1875 United States Georgia Mount Airy (Harris County), Baughville 9 (50 injuries) March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — Six people died in one house. Baughville Academy was destroyed. Grazulis
March 20 1875 United States Georgia, South Carolina Sparta, Camak Appling (GA), Edgefield, South Carolina 28+ (70 injuries) March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — Nearly every building in Camak was damaged or destroyed. Dozens of farms were destroyed. As many as 42 people many have died. Grazulis
March 20 1875 United States Georgia Gray, Milledgeville 13+ (30 injuries) March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — One person, presumed dead was still missing when the damage survey was conducted. Witnesses mistook the tornado for a large fire. Grazulis
March 20 1875 United States Alabama, Georgia Opelika (Alabama), West Point, Whitesville 7 (20 injuries) March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — All deaths were in one family. An eyewitness account suggests this was a multiple vortex tornado. Grazulis
March 20 1875 United States Georgia Sparta, Gibson 8+ (40 injuries) March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak — Some deaths, attributed to another tornado, may have been from this one. Grazulis
March 20 1875 United States Georgia, South Carolina Keysville (Georgia), Jackson New Ellenton, Williston (South Carolina) 6+ (30 injuries) March 1875 Southeast tornado outbreak —About 40 homes were severely damaged in Richmond County, Georgia. One other person may have died. Grazulis
May 1 1875 United States Georgia Rutledge, Maxeys, Greensboro 7 (35 injuries) "Prosperous" farms and a large plantation were destroyed. One house was carried 25 yards (23 m) and set down gently with the owner inside. Grazulis
August 5 1875 United States Illinois Alexis, Galesburg, Wataga 2+ (15 injuries) A total of 25 farm homes and many farm buildings were damaged or destroyed. Three children, reported missing, may also have died. A dead steer was carried a mile (1.6 km). Grazulis
August 5 1875 United States Illinois Knoxville, Truro Township, Millbrook Township, Jubilee Township, Radnor Township 0 (40 injuries) Farm homes and barns were destroyed. One child may have died. Grazulis
February 27 1876 United States Indiana Petersburg, Glezen 1 (15 injuries) About 30 farms were damaged, at least two of which were leveled. Grazulis
March 10 1876 United States Missouri, Illinois Elizabathtown, Hassard, Hannibal, Missouri 14 (40 injuries) The village of Elizabethtown was destroyed. Grazulis
June 6 1876 United States Kansas Fallon Township, Smoky View Township 3 (13 injuries) Fourteen farms were destroyed; one farm house was swept away. Grazulis
June 6 1876 United States Kansas Lindsborg unknown All buildings on two farms were destroyed. Grazulis
April 18 1877 United States Tennessee Newberg, La Vergne 10 (50 injuries) Much of La Vergne was destroyed. Damage was more intense in valleys then on hilltops. Grazulis
June 4 1877 United States Illinois, Indiana Mount Carmel, Illinois 16+ (100 injuries) Homes in Mount Carmel were swept away, and about 120 homes and businesses were destroyed. Some sources state that 30 people died. Grazulis
June 30 1877 United States Indiana Brooklyn, Waverly, Mooresville 7+ (20 injuries) Homes were destroyed and entire farms were swept away. Two schools were destroyed; one was carried 50 yards (46 m). Grazulis
July 1 1877 United States Pennsylvania Parkesburg, Ercildoun 2+ (25 injuries) Four homes were destroyed in Parkesburg and Twenty buildings, including a dormitory, were destroyed in Ercildoun. Debris was carried 9 miles (14 km). Grazulis
July 2 1877 United States Indiana Baugo Township 2+ (11 injuries) Eight homes were destroyed, two of which were leveled. Grazulis
