Tornadoes strike the U.S. every year and have touched down in all 50 states. But weather patterns are shifting. According to the Associated Press, deadly tornadoes are now hitting more frequently in the densely populated, tree-covered mid-South, and moving away from the traditional “Tornado Alley” of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.
The latest outbreak hit on May 16 and 17, when powerful tornadoes tore through Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia, killing more than two dozen people and leaving widespread devastation across the region.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Learn how to protect yourself and your family with essential tornado safety tips—and see how World Vision is responding to help affected communities, and how you can make a difference.
Tornadoes: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
- Fast facts: Tornadoes
- What are the latest tornadoes in the U.S.?
- How can I help people affected by disasters in the U.S.?
- What makes tornadoes so destructive?
- What is the rating scale for tornadoes?
- What is an EF5 tornado?
- What are some recent EF5 tornadoes?
- How does World Vision respond to tornado outbreaks?
- How do I prepare for a tornado?
Fast facts: Tornadoes
- A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that extends from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground.
- Tornadoes form when warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air, creating unstable atmospheric conditions.
- Twisters can have wind speeds up to over 200 mph (violent tornadoes).
- Tornadoes can vary in size from just a few yards across to more than a mile wide. They usually last for a few minutes to nearly an hour, although some may persist longer.
- The central United States, known as Tornado Alley, is prone to frequent tornadoes due to its geography and climate. It spans from northern Texas to South Dakota, where supercell thunderstorms often produce destructive twisters.
- Tornadoes can occur at any time of year, but they’re most common in the spring and early summer, especially in the northern Plains and upper Midwest. Most twisters happen between 4 and 9 p.m.
- Tornado watches vs. warnings: A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes, while a warning indicates a tornado has been detected and immediate action is needed.
What are the latest tornadoes in the U.S.?
The most recent tornadoes to impact the U.S. occurred on May 16–17, 2025, with devastating effects in Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia.
- Kentucky: Kentucky was hit hardest by a deadly tornado that damaged hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles, and left many homeless in southeastern Laurel County.
- Missouri: In St. Louis, Missouri, a tornado with wind speeds exceeding 140 mph resulted in 5 deaths and damaged approximately 5,000 buildings.
- Virginia: Northern Virginia experienced severe storms that toppled trees and power lines, leading to 2 confirmed deaths.
This outbreak is part of a broader trend in 2025, with hundreds of tornadoes reported across the U.S. this year.
For real-time tracking and historical data on tornadoes, visit the University of Michigan’s Tornado Paths website.
How can I help people affected by disasters in the U.S.?
- Pray: Join us in praying for those who have loved ones injured or impacted by tornadoes.
Dear Heavenly Father, we lift up children and families affected, praying for their safety and protection during this challenging time. We also pray for strength and endurance for the emergency responders working tirelessly to provide aid and support.
- Give: Your gift will help provide emergency relief to survivors of disasters in the U.S.
What makes tornadoes so destructive?
Tornadoes, also referred to as twisters, unleash intense high winds that can topple trees, flatten buildings, and destroy roads. A significant contributor to their destructiveness is the debris they transform into projectiles. Traveling through a populated area, the funnel of a tornado picks up and carries millions of small and large items, including trees, rocks, trucks, parts of houses, and broken glass. These projectiles can cause damage proportionate to their size and speed when they collide with buildings or homes or crash to the ground.
What is the rating scale for tornadoes?
Tornadoes are now rated on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, ranging from EF0 (65–85 mph) to EF5 (over 200 mph). It is nearly impossible to accurately measure the speed of a tornado, as any measurement device would be destroyed. The EF scale assesses the intensity based on estimated 3-second wind gusts, calculated using 28 different damage indicators — from softwood trees to schools. For example, if a tornado obliterates a large shopping mall or a large section of one, the wind speed would be estimated at 204 miles per hour, characterizing it as an EF5.
What is an EF5 tornado?
An EF5 is the most powerful tornado, causing incredible damage with winds over 200 mph. Capable of destroying schools and large shopping complexes, and causing permanent structural deformation to even 20-story buildings, EF5 tornadoes are rare. They account for only 1% of all tornadoes but are responsible for 37% of tornado-related fatalities. The National Weather Service maintains a list of all the EF5 tornadoes since 1950.
What are some recent EF5 tornadoes?
A formidable EF5 tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2013, with recorded peak winds of 210 mph. The disaster resulted in the tragic loss of 24 lives, the destruction of over 1,100 homes, and an estimated $2 billion in damages. The disaster stands as one of the costliest tornadoes on record. Just 11 days after that disaster, another EF5 and the largest tornado ever recorded, measuring 2.6 miles across at its peak, hit near El Reno, Oklahoma, on May 31, 2013.
How does World Vision respond to tornado outbreaks?
When tornadoes strike, World Vision responds quickly to support families in crisis with essential emergency relief.
After devastating tornadoes swept through Missouri on May 16, 2025, World Vision acted without delay. Our U.S. Programs team dispatched emergency relief supplies to St. Louis, Missouri, and to London, Kentucky, bringing critical items, like diapers, generators, and cleaning supplies, to families in the hardest-hit communities.
How do I prepare for a tornado?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides guidelines to help you and your family stay safe during and after a tornado. When a tornado warning is issued, taking immediate action is critical. For example:
- Go to a safe room, basement, or storm cellar.
- If no basement exists, reach a small interior space or room on the lowest level.
- Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
- If you can safely get to a sturdy building, do so immediately.
- Do not seek shelter under an overpass or bridge; you’re safer in a low, flat location.
- Be vigilant for flying debris that can cause injury or death.
- Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
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