Technical Report 99-02

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National Climatic Data Center

1998-1999

Tornadoes and a

Long-Term 

U.S. Tornado

Climatology

Neal Lott, Sam McCown, Tom Ross

US Department of Commerce

NOAA/ NESDIS

National Climatic Data Center

Asheville, NC 28801-5696

November, 1999

Updated August, 2000
1

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National Climatic Data Center Technical Report No. 99-02

1998-1999 Tornadoes and a Long-Term 

U.S. Tornado Climatology

Neal Lott, Sam McCown, Tom Ross

November 1999

Updated August 2000

U.S. Dept of Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service

National Climatic Data Center

Asheville, NC 28801-5001

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2

INTRODUCTION

This report provides climatological summaries and maps for tornadoes in the United States, with

specific information concerning tornadoes during 1998-1999. The years 1998 and 1999 were

quite active for tornadoes in the U.S., with well-above average numbers of fatalities. It is

interesting to note that the winter-spring of 1998 was dominated by El Nino conditions, while the

winter-spring of 1999 was dominated by La Nina, thus showing that active tornado seasons may

occur in either situation. However, the 1998 season was much more active in the southeast, while

1999 saw a shift of activity farther west—very much as expected. Also, these 2 years produced a

total of 3 tornadoes of F5 intensity and 11 tornadoes of F4 intensity, for a total of 14 in the

violent F4-F5 category.

1998 STATISTICS

For 1998, NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center reported that 1424 tornadoes occurred for the year

across the U.S. This was a new record, resulting in 130 fatalities, the most since 1974. It's

important to note that recent years' tornado statistics are more complete, so it's quite possible that

the 1424 total has been exceeded at least once during the 1900's. Table 1 is a list of tornadoes

which resulted in fatalities during 1998.

