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.
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
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
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Source: buzzfarmers / Flickr
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
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Source: Courtesy of Commander Grady Tuell, NOAA Corps
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
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Source: pictus photography / Getty Images
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
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Source: Photo by Master Sgt. Keith Strouss, Delaware Air National Guard
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
Source: kenlund / Flickr
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
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Source: Maudib / Getty Images
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
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Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr
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
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Source: rhyman007 / Getty Images
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
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Source: Incomel / Getty Images
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
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Source: Courtesy of KTVX News 4 Utah / NOAA / Wikimedia Commons
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
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Source: National Weather Service, Caribou, Maine / Wikimedia Commons
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
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Source: BackyardProduction / Getty Images
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
Source: Damiano LoBasso / Getty Images
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
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Source: Matthew Cavanaugh / Getty Images
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
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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
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Source: EuToch / Getty Images
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
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Source: imatty35 / Flickr
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
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Source: warrenlong / Flickr
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
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Source: David McNew / Getty Images
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
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images
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
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Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
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
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Source: noaaphotolib / Flickr
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
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Source: Jay Paul / Getty Images
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
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Source: Josh Gardner / Flickr
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
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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
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Source: andyfowler / Flickr
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
Source: J.D. Pooley / Getty Images
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
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Source: Scott Burton / Getty Images
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
Source: Sara D. Davis / Getty Images
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
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Source: Storm talk / Wikimedia Commons
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
Source: dvids / Flickr
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
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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
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Source: Gavin Averill / Getty Images
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
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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
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Source: Steve Pope / Getty Images
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
Source: Mark Wilson / Getty Images
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
Source: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
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
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Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
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
Source: Stefan Klein / Wikimedia Commons
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
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Source: Courtesy of NOAA Photo Library, NOAA Central Library; OAR/ERL/National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL)
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
Source: dvids / Flickr
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
Source: Jon Durr / Getty Images
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
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Source: NOAA Photo Library / Flickr
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
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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
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Source: Timmy27 / Wikimedia Commons
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
Source: Daphne Zaras / Wikimedia Commons
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
Source: Brian Davidson / Getty Images
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
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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
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