March 2 1878 United States Kentucky Rich Hill, Mount Olive 8 (unknown injuries) Homes were swept away. All seven members of one family were killed. Grazulis
April 13 1878 United States Kansas Cottonwood Falls, Cottonwood Station 4 (35 injuries) Cottowood Station was destroyed. In all, 25 homes were destroyed. Grazulis
April 17 1878 United States Nebraska, South Dakota Olivet, South Dakota unknown Houses were leveled. A wagon was carried 2 miles (3.2 km). Grazulis
April 18 1878 United States Iowa Atlantic 1 (2 injuries) A house was destroyed. Grazulis
April 21 1878 United States Iowa Battle Creek, Ida Grove, Eureka Township, Hayes Township, Storm Lake 10 (40 injuries) Structures were destroyed along the track, including 15 homes at Storm Lake. Grazulis
April 21 1878 United States Iowa Willow Creek Township, Wall Lake, Iowa, Sac City, Pomeroy 17 (29 injuries) Farm homes were destroyed. One house was reported carried 300 feet (91 m). This event was may have been a tornado family. Grazulis
May 23 1878 United States Wisconsin Mifflin, Linden, Mineral Point, Lake Mendota 17 (45 injuries) Homes were destroyed a people were killed along a 55-mile (89 km) track. One person, carried by the tornado, survived by wrapping herself in a blanket. This event was likely a tornado family. Grazulis
June 1 1878 United States Missouri Richmond 16+ (90 injuries) About a third of Richmond was destroyed. Some newspapers give a death toll of 21. Grazulis
June 1 1878 United States Iowa Rockwell 3 (unknown injuries) Several buildings were destroyed. "No vestige remained" of one home. Grazulis
August 9 1878 United States Connecticut Wallingford, Durham, Killingworth, 34 (70 injuries) 1878 Wallingford tornado — About 35 homes were destroyed. Pieces of paper were carried 65 miles (105 km). Grazulis
May 29 1879 United States Missouri Fillmore, Barnard, Guilford, Conception, Alanthus Grove unknown (20 injuries) At least 15 farms were destroyed. A horse was carried 1,000 yards (0.91 km) and survived. One of the injured may have later died. Grazulis
May 30 1879 United States Kansas Westfall, Milo 1+ (10 injuries) Some homes were left "with only fragments remaining." One other person may have died. Grazulis
May 30 1879 United States Kansas Minneapolis, Delphos, Aurora 4 (30 injuries) Chickens were stripped of feathers and carried up to 3 miles (4.8 km). Grazulis
May 30 1879 United States Kansas, Nebraska Randolph, Irving (Kansas), Richardson County, Nebraska 18 (60 injuries) Thirty-four homes in Irving were destroyed. A cow survived being carried half a mile (0.8 km). A 100-ton iron bridge was "twisted into a shapeless ruin." May have been a tornado family. Grazulis
May 30 1879 United States Missouri West Line, Raymore, Lee's Summit 4 (25 injuries) A house was destroyed while a nearby chicken house was untouched. Four members of one family, caught in the open, were killed. May have been a tornado family. Grazulis
May 30 1879 United States Kansas Keats 1 (4 injuries) A house was destroyed with debris strewn for half a mile (0.8 km). Grazulis
June 10 1879 United States Kansas Asherville, Brittsville, Glasco 1 (8 injuries) Entire farms were destroyed. Grazulis
July 2 1879 United States Iowa Fredonia Township, 2 Six farms were destroyed. Grazulis
July 2 1879 United States Minnesota Wanamingo Township, Wastedo, Cannon Falls 3 (8 injuries) At least three farm houses were destroyed. All three deaths were in one home. Grazulis
July 2 1879 United States Minnesota, Wisconsin Belle Creek Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, Vasa, Burnside Township, Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin 11 (30 injuries) At least 12 farms were destroyed with one house carried away. Five of the deaths were at an orphanage. Grazulis
December 9 1879 United States Missouri Renick 1 (7 injuries) Eight farms sustained severe damage; two were leveled. Grazulis
Sources: Grazulis