Table 1: Fatalities Due to Tornadoes, 1998, Storm Prediction Center

 # DATE TIME LOCATION Deaths A B C D WATCH# F CIRC

 = ====== ==== ===================== ====== = = = = ====== 

 1 FEB 22 2155 SOUTH DAYTONA FL 1 1 0 0 0 WT0058 F2 01M

 2 FEB 22 2241 WINTER GARDEN FL 3 3 0 0 0 WT0058 F3 03M

 3 FEB 22 2310 SANFORD FL 13 13 0 0 0 WT0058 F3 12M 01H

 4 FEB 22 2340 KISSIMMEE FL 25 25 0 0 0 WT0058 F3 14M 11V

 5 MAR 20 0525 2S MURRAYVILLE GA 12 0 0 0 12 F3 11M 01V 

 6 MAR 20 1425 STONEVILLE NC 2 2 0 0 0 WT0116 F3 01V 01H

 7 MAR 29 1630 COMFREY MN 1 1 0 0 0 WT0132 F4 01H

 8 MAR 29 1718 ST PETER MN 1 1 0 0 0 WT0132 F3 01V

 9 APR 01 1806 BEAVER DAM VA 2 0 0 2 0 F3 02H

10 APR 08 1852 PLEASANT GROVE AL 32 32 0 0 0 WT0194 F5 29H 03M

11 APR 08 1956 2NNE MOODY AL 2 2 0 0 0 WT0194 F2 02M

12 APR 08 2235 1SE DUNWOODY GA 1 1 0 0 0 WT0192 F2 01H

13 APR 09 0345 3NE PEMBROKE GA 2 2 0 0 0 WT0197 F3 02M

14 APR 09 0435 4 ENE DONALD GA 3 3 0 0 0 WT0197 F2 03M

15 APR 09 0445 FT STEWART GA 1 1 0 0 0 WT0197 F2 01P

16 APR 16 0150 MANILA AR 2 2 0 0 0 WT0222 F4 02M

17 APR 16 0300 RO ELLEN TN 2 2 0 0 0 WT0222 F3 02M

18 APR 16 1430 NASHVILLE TN 1 1 0 0 0 WT0232 F3 01O

19 APR 16 1545 GLASGOW KY 2 2 0 0 0 WT0234 F3 01M 01O

20 APR 16 1553 WISDOM KY 1 1 0 0 0 WT0234 F2 01H

21 APR 16 1615 8SW WAYNESBORO TN 3 3 0 0 0 WT0232 F5 02M 01H

22 APR 16 2220 7W CLEVELAND TN 1 1 0 0 0 WT0239 F1 01H

23 MAY 07 1815 EDGEFIELD SC 1 1 0 0 0 WT0303 F3 01M

24 MAY 10 1525 SUMMERVILLE SC 1 1 0 0 0 WT0327 F2 01M

25 MAY 15 1540 ALBANY MN 1 1 0 0 0 WS0354 F1 01O
3

26 MAY 30 1926 SPENCER SD 6 6 0 0 0 WT0468 F4 06P 

27 MAY 31 1850 SALISBURY PA 1 1 0 0 0 WT0483 F3 01V

28 JUN 02 2000 LAKE CAREY PA 2 2 0 0 0 WT0493 F3 02H

29 JUN 27 1805 SUMMERFIELD OH 1 0 1 0 0 WS0682 F2 01M

30 SEP 03 0638 ST HELENA IS SC 1 0 0 0 1 F2 01M

31 SEP 10 2240 CUT OFF LA 1 0 0 0 1 F2 01M

32 OCT 17 0915 SILVER CITY TX 1 0 0 0 1 F2 01M

33 OCT 18 0530 BROOKSHIRE TX 1 0 0 0 1 F2 01M

 -- -- - - - 

TOTALS: 130 110 2 2 16 

BY STATE: FL 42 AL 34 GA 19 TN 07 SD 06 KY 03 MN 03 PA 03 SC 03 

 AR 02 NC 02 TX 02 VA 02 LA 01 OH 01 

 

BY CIRCUMSTANCE: 65M 40H 15V 07P 03O 

 

LEGEND

TIME = The local time that the tornado struck the location.

A = Fatalities occurred in tornado watch area

B = Fatalities occurred in severe thunderstorm watch area

C = Fatalities occurred "close" to the watch (15 minutes or 25 miles) area

D = Fatalities occurred with no watch in effect

WATCH# = The watch number in effect at the time of the tornado, as defined by WS or WT.

WS = Severe thunderstorm watch (followed by watch number)

WT = Tornado watch (followed by watch number)

F = Fujita scale damage rating, if available. If not known, "?" is used. See notes on page 16.

CIRC = Circumstance for fatalities, as defined by letters below. For example, “01M” = 1 fatality in mobile home.

H = House

M = Mobile home

O = Outdoors

P = Permanent structure (school, garage, factory, warehouse, truck stop, etc.)

V = Vehicle (includes parked RVs)

1999 STATISTICS

For 1999, 1343 tornadoes were documented–see Figure 1 for a long-term graph. This ranks as
4

the second most active year, behind the count of 1424 recorded in 1998. Tornadoes resulted in

94 fatalities during 1999. It’s important to note that the tornado observations have generally

improved with time as better observing practices and instrumentation (especially weather radar

and satellites) were utilized. Therefore, the number of tornadoes reported in earlier years was

probably lower than what actually occurred. Table 2 provides details on fatalities due to

tornadoes during 1999, while Table 3 provides monthly statistics for 1996-1999.

Figure 1

Table 2: Fatalities Due to Tornadoes, 1999, Storm Prediction Center

State Killer Deaths F Killer Deaths 

 Torns. Scale Torns.

OK 6 42 F0 0 0

TN 5 12 F1 5 6

AR 4 8 F2 8 9

LA 1 7 F3 9 14

KS 1 6 F4 8 29

OH 1 4 F5 1 36

TX 5 6 F? 0 0

IL 3 3 TOTAL 31 94

IA 1 2 

NC 1 1

MS 1 1

UT 1 1

SD 1 1

TOTAL 31 94
5

Num Date Time Location Deaths F Watch#

 

 January Killer Tornadoes: 9 Fatalities: 18

 

01 Jan 2 12:55 AM Buna TX 001 F2 WT0003

The tornado rolled a tied-down mobile home at least 5 times.

This is where the fatality occurred.

 

02 Jan 17 06:25 PM Bemis TN 006 F4 WT0012

The tornado destroyed over 200 homes.

 

03 Jan 17 06:40 PM Saulsbury TN 001 F1 WT0012

Over 40 homes were damaged or destroyed.

04 Jan 17 07:05 PM Atwood TN 001 F1 WT0013

The tornado moved northeast from Atwood.

 

05 Jan 21 04:45 PM Center Hill AR 002 F2 WT0018

 

06 Jan 21 06:20 PM Sunnydale AR 001 F2 WT0018

A woman was killed when her mobile home was thrown by the tornado.

