Some people know of tornadoes only through movies and news reports. But for people in Tornado Alley and Dixie Alley, tornadoes are a common occurrence during certain parts of the year. In states like Texas and Alabama, residents are all too familiar with the need to rush for the shelter of the bathtub in response to a tornado warning.
Those living in areas prone to tornadoes are often willing to accept the occasional danger to live in nicer-weather regions. In fact, many of the states with the most tornadoes are also home to some of the cities with the best weather.
Tornadoes do not typically result in damage, injury, or loss of life. Approximately 1,200 tornadoes form in the United States each year. More than 75% are considered weak, classified as EF-0 to EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Tornado Damage Intensity Scale. Only about 5% are on the upper end of the intensity scale, EF-3 to EF-5, and are considered violent. An even smaller percentage reach the maximum level on the scale, EF-5, characterized by wind speed of 200 mph or higher and severe destruction.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed for every state the total number of unique tornadoes recorded between 1950 and the middle of 2018 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center. Total crop and property damage, as well as the total injuries and fatalities incurred for every year since 1950 also came from NOAA. Property damage figures are not available for years prior to 1996, and crop damage figures are not available until 2006.
Click here to see the states with the most tornadoes.
50. Alaska
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 4
> Total damage since 1996: Not available
> Total fatalities since 1950: Not available
> Most destructive tornado on record: Not available
See all stories featuring: Alaska
[in-text-ad]
49. Rhode Island
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 11
> Total damage since 1996: $155,000
> Total fatalities since 1950: Not available
> Most destructive tornado on record: $60,000, on Wednesday, July 23, 2008
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
48. Hawaii
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 41
> Total damage since 1996: $60,000
> Total fatalities since 1950: Not available
> Most destructive tornado on record: $60,000, on Sunday, March 24, 2002
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
47. Vermont
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 45
> Total damage since 1996: $1.3 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: Not available
> Most destructive tornado on record: $630,000, on Sunday, May 31, 1998
See all stories featuring: Vermont
[in-text-ad-2]
46. Delaware
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 63
> Total damage since 1996: $1.5 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 2
> Most destructive tornado on record: $1 million, on Tuesday, September 28, 2004
See all stories featuring: Delaware
45. Nevada
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 92
> Total damage since 1996: $32,000
> Total fatalities since 1950: Not available
> Most destructive tornado on record: $30,000, on Friday, September 11, 1998
See all stories featuring: Nevada
[in-text-ad]
44. New Hampshire
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 94
> Total damage since 1996: $2.9 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 1
> Most destructive tornado on record: $2.0 million, on Thursday, July 24, 2008
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
43. Connecticut
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 102
> Total damage since 1996: $11.6 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 4
> Most destructive tornado on record: $5 million, on Monday, July 1, 2013
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
42. Oregon
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 113
> Total damage since 1996: $3.5 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 6
> Most destructive tornado on record: $1.2 million, on Tuesday, December 14, 2010
See all stories featuring: Oregon
[in-text-ad-2]
41. Washington
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 120
> Total damage since 1996: $2.5 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 6
> Most destructive tornado on record: $525,000, on Thursday, January 10, 2008
See all stories featuring: Washington
40. Utah
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 130
> Total damage since 1996: $175.9 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 1
> Most destructive tornado on record: $170 million, on Wednesday, August 11, 1999
See all stories featuring: Utah
[in-text-ad]
39. Maine
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 134
> Total damage since 1996: $394,000
> Total fatalities since 1950: 1
> Most destructive tornado on record: $250,000, on Thursday, November 24, 2005
See all stories featuring: Maine
24/7 Wall St.
38. West Virginia
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 149
> Total damage since 1996: $14.6 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 3
> Most destructive tornado on record: $5 million, on Tuesday, June 2, 1998
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
37. New Jersey
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 150
> Total damage since 1996: $12.9 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 1
> Most destructive tornado on record: $4.2 million, on Friday, August 20, 1999
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
[in-text-ad-2]
36. Massachusetts
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 167
> Total damage since 1996: $238.4 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 109
> Most destructive tornado on record: $227.6 million, on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
35. Idaho
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 213
> Total damage since 1996: $4.4 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 0
> Most destructive tornado on record: $2.2 million, on Monday, February 14, 2000
See all stories featuring: Idaho
[in-text-ad]
34. Arizona
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 246
> Total damage since 1996: $2.5 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 3
> Most destructive tornado on record: $1 million, on Wednesday, October 6, 2010
See all stories featuring: Arizona
24/7 Wall St.