1880s

Grazulis gave F4 ratings to 70 tornadoes that occurred in the United States in the 1880s, and noted one other tornado that might have caused F4 damage.

Possible F4/EF4 tornadoes with no official rating or lower rating
Day Year Country Subdivision Location Fatalities Notes Rated by
April 2 1880 United States Kansas Girard 4 (25 injuries) Six farms were leveled and 17 homes sustained some manner of damage. Grazulis
April 18 1880 United States Missouri Rocky Comfort, Wheaton, McDowell, Ozark, Linden, Fordland Grovespring 31 (100 injuries) Tornado outbreak of April 1880 – The worst damage was north of Fordland. This tornado was on a parallel track to the Marshfield tornado, the next entry on this list, which was on the ground at the same time. Grazulis
April 18 1880 United States Missouri McDowell, Boaz, Springfield, Marshfield 99+ (200 injuries) Tornado outbreak of April 1880 – The greatest impact was in Marshfield, where 92 people were killed and all but 15 buildings in town were destroyed. Grazulis
April 18 1880 United States Missouri Climax Springs, Barnett, Jefferson City, New Bloomfield 14 (90 injuries) Tornado outbreak of April 1880 – Numerous farms were devastated. Barnettsville was rebuilt as Barnett. Grazulis
April 18 1880 United States Arkansas El Paso 4 (15 injuries) Tornado outbreak of April 1880 – A third of El Paso was damaged for destroyed. Three of the deaths were in one family. Grazulis
April 24 1880 United States Illinois Jerseyville, Macoupin County 1 (10 injuries) About 25 homes were destroyed. Grazulis
April 24 1880 United States Illinois Carlinville, Atwater 0 (12 injuries) Buildings were destroyed on two dozen farms; some were swept away. Trees were debarked. Grazulis
April 25 1880 United States Mississippi Macon 22 (72 injuries) Homes were swept away and loaded freight cars were thrown 100 yards. Grazulis
May 10 1880 United States Illinois Alsey, Pisgah 7 (18 injuries) Thirty buildings were destroyed. A body was carried a quarter mile (0.4 km). Grazulis
May 28 1880 United States Texas Savoy 14 (60 injuries) The business district and northeast section of Savoy were leveled. Grazulis
June 9 1880 United States Iowa Macedonia, Iowa, Grove Township 7 (20 injuries) Eight houses were destroyed, two of which were completely blown away. One was carried away while a nearby fence was undamaged. Grazulis
June 14 1880 United States Indiana Fountaintown, Morristown, Carthage, Rushville 4+ (20 injuries) Seven farm houses were swept away. Grazulis
June 9 1881 United States Kansas Solomon Rapids, Kansas, Beloit 5 (30 injuries) Farms were destroyed along most of the path. Grazulis
June 11 1881 United States Iowa Norwalk, Avon, Colfax 2 (6 injuries) Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Two homes were completely blown away. Water from the Des Moines River was lifted 100 feet (30 m) in the air. Grazulis
June 12 1881 United States Kansas Floral 3 (22 injuries) Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Twenty-eight homes were destroyed, many of which were leveled. Grazulis
June 12 1881 United States Missouri Burlington, Clearmont 2 (15 injuries) Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Two farms were swept away. May have been F5. Grazulis
June 12 1881 United States Kansas Olviet, Melvern, Quenemo, Richter 5 (40 injuries) Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Fifty homes and barns were destroyed. Grazulis
June 12 1881 United States Missouri Fillmore, Flag Springs, King City 5 (20 injuries) Tornado outbreak of June 1881 – Eighty buildings were destroyed and many livestock were killed. Grazulis
June 28 1881 United States Iowa Cherokee 3 (20 injuries) Homes were swept away.[22] Grazulis
July 15 1881 United States Minnesota Odessa, Fairfield, Correll 4 (15 injuries) Multiple farms were leveled.[22] Grazulis
July 15 1881 United States Minnesota Bird Island, Cairo Township, Wellington Township, West Newton, New Ulm 20 (93 injuries) This event was a complex tornado family rather than a single tornado. Five entire farms were swept away and 47 homes were destroyed in New Ulm. Grazulis applied a conservative F4 rating, but notes that it probably reached F5 intensity. Grazulis
April 5 1882 United States Kansas Raymond, Chase 4 (30 injuries) About half of Chase was destroyed. Grazulis
April 6 1882 United States Michigan Kendall, Alamo, Hickory Corners 1 (10 injuries) Nine farms were damaged or destroyed Grazulis
April 6 1882 United States Michigan Bedford, Assyria Township, Kalamo 4 (25 injuries) About a dozen homes were destroyed in Kalamo. At least 20 farms were damaged. Grazulis