 

07 Jan 21 06:47 PM Little Rock AR 003 F3 WT0018

At least 750 structures were damaged by this tornado. People

were killed in a grocery store, in a mobile home, and in a car.

08 Jan 21 07:35 PM Beebe AR 002 F3 WT0018

An elderly woman and an infant were killed in Beebe.

09 Jan 22 03:30 AM 7N Camden TN 001 F3 WT0027

This tornado killed a woman when she left her shelter to retrieve her dogs.

 March Killer Tornadoes: 1 Fatalities: 1

10 Mar 2 06:55 PM Holly Springs TX 001 F3 WS0063

A fast moving tornado partially demolished a brick home where

a woman was killed.

 

 April Killer Tornadoes: 6 Fatalities: 15

11 Apr 3 04:03 PM Benton LA 007 F4 WT0112

Over 380 businesses and homes were destroyed by this violent tornado.

12 Apr 8 07:57 PM Ashland IL 001 F1 WT0138

13 Apr 8 09:35 PM 3N Cisco IL 001 F1 WT0138

14 Apr 9 04:15 AM Blue Ash OH 004 F4 WT0141

This early morning tornado killed 2 people in homes and 2 people in vehicles.

15 Apr 14 10:00 PM Hebron MS 001 F3 WT0156

This tornado injured 30 and killed a man in a mobile home.

16 Apr 15 07:15 PM 3E Pembroke NC 001 F2 WT0159
6

 May Killer Tornadoes: 10 Fatalities: 53

17 May 3 05:23 PM Bridge Creek/Moore OK 036 F5 WT0198

Large tornado formed near Chickasha OK and tracked nearly 40

miles across the southern suburbs of Oklahoma City.

18 May 3 07:30 PM Haysville/Wichita KS 006 F4 WT0200

19 May 3 08:05 PM Shawnee OK 001 F2 WT0198

20 May 3 08:10 PM Dover OK 001 F4 WT0198

21 May 3 08:36 PM Abell OK 001 F4 WT0198

22 May 3 09:20 PM 6S Perry OK 001 F2 WT0198

23 May 4 01:04 PM 6SE Talco TX 001 F3 WT0208

24 May 5 07:20 PM Linden TN 003 F4 WT0218

25 May 11 05:05 PM Loyal Valley TX 001 F4 WT0248

26 May 16 03:16 PM 3S Logan IA 002 F3 WT0272

 June Killer Tornadoes: 3 Fatalities: 4

27 Jun 1 04:35 PM 4W Hulbert OK 002 F3 WT0352

28 Jun 1 06:00 PM Raymond IL 001 F3 WT0353

29 Jun 4 06:30 PM Ogdala SD 001 F2 WT????

Two tornadoes reported. 30-50 buildings damaged.

 August Killer Tornadoes: 1 Fatalities: 1

30 Aug 11 11:46 AM Salt Lake City UT 001 F2

First tornado fatality in Utah recorded history.

 December Killer Tornadoes: 1 Fatalities: 2

31 Dec 3 09:40 PM Chico TX 002 F1 WS713

See Table 1 for legend of letters used above.
7

Table 3: Monthly Tornado Statistics, 1996-1999, Storm Prediction Center

 Number of Tornadoes Number of Tornado Deaths 

 1999 1998 1997 1996 1999 1998 1997 1996 

 Prelim Final Prelim Final Final Final

 JAN 169 212 20 47 50 35 18 - 2 1 

 FEB 18 22 56 72 23 14 - 42 1 1 

 MAR 28 56 66 72 102 71 1 16 28 6 

 

 APR 152 176 196 182 114 177 15 55 1 12 

 MAY 325 311 309 312 225 235 54 10 29 1 

 JUN 275 289 372 376 193 128 4 3 - - 

 

 JUL 82 100 59 80 188 202 - - 4 1 

 AUG 86 79 32 61 84 72 1 - 1 - 

 SEP 42 56 61 104 32 101 - 2 1 - 

 

 OCT 5 18 64 86 100 68 - 2 - - 

 NOV 10 9 18 26 25 55 - - - 2 

 DEC 13 15 1 6 12 15 2 - - 1 

Total 1205 1343 1254 1424 1148 1173 94 130 67 25 

 