33. Maryland
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 363
> Total damage since 1996: $260 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 8
> Most destructive tornado on record: $124 million, on Sunday, April 28, 2002
See all stories featuring: Maryland
32. Montana
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 423
> Total damage since 1996: $40.8 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 5
> Most destructive tornado on record: $32.5 million, on Friday, July 2, 2010
See all stories featuring: Montana
[in-text-ad-2]
31. California
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 435
> Total damage since 1996: $35.3 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: Not available
> Most destructive tornado on record: $18 million, on Thursday, August 6, 2015
See all stories featuring: California
30. New York
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 444
> Total damage since 1996: $214.5 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 30
> Most destructive tornado on record: $70.6 million, on Sunday, May 31, 1998
See all stories featuring: New York
[in-text-ad]
29. New Mexico
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 592
> Total damage since 1996: $26 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 4
> Most destructive tornado on record: $19 million, on Friday, March 23, 2007
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
28. Wyoming
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 674
> Total damage since 1996: $7.4 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 4
> Most destructive tornado on record: $5 million, on Friday, August 12, 2005
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
27. Virginia
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 724
> Total damage since 1996: $253.3 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 37
> Most destructive tornado on record: $53.8 million, on Friday, September 17, 2004
See all stories featuring: Virginia
[in-text-ad-2]
26. Pennsylvania
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 809
> Total damage since 1996: $174.7 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 83
> Most destructive tornado on record: $45.7 million, on Monday, July 21, 2003
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
25. South Carolina
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,001
> Total damage since 1996: $78.9 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 78
> Most destructive tornado on record: $8 million, on Friday, July 6, 2001
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
[in-text-ad]
24. Kentucky
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,002
> Total damage since 1996: $926 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 228
> Most destructive tornado on record: $101 million, on Tuesday, May 28, 1996
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
23. Michigan
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,038
> Total damage since 1996: $367 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 241
> Most destructive tornado on record: $90 million, on Wednesday, July 2, 1997
See all stories featuring: Michigan
22. Ohio
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,106
> Total damage since 1996: $566.1 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 260
> Most destructive tornado on record: $102.4 million, on Saturday, June 5, 2010
See all stories featuring: Ohio
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Tennessee
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,225
> Total damage since 1996: $1.24 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 374
> Most destructive tornado on record: $101 million, on Thursday, April 16, 1998
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
20. North Carolina
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,306
> Total damage since 1996: $758.3 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 128
> Most destructive tornado on record: $172.1 million, on Saturday, April 16, 2011
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
[in-text-ad]
19. Wisconsin
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,372
> Total damage since 1996: $387.9 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 102
> Most destructive tornado on record: $39.5 million, on Thursday, July 18, 1996
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
18. Indiana
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,495
> Total damage since 1996: $578.1 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 310
> Most destructive tornado on record: $103 million, on Friday, September 20, 2002
See all stories featuring: Indiana
17. North Dakota
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,565
> Total damage since 1996: $112.6 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 38
> Most destructive tornado on record: $50 million, on Sunday, August 26, 2007
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Georgia
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,668
> Total damage since 1996: $1.47 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 236
> Most destructive tornado on record: $310.3 million, on Sunday, January 22, 2017
See all stories featuring: Georgia
15. South Dakota
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,798
> Total damage since 1996: $69.7 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 18
> Most destructive tornado on record: $18 million, on Saturday, May 30, 1998
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
[in-text-ad]
14. Minnesota
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,837
> Total damage since 1996: $688.5 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 99
> Most destructive tornado on record: $166.6 million, on Sunday, May 22, 2011
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
13. Arkansas
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 1,841
> Total damage since 1996: $1.52 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 411
> Most destructive tornado on record: $223.5 million, on Sunday, April 27, 2014
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
12. Louisiana
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 2,031
> Total damage since 1996: $704.7 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 227
> Most destructive tornado on record: $386 million, on Saturday, April 24, 2010
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Alabama
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 2,161
> Total damage since 1996: $7.1 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 793
> Most destructive tornado on record: $2.45 billion, on Wednesday, April 27, 2011
See all stories featuring: Alabama
10. Colorado
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 2,176
> Total damage since 1996: $178.7 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 5
> Most destructive tornado on record: $147 million, on Thursday, May 22, 2008
See all stories featuring: Colorado
[in-text-ad]
9. Mississippi
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 2,198
> Total damage since 1996: $2.49 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 672
> Most destructive tornado on record: $501 million, on Monday, April 4, 2011
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
24/7 Wall St.
8. Missouri
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 2,319
> Total damage since 1996: $3.81 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 428
> Most destructive tornado on record: $2.8 billion, on Sunday, May 22, 2011
See all stories featuring: Missouri
7. Illinois
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 2,495
> Total damage since 1996: $1.56 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 232
> Most destructive tornado on record: $935.23 million, on Sunday, November 17, 2013
See all stories featuring: Illinois
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Iowa
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 2,558
> Total damage since 1996: $1.39 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 89
> Most destructive tornado on record: $750 million, on Friday, July 23, 2010
See all stories featuring: Iowa
5. Nebraska
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 2,882
> Total damage since 1996: $369.8 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 60
> Most destructive tornado on record: $160.2 million, on Saturday, May 22, 2004
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
[in-text-ad]
4. Florida
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 3,359
> Total damage since 1996: $977.6 million
> Total fatalities since 1950: 165
> Most destructive tornado on record: $205 million, on Monday, February 2, 1998
See all stories featuring: Florida
24/7 Wall St.
3. Oklahoma
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 3,848
> Total damage since 1996: $4.15 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 474
> Most destructive tornado on record: $2 billion, on Monday, May 20, 2013
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
2. Kansas
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 4,254
> Total damage since 1996: $1.43 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 297
> Most destructive tornado on record: $500 million, on Saturday, April 14, 2012
See all stories featuring: Kansas
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Texas
> Total unique tornadoes (1950 – August 2018): 8,782
> Total damage since 1996: $2.38 billion
> Total fatalities since 1950: 639
> Most destructive tornado on record: $400 million, on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
See all stories featuring: Texas
Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)
Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Get started right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