April 6 1882 United States Michigan Hartland, West Highland, Clyde 3 (3 injuries) Five homes were destroyed. Grazulis
April 22 1882 United States Mississippi Monticello 10 (100 injuries) All but three homes in Monticello were destroyed. Half the town's population was injured. Grazulis
April 22 1882 United States Georgia Macon, Griswoldville Gordon 2 (10 injuries) Several homes were leveled. At least one well-built house was destroyed. Grazulis
June 17 1882 United States Iowa Ogden, Nevada 1 (5 injuries) A few farms were leveled. This tornado moved on a track parallel to a far deadlier F5 tornado that devastated Grinell during the same outbreak. Grazulis
June 21 1882 United States Iowa Primghar, Peterson 5 (50 injuries) At least 50 buildings were destroyed on 20 farms and in the town of Primghar. Grazulis
June 25 1882 United States Nebraska Brainard, Wahoo 2 (2 injuries) One farm was leveled and many other sustained F3 damage. Grazulis
April 21 1883 United States Iowa Dunlap, Woodbine 2 (10 injuries) One home was leveled. Grazulis
April 22 1883 United States Mississippi Brookhaven, Wesson, Beauregard, Georgetown 56+ (300 injuries) All of Beauregard and a large portion of Wesson were destroyed. The combined death toll of this and the Americus, Georgia tornado (listed below) may have been more than 100. Grazulis
April 22 1883 United States Georgia Plains, Americus 10+ (80 injuries) Large homes were leveled with four people killed in one home. Grazulis
April 23 1883 United States Georgia Albany, Isabella 8 (50 injuries) Three plantations were hit, with both tenant homes and main homes destroyed. Grazulis
April 27 1883 United States Texas Belton, Heidenheimer 5 (30 injuries) Three homes were swept away and scattered for miles. Grazulis
May 14 1883 United States Indiana, Michigan Vistula (Indiana), Sturgis, Burr Oak (Michigan) 1 (10 injuries) Twenty farms were hit, with homes and barns destroyed. Grazulis
May 18 1883 United States Illinois, Wisconsin Capron, Alden (Illinois) 4 (15 injuries) Homes and barns were destroyed with "only fragments to show that any structure once stood there." Grazulis
May 18 1883 United States Illinois Whitehall, Greasy Prairie, Roodhouse 8 (50 injuries) Greasy Prairie was destroyed with some homes partially swept away. Grazulis
May 18 1883 United States Wisconsin Brighton, Racine, Lake Michigan 8 (85 injuries) Fifty-eight homes in Racine were destroyed and two farm homes were swept away. An eyewitness described the tornado's multiple vortex structure as it moved over Lake Michigan. Grazulis
May 18 1883 United States Illinois Springfield, Dawson, Buffalo, Mount Pulaski, Latham 11 (50 injuries) Many farms were leveled. Large timbers were carried half a mile and embedded 10 feet (3 m) in the ground. Grazulis
May 18 1883 United States Illinois Jacksonville, Literberry, Philadelphia 12 (50 injuries) All of Literberry was destroyed. Grazulis
May 18 1883 United States Illinois Shipman, Plainview 5 (30 injuries) A large home was leveled, with three deaths inside. Grazulis
May 28 1883 United States Indiana Clay City, Patricksburg 5+ (8 injuries) At least four homes were swept away. There were unconfirmed rumors for two additional deaths. Grazulis
July 21 1883 United States Minnesota Dodge Center, Kasson, Byron, Douglas 3 (30 injuries) Two of "the fines homes in the county" and six farms were leveled. This event likely consisted of at least two separate tornadoes. Grazulis
July 23 1883 United States Michigan Eaton Rapids, Onondaga, Leslie 3+ (15 injuries) One house was destroyed with debris scattered for 3 miles (4.8 km). One other person may have died. About 60 sheep were killed. Grazulis
February 19 1884 United States Alabama Oxmoor, Leeds, Branchville 13+ (30 injuries) Enigma tornado outbreak – Thirty-six homes, many of them brick, were destroyed. Some foundations were reportedly blown away. Five other people may have died. Grazulis
February 19 1884 United States Georgia Cartersville, Waleska, Jasper, Cagle, Tate 22 (100 injuries) Enigma tornado outbreak – Many large homes were leveled or swept away. Bodies were carried half a mile (0.8 km). Grazulis
February 19 1884 United States Alabama, Georgia Jacksonville, Germania, Piedmont, Grantville, Goshen, Ladiga Adelia, Amberson, Rock Run (Alabama), Cave Spring (Georgia) 30+ (100 injuries) Enigma tornado outbreak – Some homes were swept away. A school was destroyed. Six of the injured may later have died. Grazulis
February 19 1884 United States North Carolina Pee Dee, Philadelphia, Johnsonville 23+ (100 injuries) Enigma tornado outbreak – Philadelphia was "obliterated." Reports did not follow the fate of the injured. Grazulis