REVIEW OF SEVERAL EVENTS DURING 1998-1999

February 1998

During the late evening of February 22 and early morning of February 23, 1998, a series of

tornadoes ripped across central Florida. At least one of the tornadoes reached an estimated F4

intensity. Forty-two fatalities occurred, over 800 residences were destroyed, another 700 were

left uninhabitable, over 3500 were damaged to some extent, and 135,000 utility customers lost

power at the height of the storms. Damages from the tornado outbreak exceeded $60 million, and

Florida's overall storm damage total for fall 1997 through winter 1998 was approximately $500

million. Hardest hit locations in the tornado outbreak were Winter Garden, Altamonte Springs,

Sanford, and Campbell. Overall, 54 of Florida's 67 counties were declared federal disaster areas

due to storms over the fall-winter period. See Figures 6-8 for NEXRAD images of the storm

system crossing the state.

April 1998

As the El Nino winter of 1998 continued (with the resulting strong subtropical jet stream across

the southern U.S.), another series of tornadoes struck the southeast from April 8 through April

16. An F5 intensity tornado hit Pleasant Grove, AL on April 8, killing 32 people. The same

storm system resulted in numerous tornadoes across Alabama and Georgia, resulting in 41 deaths

on April 8-9. 

Then, on April 16, another outbreak—this time across Arkansas and Tennessee, produced one F4

tornado (Manila, AR) and one F5 (near Waynesboro, TN). Twelve fatalities occurred on this day,

bringing the death toll for the month to 55. Storm-related losses across the southeast during
8

winter-spring 1998 were well over $1 billion (mainly due to tornadoes, with some damage due to

flooding), and the death toll was 132. 

January 1999

The weather pattern took on a spring-like flavor during late January 1999 as milder temperatures

returned to the lower half of the country. This trend in combination with fast moving storms

coming in from the Pacific spawned a record number of January tornadoes. Three significant

tornado outbreaks occurred, resulting in 18 deaths. The first outbreak occurred on January 2 in

southeast Texas and along the western Gulf coast; the second outbreak occurred on January 17 in

Tennessee (including one F4); and the third on January 21-22, again mostly in and near Arkansas

and Tennessee. Overall damages for these events exceeded $1 billion.

Final figures show January 1999 with 212 reported tornadoes - 1325% of the normal for the

month, which is 16 based on the 1953-1998 period. This is the highest number of tornadoes ever

reported in the month of January; the second highest January total was 52 back in 1975. 

Systematic recording and reporting of tornadoes by the National Weather Service (NWS) began

in 1916. However, it is impractical to make a comparison of recent tornado data with the early

historical records due to population growth, increased alertness to and general interest in these

storms, and advances in monitoring and observational techniques.

May 1999

Devastating tornadoes hit portions of Oklahoma and Kansas on Monday evening May 3, 1999.

The death toll was 50, with 44 storm-related fatalities in Oklahoma and six in the Wichita, KS

area. Additionally, the same storm system resulted in one death in Texas and four deaths in

Tennessee, bringing its total to 55. The largest tornado (F-5) on the Fujita-Pearson Tornado

Scale formed about 30 miles southwest of Oklahoma City and cut a path at least a half-mile wide

as it moved north and east across the Oklahoma City area, staying on the ground for 1 hour and

22 minutes. Additionally, this system produced four F4 tornadoes, for an amazing total of five in

the F4-F5 range. An estimated 76 tornadoes occurred during the event across the southern plains

states. Oklahoma officials estimate that 8093 homes or businesses were damaged or destroyed;

while Kansas estimates 1109 homes or businesses were destroyed. A track map (Figure 9),

courtesy of the NWS Office in Norman, OK, shows the approximate damage paths and highest

Fujita scale ratings for tornadoes occurring in Central Oklahoma on May 3, 1999. Overall

damages exceeded $1 billion.
9

CLIMATOLOGY

Table 4 shows the locations of tornado-related fatalities during the period 1985-1998. As

expected, mobile homes lead the list, followed by permanent homes and vehicles. 

Table 5 is a tabulation of F5 tornadoes during the period 1880-1999. It’s important to note that

the tornado observations have generally improved with time as better observing practices and

instrumentation (especially weather radar and satellites) were utilized. Therefore, the number of

F5 tornadoes reported in earlier years was probably lower than what actually occurred.

