Weather Forecast Now logo
40° overcast clouds

Tornadoes

The 7 Worst Tornadoes in U.S. History

Alexis Thornton

Last month
From the 1925 Tri-State Tornado to Joplin in 2011, these storms shaped U.S. disaster history—often striking before modern warnings could save lives. (Adobe Stock)

Key Takeaways

  • The deadliest tornado in US history occurred on March 18, 1925, across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, killing 695 people.

  • Tornadoes were more dangerous in the past due to lack of advanced warning systems.

  • Death tolls from older tornadoes might be underestimated, especially for African American communities.

  • Technological advancements allow for better warnings today.

What Are the Worst Tornadoes in U.S. History?

Marked by their high winds, tornadoes are among the deadliest natural disasters every year in the United States.

Thanks to major advances in technology, it’s much easier to alert people to these deadly storm systems before they strike, allowing people to seek shelter in safe areas.

Tags

tornadoesdeadliest tornado in us historyworst tornadoes in u.sdeath tolls from older tornadoestornado historydeadliest tornadoestri-state tornadojoplin tornadotornado safetytornado warning systemssevere weather historyhistoric stormstornado fatalitiesweather disasters

Share

More Weather News