July 21 1884 United States South Dakota, Minnesota Dell Rapids (South Dakota), Adrian 4+ (15 injuries) Whole farms were swept away. Grazulis
August 28 1884 United States South Dakota Forestburg, Long Lake 1 (1 injury) At least one home was blown away. This event was captured in what is widely reported as the first-ever photograph of a tornado. However, another tornado was photographed 4 months earlier near Garnett, Kansas. Grazulis
August 28 1884 United States South Dakota Alexandria 4 (unknown injuries) One farm was completely swept away, with four people and all livestock on the farm killed. Grazulis
September 9 1884 United States Minnesota, Wisconsin Marine (Minnesota), Clear Lake, Star Prairie (Wisconsin) 4 (75 injuries) Several farms were destroyed and two people died in the destruction of a store. This event was a tornado family rather than a single tornado. Grazulis
January 11 1885 United States Alabama Centerville, Jemison 2 (20 injuries) Large homes were swept away and large swaths of trees were leveled. This event was likely a tornado family. Grazulis
June 12 1885 United States Iowa Grove Township, Roscoe Township 3 (10 injuries) Two farms were completely swept sway. Grazulis
November 6 1885 United States Alabama Selma, Plantersville 13 (400 injuries) Many poorly-built homes were blown away. Trees were debarked. Crops were pulled out of the ground. Grazulis
April 14 1886 United States Iowa Griswold, Atlantic, Brayton, Coon Rapids 3 (18 injuries) 1886 St. Cloud–Sauk Rapids tornado outbreak – About 70 farms houses were damaged or destroyed; some were completely swept off their foundations. A train was derailed, with the front cars thrown southward and the rear cars thrown northward while a car in the middle remained on the tracks. Grazulis
April 14 1886 United States Minnesota St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Rice 72 (213 injuries) 1886 St. Cloud–Sauk Rapids tornado outbreak – Homes were swept away in St. Cloud, where 24 people died. Another 37 were killed in Sauk Rapids. Eleven died at a wedding party near Rice. The bottom of the Mississippi River was reportedly exposed. Grazulis
April 14 1886 United States Minnesota Little Rock, Buckman, Pierz Township 2 (7 injuries) 1886 St. Cloud–Sauk Rapids tornado outbreak – Two farms were entirely swept away. Grazulis
April 14 1886 United States Missouri Mound City, Skidmore, Burlington Junction 6 (20 injuries) 1886 St. Cloud–Sauk Rapids tornado outbreak – Four farm homes were leveled. Grazulis
April 14 1886 United States Texas Rhome 0 (13 injuries) 1886 St. Cloud–Sauk Rapids tornado outbreak – Grazulis assigned an F3 rating but states that farms were "reportedly swept away in F4 or F5 fashion," but that there was not enough information to assign an F4 rating. One of the injured may later have died. Grazulis
May 12 1886 United States Illinois, Indiana Armstrong, Alvin, Potomac, Rossville (Illinois) 3 (10 injuries) Two farm homes were swept away. Grazulis
May 12 1886 United States Indiana Williamsport, Attica 4 (20 injuries) Thirty-five homes were destroyed in Attica. Witnesses reported that the tornado exposed the bottom of the Wabash River. Grazulis
May 12 1886 United States Ohio Carpenter 2 (3 injuries) A large farm house was destroyed. Grazulis
May 12 1886 United States Indiana, Ohio Redkey Portland (Indiana), Fort Recovery, Wabash, Celina (Ohio) 6 (20 injuries) Farm houses were destroyed in both states. Most of the deaths were in farm houses that were leveled near Celina. There were reports of a large rafter carried 4 miles (6 km). Grazulis
April 21 1887 United States Kansas, Missouri Colony, Lone Elm, Kincaid, Blue Mound, Prescott (Kansas), Hume, Sprague, Rich Hill (Missouri) 21+ (250 injuries) About two thirds of Prescott, Kansas was damaged or destroyed, where at least 12 people died. Farms were leveled in both Kansas and Missouri. Grazulis
April 21 1887 United States Missouri Metz, Schell City 3 (20 injuries) At least 10 farm homes were destroyed. Grazulis
April 22 1887 United States Illinois, Indiana Bellmont, Mount Carmel (Illinois), Buena Vista (Indiana) 5 (15 injuries) Eight of the ten homes in Buena Vista were destroyed. Grazulis
February 19 1888 United States Illinois Vernon 24 (80 injuries) In places, the tornado left "no vestige of the shape of a building." About 350 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. Grazulis
May 6 1889 United States Kansas Pratt, Stafford 3 (30 injuries) Five farmhouses, a school, and a church were destroyed and at least two farms were entirely swept away. Grazulis
May 28 1889 United States Kansas Clements 2 (4 injuries) Ten farms were hit. Every building was blown away at one farm. Grazulis
Sources: Grazulis