Figures 2-5 show the average number of tornadoes by state for the period 1950-1995, in four

presentations. The first shows the average number of strong to violent (F2-F5) tornadoes by

state, and the second shows the average number of strong to violent tornadoes per 10,000 square

miles by state. The third shows the average for all tornadoes (F0-F5), while the fourth shows the

average per 10,000 square miles by state. The maps showing averages per 10,000 square miles

are much more representative of our true climatology for tornadoes, since states vary greatly in

areal coverage. The map showing averages for strong to violent tornadoes per 10,000 square

miles is very representative of risks for fatalities and serious damage, since most damage and

fatalities are related to F2 to F5 tornadoes. Figure 10 shows the trend for F3 to F5 tornadoes,

with annual totals for 1950 through 1999.

Table 4: Tornado Fatalities by Circumstance, 1985-1998, Storm Prediction Center

 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Total

 

 

 Mobile Home 28 7 24 21 12 7 20 20 13 26 8 14 30 65 295

Permanent Home 40 3 7 6 8 11 3 18 6 14 15 8 23 40 202

 Vehicle 4 3 3 3 16 14 4 - 7 3 4 2 3 15 81

 Business - - - 2 4 15 - - 3 - - - 3 7 34

 Outside Open - - 3 - - 1 12 1 3 26 3 - 7 3 59

 Other/Unknown 22 2 - - 1 - - - - - - 1 1 - 27

 School - - - - 9 5 - - 1 - - - - - 15

Long-span Roof - - 22 - - - - - - - - - - - 22

 

 Total 94 15 59 32 50 53 39 39 33 69 30 25 67 130 735
10

Table 5: Historical F5 Tornadoes

 List of U.S. F5 Tornadoes

 (1880 - 1999)

 Distance

 Date Time Location Deaths Injuries (Miles)/

 (LST) Width (Yards) 

 1 Apr 24, 1850 IL 6 33 13 miles/500

 1880 West Prairie yd

 2 Jun 12, 1630 MO 2 15 30 miles/800

 1881 Hopkins Area yd

 3 Jun 17, 1830 IA 65 300 105 miles/800

 1882 Grinnell yd

 4 Apr 1, 1700 IN 8 70 12 miles/600

 1884 Oakville yd

 5 May 22, 1700 WI 3 10 20 miles/1200

 1893 Willow Springs Township yd

 6 Jul 6, 1635 IA 71 200 40 miles/ 800

 1893 Pomeroy yd

 7 Sep 21, 1930 IA 43 200 75 miles/1600

 1894 Kossuth Co. Area yd

 8 May 1, 1630 KS 8 25 22 miles/1200

 1895 Harvey Co.Area yd

 9 May 15, 1600 TX 73 200 15 miles/300

 1896 Sherman yd

 10 May 25, 1930 Ortonville - Oakwood 47 100 27 miles/800

 1896 Area yd

 11 Jun 11, 1700 NE / IA 5 2 13 miles/200

 1899 Salix, IA yd

 12 May 10, 1800 OK 97 150 40 miles/800

 1905 Synder yd

 13 Jun 5, 1630 IA / MN / WI 4 18 55 miles/800

 1906 Houston Co. (MN) Area yd

 14 Apr 23, 1800 NE 3 10 15 miles/400

 1908 Cuming - Thurston Cos. yd

 15 May 12, 1730 IA 0 20 20 miles/400

 1908 Frement - Page Cos. yd

 16 Jun 5, 2030 NE 11 30 35 miles/800

 1908 Fillmore Co. Area yd
11

 17 Apr 20, 1630 OK 0 6 15 miles/1600

 1912 Kingfisher Co. yd

 18 Apr 27, 1230 OK 15 40 90 miles/800

 1912 Kiowa - Canadian Cos. yd

 19 Jun 11, 1930 KS 0 0 15 miles/1600

 1915 Kiowa Co. yd

 20 May 25, 1400 KS 23 70 65 miles/1200

 1917 Andale & Sedgwick Areas yd

 21 Jun 5, 1705 KS 9 50 25 miles/600

 1917 Topeka Area yd

 22 May 21, 1430 IA 6 30 50 miles/800

 1918 Crawford -Greene Cos. yd

 23 Jun 22, 1600 MN 59 200 15 miles/400

 1919 Fergus Falls yd

 24 Apr 15, 1410 Harrison Co (TX) - Pike 62 300 105

 1921 Co (AR) miles/2000 yd

 Hempstead Co AR

 25 Mar 11, 2000 TN 20 70 15 miles/400

 1923 Pinson yd

 MO /IL/ IN

 Reynolds Co (MO)- Gibson

 CO (IN)

