A Picture of a 2011 Joplin Tornado

EF5 Tornado

An EF5 tornado is the most intense tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. An EF5 will have wind speeds greater than 200 mph. Some of the costliest and deadliest tornadic events in history were caused by EF5 tornadoes. On the now retired Fujita Scale, the tornado damage scale that the Enhanced Fujita Scale replaced, an EF5 tornado use to be an F5 tornado. An F5 tornado had wind speeds exceeding 260+ mph.

EF5 tornadoes are a rare occurrence. Between February 2007 and 2018 there have only been 9 verified EF5 tornadoes. The deadliest tornado in U.S. was an F5 tornado on March 18th, 1925, the Tri-State Tornado. Below you'll find a few facts about EF5 tornadoes, a list of notable EF5s in tornado history, pictures of EF5 tornado funnel clouds and a complete list of EF5 tornadoes between February 2007 and 2018.


EF5 Tornado Facts

  1. An EF5 tornado is the strongest tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
  2. An EF5 tornado has winds speeds equal or greater than 201 mph.
  3. Damage from a EF5 tornado is described as "incredible".
  4. In the United States, between Feb 1st, 2007 and 2017 there was 9 confirmed EF5 tornadoes.
  5. In the United States, between Feb 1st, 2007 and 2017 there was 454 confirmed fatalities from EF5 tornadoes.
  6. In the United States, between Feb 1st, 2007 and 2017 there was 2,246 confirmed injuries from EF5 tornadoes.
  7. In the United States, between Feb 1st, 2007 and 2017 the deadliest EF5 tornado was on 5/22/2011 and killed 158 people in Missouri.
  8. In the United States, between Feb 1st, 2007 and 2017 the EF5 tornado to cause the most injuries was on 5/22/2011 and injured 1,150 people.
  9. In the United States, between Feb 1st, 2007 and 2017 the year with the most EF5 tornadoes was 2011 with 6.
  10. On the retired Fujita Scale, an EF5 tornado was called a F5 tornado.
  11. The earliest tornado in history that was rated an EF5 was on May 4th, 2007 in Greensburg, KS in the United States.
  12. On the retired Fujita Scale, an EF5 tornado was an F5 tornado.

Notable EF5 Tornadoes


List of all EF5 Tornadoes (Feb 1st, 2007 to 2017)

Below is a list of all verified EF5 tornadoes that occurred between Feb 1st 2007 and 2017. Tornadoes prior to February 2007 are rated using the retired Fujita Scale, an equivalent strength tornado would be an F5 tornado.

Occurance Number Date Occured Location
905-20-2013Moore, OK
805-24-2011El Reno/Piedmont, OK
705-22-2011Joplin, MO
604-27-2011Rainsville/Sylvania, AL
504-27-2011Preston, MS
404-27-2011Hackleburg/Phil Campbell, AL
304-27-2011Smithville, MS
205-25-2008Parkersburg,IA
105-04-2007Greensburg, KS

Enhanced Fujita Scale