1890s

Possible F4/EF4 tornadoes with no official rating or lower rating
Day Year Country Subdivision Location Fatalities Notes Rated by
February 12 1890 United States Missouri, Kentucky New Madrid (Missouri), Clinton (Kentucky) 11 (53 injuries) The tornado destroyed 75 buildings, including 55 homes, in Clinton with some small homes blown away. Grazulis
March 27 1890 United States Missouri, Illinois Shawneetown (Missouri), Grand Tower, Poplar Ridge, Carbondale (Illinois) 7 (80 injuries) Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – Homes were leveled and swept away. Twenty-seven homes were destroyed in Grand Tower. Grazulis
March 27 1890 United States Missouri, Illinois Thebes (Missouri), Mill Creek, Mount Pleasant (Illinois) 2 (30 injuries) Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – A few dozen farm homes and a school were destroyed. Chairs were carried 2 miles (3 km). Grazulis
March 27 1890 United States Kentucky, Illinois Metropolis, Bay City (Illinois), Blackford, Dixon, Sebree, Delaware, West Louisville (Kentucky) 21+ (200 injuries) Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – About 100 homes were damaged or destroyed in Metropolis, Illinois where water blown from the Ohio River reported reached rooftops. There were five deaths each in two families. Many deaths could not be confirmed and the death toll may have exceeded 31. The track crossed the Kentucky/Illinois state line twice and may have started in Missouri. It was likely a tornado family. Grazulis
March 27 1890 United States Kentucky, Indiana Shively, Louisville (Kentucky), Jeffersonville (Indiana) 76 (200 injuries) Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – Homes were leveled in Shivley and multi-story buildings were destroyed in downtown Louisville. Grazulis
March 27 1890 United States Kentucky Hartford, Sulphur Springs, Falls of Rough, Rineyville 7 (40 injuries) Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – Farm communities were destroyed and homes reportedly vanished. Grazulis
May 4 1890 United States Texas Indian Gap 0 (0 injuries) Ten homes were leveled, but residents were able to take shelter in time because the large funnel was highly visible. There were rumors that a traveler was killed. Grazulis
May 9 1890 United States Missouri Albany, Martinsville, Blythedale 4 (20 injuries) Twenty homes were destroyed. This event was likely a family of two tornadoes. Grazulis
June 3 1890 United States Nebraska Bradshaw 7+ (40 injuries) All businesses and most homes in Bradshaw were damaged or destroyed. There were rumors of 10 additional deaths. Grazulis
June 4 1890 United States Iowa Vincent, Thor, Renwick 0 (2 injuries) Grazulis assigned a conservative F3 rating, but states that damage could probably be rated F4. Two homes were destroyed and trees were debarked. One rumored death could not be confirmed. Grazulis
June 20 1890 United States Illinois Amboy, Sublette, Illinois, West Brooklyn, Compton, Paw Paw 13 (60 injuries) At least 30 homes were destroyed and a school was leveled; six students and a teacher were killed. Grazulis
July 22 1890 United States Minnesota Taunton, Ghent 1+ (5 injuries) Two farms were destroyed and chickens were carried more than 2 miles (3 km). One other person may have died. Grazulis
May 20 1891 United States Missouri Sturgeon, Centralia, Mexico, Rush Hill, Laddonia 4 (35 injuries) 1891 Missouri tornado – Homes were leveled, trees were debarked, and water was reportedly emptied from wells. There may have been a 9-mile (14 km) break in the path. Grazulis
March 31 1892 United States Kansas South Haven, Wellington 7+ (40 injuries) Farms were destroyed. Four or five people died in one family when a reaper was thrown into a house Grazulis
March 31 1892 United States Kansas Rose Hill, Towanda, DeGraff 9+ (60 injuries) Towanda was destroyed. There were unconfirmed reports of additional deaths. Grazulis
March 31 1892 United States Kansas Wamego, Louisville 5 (10 injuries) A large home was leveled, resulting in four deaths. Elsewhere, one body was reportedly carried half a mile (0.8 km) Grazulis
May 12 1892 United States Oklahoma Aaron, Altus 5+ (25 injuries) Two farms were completely swept away. One report stated that six people died. Grazulis
May 27 1892 United States Kansas Attica, Kellogg, Harper, Wellington 17 (100 injuries) Many farms and a large section of Wellington were leveled. Many deaths were in the destruction of a hotel in Wellington. Grazulis
May 31 1892 United States Texas Troy, Durango 10 (20 injuries) Nine people died in a single home home that was blown away. One person in the house survived. Grazulis
December 6 1892 United States Texas Atlanta, Queen City 1 (25 injuries) Farm houses and barns were blown away. The fatality was a child who was carried a quarter mile (0.4 km). Grazulis
Sources: Grazulis

1910s

Possible F4/EF4 tornadoes with no official rating or lower rating
Day Year Country Subdivision Location Fatalities Notes Rated by
May 30 1917 United States Missouri Carter, Wayne, Butler, Bollinger 18 (200+ injuries) A violent F4 tornado hit the southeast Missouri counties of Carter, Wayne, and Butler, causing 18 deaths and 200 injuries along its 50-mile path. It virtually leveled the town of Dongola in Bollinger County and caused considerable damage on the south edge of Zalma. Grazulis