 Deaths: MO:13 IL:609

 26 Mar 18, 1301 IN:76 695 2027 219

 1925 Murphysboro (IL): 234, miles/1320 yd

 W. Frankfort (IL): 148,

 De Soto (IL): 69

 Tri-State Tornado

 KS

 27 May 7, 1800 Barber Co. - McPherson 10 300 95 miles/1600

 1927 Co. yd

 

 28 May 22, 1820 NE 8 10 25 miles/1200

 1933 Tryon Area yd

 29 Apr 26, 1415 NE 3 6 30 miles/1600

 1938 Oshkosh Area yd

 OK / KS

 30 Apr 14, 2300 Woodward Co. (OK) - 7 19 75 miles/800

 1939 Barber Co. (KS) yd

 31 Jun 18, 1510 MN 9 222 25 miles/400

 1939 Hennepin Co. - Anoka Co. yd
12

 IL

 32 Mar 16, 1600 Peoria Co. - Marshall 7 70 35 miles/400

 1942 Co. yd

 33 Apr 29, 2230 KS 15 25 20 miles/300

 1942 Oberlin Area yd

 WI /IL

 34 Jun 22, 2030 Grant Co. (WI) - 9 80 80 miles/400

 1944 Stevenson Co (IL) yd

 35 Apr 12, 1740 OK 69 353 28 miles/800

 1945 Antlers yd

 TX / OK / KS

 Hemphill Co (TX) -

 36 Apr 9, 1742 Barber Co (KS) 167 1000 170

 1947 Woodward (OK) miles/2000 yd

 Higgins, Glazier (TX)

 37 May 21, 1700 IL / IN 4 7 8 miles/50 yd

 1949 Palestine (IL)

 MS / TN

 Marshall Co. (MS) -

 38 Mar 21, 2145 Fayette Co (TN) 17 66 30 miles/400

 1952 Byhalia (MS) & Moscow yd

 (TN)

 TX

 39 May 11, 1610 Waco 114 597 23 miles/660

 1953 Downtown Devastated: yd

 Bricks 5 feet deep

 40 May 29, 2000 ND 2 20 20 miles/600

 1953 Ft. Rice (Morton Co.) yd

 MI

 41 Jun 8, 2030 Genesee Co. 116 867 20 miles/800

 1953 Flint yd

 42 Jun 27, 1545 IA 1 2 10 miles/200

 1953 Adair Area yd

 MS

 43 Dec 5, 1735 Warren Co. 38 270 7 miles/500

 1953 Vicksburg yd

 OK / KS

 Blackwell (OK)

 44 May 25, 2126 Remarkable electrical 20 280 23 miles/500

 1955 activity yd

 Glowing Funnel
13

 OK / KS

 45 May 25, 2215 Kay Co. (OK) - Cowley 80 270 30 miles/800

 1955 Co. (KS) yd

 Udall (KS)

 MI

 Allegan Co. - Montcalm

 46 Apr 3, 1830 Co. 18 340 65 miles/400

 1956 Hudsonville (Grand yd

 Rapids)

 KS / MO

 Osage Co. (KS) - Jackson

 47 May 20, 1815 Co. (MO) 44 531 71 miles/700

 1957 Kansas City Suburbs: yd

 Ruskin Heights

 Deaths: MO: 37, KS: 7

 ND / MN

 48 Jun 20, 1828 Fargo (ND) & Moorhead 10 103 9 miles/400

 1957 (MN) yd

 49 Dec 18, 1635 IL 1 6 5 miles/200

 1957 Sunfield (Perry Co.) yd

 WI

 50 Jun 4, 1730 St. Croix Co. - Chippewa 21 110 32 miles/880

 1958 Co. yd

 Colfax & Menomonie

 OK

 51 May 5, 1700 Pottawatomie Co. - Creek 5 81 85 miles/800

 1960 Co. yd

 Prague & Sapulpa

 52 May 30, 1700 NE 0 0 45 miles/400

 1961 Custer Co. - Valley Co. yd

 TX

 53 Apr 3, 1435 Wichita Falls / Sheppard 7 111 6 miles/500

 1964 AFB yd

 NE

 54 May 5, 1830 Clay Co. - Butler Co. 4 50 70 miles/800

 1964 Near Bradshaw yd

 IN

 St Joseph Co. - La

 55 Apr 11, 1910 Grange Co. 36 320 35 miles/400

 1965 Dunlap yd

 Palm Sunday Outbreak

 IN

 Montgomery Co. -

 56 Apr 11, 1950 Hamilton Co. 28 123 45 miles/800

 1965 Lebanon & Sheridan yd

 Palm Sunday Outbreak
14

 NE

 57 May 8, 1730 Howard Co. - Boone Co. 4 53 50 miles/400

 1965 Primrose yd

 SD

 58 May 8, 1715 Tripp Co. 0 1 25 miles/1600

 1965 Near Colome yd

 MS

 Hinds Co. - Leake Co.

