A Firm Foundation: How Insurance Supports the Economy

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm and comes into contact with the ground. In an average year about 1,000 tornadoes are reported nationwide, according to according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

Tornado intensity is measured by the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale. The scale rates tornadoes on a scale of 0 through 5, based on the amount and type of wind damage. It incorporates 28 different “damage indicators,” based on damage to a wide variety of structures ranging from trees to shopping malls.

The Fujita Scale For Tornadoes

    Original F scale (1) Enhanced F scale (2)
Category Damage Wind speed (mph) 3-second gust (mph)
F-0 Light 40-72  65-85
F-1 Moderate 73-112 86-110
F-2 Considerable 113-157 111-135
F-3 Severe 158-207 136-165
F-4 Devastating 208-260 166-200
F-5 Incredible 261-318 Over 200

(1) Original scale: wind speeds represent fastest estimated speeds over one quarter of a mile.
(2) Enhanced scale: wind speeds represent maximum 3-second gusts.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

 

 

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Tornadoes And Related Deaths In The United States, 2004-2023 (1)

 

Year Tornadoes Deaths Year Tornadoes Deaths
2004 1,819 36 2014 886 47
2005 1,264 38 2015 1,177 36
2006 1,103 67 2016 976 18
2007 1,098 81 2017 1,429 35
2008 1,692 126 2018 1,126 10
2009 1,156 21 2019 1,517 42
2010 1,282 45 2020 1,082 76
2011 1,691 553 2021 1,314 103
2012 938 70 2022 1,143 23
2013 906 55 2023 1,294 83

(1) Numbers include actuals through September and preliminary estimates for October through December as of January 2024. Excludes Puerto Rico. Tornadoes that cross state lines are counted as a single event in this chart.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Storm Prediction Center, National Weather Service.

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