1940s

Possible F4/EF4 tornadoes with no official rating or lower rating
Day Year Country Subdivision Location Fatalities Notes Rated by
April 30 1940 United States Illinois Alexander, Pulaski, Cache 1 (9 injuries) A possible F4 tornado hit Alexander and Pulaski counties in Illinois. It moved northeast near Cache, passing across the north side of Mounds along its 13-mile path. Three homes were leveled in total, killing 1 and severely injuring 9. Grazulis

Post-1949

Possible F4/EF4 tornadoes with no official rating or different rating
Day Year Country Subdivision Location Fatalities Notes Rated by
August 7 1950 Germany Rhineland-Palatinate Andernach 0 Swirling utility poles marked the devastating path of the natural event. Heavy trunks had been swirled hundreds of meters away. Considerable damage occurred on a chicken farm and the beets were torn out of a field, meaning it was "probably F3 or F4 tornado?" ESSL
June 8 1951 United States Oklahoma Corn 0 This is event is officially documented as a single F3 tornado, but photographs showed that there were actually two slow-moving tornadoes from one storm. Grazulis rated the larger one that hit Corn F4. It destroyed 25 homes and 22 farm buildings, damaged 80 additional homes and buildings, and killed 26 heads of hogs and cattle and 1,650 chickens. Objects picked up by the tornado was carried as far as 90 miles (140 km) away. Ample warning prior to the storm striking the towns resulted in no casualties from this tornado. This tornado was the first in the United States to be caught on film and was also one of the most photographed tornadoes in Oklahoma at the time. Grazulis rated the second tornado, which destroyed several barns before dissipating west of Corn, F2 and noted that it may have been anticyclonic. Grazulis
June 27 1951 United States Illinois Heman 0 Tornado outbreak sequence of June 25–27, 1951 – The tornado is officially rated F3. Grazulis also rated the tornado F3, but noted that it caused "probable F4 damage." Two entire farms were "wiped out" near Heman. Grazulis
April 9 1953 United States Indiana Newtown 3 The tornado is officially listed as a long-tracked F3 tornado, but it is listed by Grazulis as family of four tornadoes, the second of which he rated F4 based on the damage done north of Newtown. Grazulis
April 9 1953 United States Indiana Fairview 3 The tornado is officially listed as a long-tracked F3 tornado, but it is listed by Grazulis as family of four tornadoes, the fourth of which he rated F4 based on the damage done near Fairview. Official records do not bring the tornado into Randolph County, where the damage reportedly took place. Grazulis
May 9 1953 United States Nebraska Hebron 5 1953 Waco tornado outbreak – The tornado is officially listed as an F3 and Grazulis also rated it F3. However, he noted that F4 damage may have occurred outside of Hebron where two of 13 homes were described as "leveled." The top of Hebron High School was also torn off. Grazulis
May 10 1953 United States Wisconsin Amery 4 1953 Waco tornado outbreak – This is officially listed as a long-tracked F2 tornado, but was more likely a family of tornadoes according to Grazulis, who rated the tornado F4 based on a swath of severe damage from east of New Richmond to near Amery. In all, 113 homes were damaged or destroyed and 215 other structures were affected by this tornado according to reports from local staff of the American Red Cross, although damage outside of the most severe damage in Amery was in sparsely populated areas and not well documented. Grazulis
April 5 1954 United States Missouri, Iowa Siam (IA) 0 Official records list the storm as an F2 tornado, but it was rated F4 by Grazulis. At least two farm homes were leveled and swept away. The track of the tornado is incorrectly listed in the NCEI as only being in Taylor County, Iowa. Grazulis
June 20 1957 United States Minnesota Glyndon, Riverton 0 Tornado outbreak sequence of June 20–23, 1957 – Three farms were destroyed with near-F5 damage to one home. Officially, this storm is listed as part of the track of the F5 tornado that hit Fargo, North Dakota, but a study by Fujita found the track to be a five-member tornado family, of which the Fargo tornado was the third and this one was the fourth. Fujita, Grazulis
Jun 6 1963 United States South Dakota near Martin 0 Produced possible F5 damage over farmland north of Martin according to Grazulis, who rated the tornado as an F4. A church "disappeared" and one home "seemed to evaporate into the air." This tornado is listed as only F3 in the official database. Grazulis
Mar 24 1969 United States Virginia near South Boston 1 (4 injuries) A six-room farmhouse was leveled, its debris strewn for acres. This tornado is listed as only F3 in the official database, but was rated F4 by Grazulis.[23] Grazulis
May 28 2013 United States Kansas near Bennington 0 Tornado outbreak of May 26–31, 2013 – A large, very slow-moving, and erratic wedge tornado remained over mostly farm lands. Numerous outbuildings were destroyed, farm equipment was damaged, and power poles and tees were downed. It was initially rated EF4 based on DOW wind measurements showing that tornado had winds in the EF4-EF5 range, but was downgraded since none of the damage indicators were over EF3. However, it was acknowledged that the tornado was likely at least EF4 intensity at some point in its life. NCEI
April 13 2019 United States Mississippi Greenwood Springs 0 Tornado outbreak of April 13–15, 2019 – This EF2 tornado tracked through wooded areas and downed numerous trees. A few homes sustained roof damage as well. In a later analysis published in the Monthly Weather Review, it was noted that, "this tornado produced forest devastation and electrical infrastructure damage up to at least EF4 intensity" with winds up to 182 mph. Anthony W. Lyza, Barrett T. Goudeau, Kevin R. Knupp
March 22 2022 United States Louisiana Gretna, Arabi, New Orleans East 1 (2 injuries) Tornado outbreak of March 21–23, 2022 – This EF3 tornado tracked through the New Orleans metropolitan area, damaging or destroying numerous structures. One house that was swept off its raised foundation with all walls and the roof destroyed received an EF3 rating “due to poor construction”. NCEI
Sources: Grazulis, ESSL ([8]), Tornadoliste Deutschland ([24]) Monthly Weather Review ([25])