 59 Mar 3, 1600 Jackson Area 57 504 80 miles/900

 1966 County Deaths: Hinds: yd

 19, Scott: 26, Rankin:

 6, Leake: 6

 KS

 60 Jun 8, 1900 Topeka 16 406 22 miles/800

 1966 $470 million damage* yd

 61 Oct 14, 1355 IA 6 172 12 miles/1000

 1966 Belmond Area yd

 KY / OH

 Greeenup Co. (KY) -

 62 Apr 23, 1605 Gallia Co. (OH) 7 92 38 miles/400

 1968 Wheelersburg & yd

 Gallipolis (OH)

 IA

 63 May 15, 1510 Floyd Co. - Howard Co. 13 462 65 miles/600

 1968 Charles City yd

 64 May 15, 1557 IA 5 156 15 miles/500

 1968 Oelwein & Maynard yd

 65 Jun 13, 1850 MN 9 125 13 miles/150

 1968 Tracy yd

 TX

 66 May 11, 2035 Lubbock (downtown) 26 500 8 miles/1600

 1970 $530 million damage* yd

 LA / MS

 Madison Parish (LA) -

 67 Feb 21, 1450 Leflore Co. (MS) 47 510 110 miles/600

 1971 Inverness (MS) yd

 Mississippi Delta

 Outbreak

 KY

 68 Apr 27, 2153 Gosser Ridge 2 72 14 miles/300

 1971 Questionable F5 status yd

 TX

 69 May 6, 1925 McLennon Co. - Bosque 0 0 10 miles/100

 1973 Co. yd

 Valley Hills
15

 Apr 3, 1974 Super Outbreak Seven F5 Tornadoes

 IN

 70 Apr 3, 1420 Perry Co. - Scott Co. 6 76 62 miles/1600

 1974 Martinsburg (Daisy Hill) yd

 IN / KY / OH

 Ohio Co.(IN) - Boone

 71 Apr 3, 1615 Co.(KY)- Hamilton 3 210 21 miles/500

 1974 Co. (OH) yd

 Cincinnati (Saylor Park)

 OH

 72 Apr 3, 1530 Xenia 34 1150 32 miles/800

 1974 $310 million damage* yd

 KY / IN

 73 Apr 3, 1530 Breckinridge Co.(KY) - 31 270 34 miles/800

 1974 Harrison Co.(IN) yd

 Brandenburg, KY

 AL

 Lawrence Co. - Madison

 Co.

 74 Apr 3, 1750 Nr Hunstville (Mt. Hope, 28 267 51 miles/500

 1974 Moulton & Harvest) yd

 Cty Deaths: Lawrence:

 14, Limestone: 5,

 Madison: 9

 AL / TN

 Lawrence Co.(AL) -

 Lincoln Co.(TN)

 75 Apr 3, 1825 Tanner, AL 22 241 50 miles/500

 1974 AL; 16 deaths, TN: 6 yd

 deaths

 1⁄2 - 1 mi N of Moulton

 tornado #74

 MS / AL

 Monroe Co.(MS) -

 Limestone Co.(AL)

 76 Apr 3, 1950 Guin, AL 30 332 102 miles/800

 1974 Aloft over Huntsville yd

 Damage path visible by

 satellite

 OK

 77 Mar 26, 1528 Leflore Co. 2 64 12 miles/300

 1976 Spiro yd

 78 Apr 19, 1730 TX 0 11 10 miles/300

 1976 Brownwood Area yd

 79 Jun 13, 1410 IA 0 9 20 miles/1000

 1976 Jordon Area yd
16

 AL

 80 Apr 4, 1640 Birmingham 22 130 15 miles/550

 1977 4 miles NW of downtown yd

 OK

 81 Apr 2, 1550 Choctaw Co. - McCurtain 0 29 53 miles/800

 1982 Co. yd

 Speer

 WI

 82 Jun 7-8, 2341 Iowa Co. - Dane Co. 9 200 36 miles/450

 1984 Barneveld yd

 OH / PA

 Portage Co.(OH) - Mercer

 83 May 31, 1730 Co.(PA) 18 310 47 miles/450

 1985 Niles & Hubbard (OH) yd

 Wheatland (PA)

 KS

 84 Mar 13, 1634 Reno Co. - McPherson Co. 1 60 48 miles/1320

 1990 Burrton & Hesston yd

 KS

 Harvey Co. - Marion Co.

