Tornadoes are a terrifying example of Mother Nature’s unbridled power, causing massive destruction and devastation. While tornadoes happen every year, some storms stand our for the sheer power, loss of life, and cost of the damage they wrought. Here are some that made the news headlines around the world.
Havana, Cuba Tornado, 2019
The 2019 Havana tornado was a rare event in Cuba, with winds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour. The tornado caused severe damage, uprooting trees and demolishing homes. Three people died, and 172 were injured, highlighting the unpredictability of tornadoes even in regions where they are uncommon.
La Plata, Maryland Tornado, 2002
In 2002, La Plata, Maryland, was hit by its strongest recorded tornado. Originating from a supercell thunderstorm, it damaged or destroyed over 600 buildings, resulting in three deaths and 122 injuries. The tornado’s 113-kilometer path demonstrated the potential for significant destruction even on the East Coast.
Oklahoma Outbreak, 1999
The Oklahoma Outbreak on May 3, 1999, produced at least 45 tornadoes, including an F5 tornado near Oklahoma City that caused severe damage. The storm killed 47 people and injured over 775. Early warning systems played a key role in preventing even greater loss of life.
Super Outbreak, 1974
The 1974 Super Outbreak remains the worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history. In just 16 hours, nearly 150 tornadoes hit 13 states, causing 330 deaths and over 5,484 injuries. The most infamous tornado in this outbreak devastated Xenia, Ohio, destroying half the town. This event emphasized the need for better forecasting technology, which now provides more timely warnings.
Palm Sunday Outbreak, 1965
The Palm Sunday Outbreak of 1965 saw 51 tornadoes sweep across the Upper Midwest, particularly in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. Over 260 people died, and 3,400 were injured, with the lack of effective warnings playing a significant role in the high death toll. This tragedy spurred major improvements in tornado warning systems in the U.S.
Joplin Tornado, 2011
The Joplin tornado of 2011, an F5 storm, remains the costliest in U.S. history. With 158 lives lost and $2.8 billion in damages, it highlights the growing impact of tornadoes in the modern era.
Glazier-Higgins-Woodward Tornado, 1947
In 1947, a supercell generated 12 tornadoes across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The most devastating of these, an F5 tornado, claimed 181 lives, illustrating the deadly potential of storms in the Great Plains.
St. Louis Tornado, 1896
In 1896, an F4 tornado caused massive destruction in St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois. Part of a larger outbreak, this storm resulted in 255 deaths and widespread urban damage.
Great Natchez Tornado, 1840
The Great Natchez Tornado of 1840 wreaked havoc along the Mississippi River, claiming at least 317 lives. It’s particularly notable for the high number of fatalities among enslaved workers on nearby plantations.
Dixie Outbreak, 1908
The Dixie Outbreak of 1908 spanned 13 states, with 31 tornadoes leaving at least 324 people dead. This event is remembered for its widespread devastation across the Midwest and Southern U.S.
Tupelo-Gainesville Outbreak, 1936
The Tupelo-Gainesville Outbreak of 1936 involved at least two F5 tornadoes, tearing through Tupelo, Mississippi, and Gainesville, Georgia. This series of storms, accompanied by flash floods, led to 454 deaths, marking it as one of the most devastating tornado events in the Southeastern U.S.
The Narail-Magura Tornado, 1964
On April 11, 1964, a devastating tornado struck the Narail and Magura regions of Bangladesh. Though less well-known, this disaster caused around 500 deaths, with entire villages like Bhabanipur completely wiped out.
The Sicily Tornado, 1851
In December 1851, a waterspout off the coast of Sicily turned into a deadly tornado when it made landfall. Although records are sparse due to the time period, it’s known that around 500 people lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest tornadoes in European history.
The Valletta, Malta Tornado, 1550s
One of the earliest recorded tornadoes, the Valletta tornado of the 1550s, struck Malta’s Grand Harbour with deadly force. Over 600 people perished, a staggering number considering the era’s limited ability to respond to such disasters.
Manikganj, Singair, and Nawabganj Tornado, 1973
On April 17, 1973, the Manikganj, Singair, and Nawabganj regions of Bangladesh were ravaged by a tornado that claimed 681 lives. This deadly storm obliterated nine towns, including the complete destruction of Balurchar village. Some estimates suggest the death toll could have been over 1,000.
The Tri-State Tornado, 1925
On March 18, 1925, the United States experienced its most lethal tornado ever recorded. The Tri-State Tornado, an F5 monster, ripped through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana for 3.5 hours, killing 695 people. It more than doubled the death toll of the previous record-holder, the Great Natchez Tornado of 1840.
Oklahoma Tornado, 2013
The 2013 Oklahoma tornado is unforgettable due to its sheer size and force. Stretching across nearly 20 miles, this EF-4 tornado, with winds surpassing 166 mph, tore through Moore, Oklahoma, and surrounding areas. The devastation was immense, resulting in 24 deaths, over 230 injuries, and a landscape of utter destruction.