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The winds estimated by the Fujita Scale are estimated values and have not been verified scientifically.[3]
  2. ^ Was not responsible for the rating, but is the only source for Heino Tooming's rating.
  3. ^ Was not directly responsible for the rating, but had a participate involved in an academically published paper that included the rating.

References

  1. ^ "U.S. Tornado Climatology". National Climatic Data Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. May 20, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
  2. ^ Paul Rincon (July 11, 2003). "UK, Holland top twister league". British Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  3. ^ a b "Fujita Tornado Damage Scale". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2006. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  4. ^ "The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale)". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. August 4, 2011. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  5. ^ "Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  6. ^ Rowe, M. W. (1976). "Tornadoes in medieval Britain" (PDF). Journal of Meteorology. 1 (7): 219–222. ISSN 1748-2992.
  7. ^ "Tornado Country — NOVA - PBS". www.pbs.org.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "European Severe Weather Database". European Severe Storms Laboratory. 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  9. ^ Kühne, Thilo. "[Tornado] 11.09.1535 - Oels / Oleśnica (DOL|PL)". Skywarn Deutschland. Thilo Kühne. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  10. ^ "Rockhausen (TH)". Tornadoliste Deutschland. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  11. ^ Raymond, Ted. "Dunrobin tornado strongest to hit eastern Ontario since 1902". CFRA 580 News Talk Radio. Archived from the original on 2018-10-06. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  12. ^ "Cyclone in Ontario". The News and Alberta Irrigationist. July 30, 1902. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  13. ^ "19 Jul 1902, 1 - Calgary Herald at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  14. ^ Dagmar Skamlová' "Regina Cyclone." The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. "The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan | Details". Archived from the original on 2011-08-26. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  15. ^ Paul, Alexander H. (May 1995). "F3 and F4 Tornadoes in Saskatchewan" (PDF). Report to SGI. Saskatchewan Tornado Project, University of Regina. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  16. ^ "Tornado Climatology of Finland". Monthly Weather Review. 140 (5): 1446–1456. May 1, 2012. doi:10.1175/MWR-D-11-00196.1. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  17. ^ "Tornado sin precedentes en muchos años". ReliefWeb. Government of Cuba. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  18. ^ "Windsor Tornado – June 17, 1946". Environment Canada. July 26, 2004. Archived from the original on 2003-01-11. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
  19. ^ Historical Tornado-Related Events – Atmospheric Hazards Web Site – Ontario – Adaptation and Impacts Research Group – [Meteorological Service of Canada – The Green Lane]. Archived 2010-04-07 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ Corazzon, Paolo (2002). I più grandi eventi meteorologici della storia. Alpha Test.
  21. ^ "Waterspouts". The Gallery of Natural Phenomena. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  22. ^ a b Grazulis 1993, p. 612.
  23. ^ Grazulis 1993, p. 1103.
  24. ^ "Tornadoliste Deutschland". tornadoliste.de. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  25. ^ Lyza, Anthony W.; Goudeau, Barrett T.; Knupp, Kevin R. (2022). "Damage Analysis and Close-Range Radar Observations of the 13 April 2019 Greenwood Springs, Mississippi, Tornado during VORTEX-SE Meso18-19". Monthly Weather Review. 150 (7): 1873–1893. Bibcode:2022MWRv..150.1873L. doi:10.1175/MWR-D-21-0281.1. Retrieved 2022-08-15.

Sources