 85 Mar 13, 1634 Developed as #84 1 0 22 miles/1320

 1990 Dissipated yd

 Goessel

 IL

 86 Aug 28, 1430 Kendall Co. - Will Co. 29 350 16 miles/600

 1990 Plainfield & Crest Hill yd

 $192 million damage*

 KS

 87 Apr 26, 1655 Sedwick Co. - Butler Co. 17 225 45 miles/700

 1991 Andover/Wichita yd

 (McConnell AFB)

 88 Jun 16, 1600 MN 1 3 16 miles/280

 1992 Chandler yd

 89 Jul 18, 1805 WI 0 12 13 miles/400

 1996 Oakfield yd

 TX

 90 May 27, 1440 Jarrell 27 12 5 miles/650

 1997 Pavement removed from 2 yd

 roads

 AL

 Tuscaloosa Co. -

 Jefferson Co.

 91 Apr 8, 1842 Oak Grove, Pleasant 32 259 24 miles/1320

 1998 Grove, McDonalds Chapel yd

 3 miles W downtown

 Birmingham
17

 TN

 92 Apr 16, 1615 Wayne Co. - Lawrence Co. 3 27 46 miles/1760

 1998 Grass/Dirt pulled from yd

 ground

 OK

 Grady Co. - Oklahoma Co.

 93 May 3, 1717 Amber, Newcastle, Moore, 36 ~680 37 miles/1320

 1999 Oklahoma City yd

 Pavement Removed from

 Roads

 Estimated 318 mph winds

 NOTES ABOUT TORNADO CLASSIFICATIONS

The Fujita Tornado Scale has been used by meteorologists to classify tornado

intensities since it was formulated by Dr. Theodore Fujita in 1971. Because it

is a subjective damage assessment tool, there are differences in the intensity

classifications for individual tornadoes, depending upon the source used. This

list depends upon three sources:

1. "Storm Data" Publication (used as a source after 1982 for this report) and

the "U.S. Local Storm Reports" Database, by the National Climatic Data Center;

2. National Weather Service’s (NWS) National Severe Storm Forecast Center / 

Storm Prediction Center WWW page covering tornadoes from 1950 to present; 

3. "Violent Tornado Climatography, 1880-1982" by T.P. Grazulis and the U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NUREG).

Rather than try to reconcile such differences, the above list includes all

indicated F5 tornadoes, regardless of the three sources. Differences are noted

below.

1. Tornadoes listed as F5 by the NWS, but not by NUREG:

 Numbers: 38,40,41,43,44,47,50,62,67, and 75

2. Tornadoes listed as F5 by NUREG, but not by NWS:

 Numbers: 52,55,56,57,68

There are at least two other tornado data sources (not necessarily independent

of those listed above) which may exhibit additional differences. These are the

University of Chicago's Damage Area Per Path Length (DAPPL) database and the

Tornado Project.

* Damage estimates are derived from the National Weather Service’s (NWS)

National Severe Storm Forecast Center / Storm Prediction Center web page

entitled "The 10 Costliest U.S. Tornadoes." Property damage has been adjusted

to 1995 dollars. As with all statistics given on this page, the values are for

single tornado events. Only four of the top ten costliest tornadoes were of F5

category; five of the remaining six were F4, and one was F2.

Reference:

1984: Grazulis. T.P., "Violent Tornado Climatography, 1880-1982," NUREG/CR-3670,

PNL-5006 RB, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington D.C., 184 pp.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Much of the statistical information in this report was collected and provided by NOAA’s Storm

Prediction Center in Norman, OK. Also, we obtained information from the National Weather

Service (especially the Norman, OK office) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. We

gratefully acknowledge their contributions. For additional information and data, contact the National

Climatic Data Center -- http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov, info@ncdc.noaa.gov, 828-271-4800.
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Figure 2

Figure 3
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Figure 4

Figure 5
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Figures

 6-8
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Figure 9
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Figure 10