What State Has the Most Tornadoes? What You Need To Know!
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Maybe you’re just curious about states that experience the most tornadoes, or perhaps you’re looking to avoid any state that gets too many. Either way, with this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about tornadoes in various states throughout the country.
Not only did we highlight the 10 states that experience the most tornadoes, but we also highlighted the eight that experience the fewest!
What States Are in Tornado Alley?
“Tornado alley” is infamous for having the most tornadoes in the United States, but there’s quite a bit of debate on which states actually make up that area.
Tornado alley is throughout the central portion of the United States, and while it’s primarily Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, parts of tornado alley also include South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio.
Top 10 States With the Highest Number of Tornadoes
The United States is one of the countries with the most tornadoes in the world, and some of the states are far more prone to tornadoes than others. Here, we highlighted the 10 most tornado-prone states in the country.
1. Texas (155)
It’s called tornado alley for a reason, and when you put most of that alley in one of the largest states in the country, it’s no surprise that it easily tops the list of the most tornado-stricken states. During tornado season, you can expect that Texas will have at least one tornado per day.
Luckily for everyone, much of the state is wide-open spaces, so most tornadoes that touch down in Texas do little to no damage.
2. Kansas (96)
Dorothy gets carried away by a tornado in “The Wizard of Oz,” and considering she’s from Kansas, it’s no surprise that a tornado found her. The state experiences close to 100 tornadoes a year on average, and considering how much smaller the state is than Texas, this makes it the hardest-hit state per mile.
3. Florida (66)
When you think of tornadoes, you probably think of tornado alley, but one state that might surprise you on this list is Florida. They get slammed with tornadoes even though they’re in a completely different part of the country.
4. Oklahoma (62)
This state sits right between Texas and Kansas, which are the top two entries on this list. So, it’s no surprise that if you live in Oklahoma, you’re used to high winds and tornadoes in your area. The only reason that Oklahoma isn’t any higher is that the worst-hit parts of the state are near the panhandle, which also happens to be the smallest part of the state.
5. Nebraska (57)
Nebraska sits at the very top of Tornado Alley, and that’s why it rounds out the top five of the most tornado-stricken states. While Nebraska doesn’t get as many tornadoes as Kansas or Texas, there are definitely portions of the state that get hit just as hard.
6. Illinois (54)
Illinois might not be a state that you think of when you think of tornadoes, but there’s more than enough wind to go around in the state. The average number of tornadoes is just under what you see in the more classic tornado state of Nebraska, and that’s despite no portion of Illinois being in tornado valley.
7. Colorado (53)
Colorado is all about the mountains and wildlife, but the statistics show that tornados should probably be on that list too. They average over 50 tornadoes each year, which is far more than most states!
8. Iowa (51)
Iowa borders both Nebraska and Illinois, so it’s no surprise that it finds its way onto our list too. It’s the last state on our list to average more than 50 tornadoes each year. Still, at 50 tornadoes a year, you’re bound to experience a tornado warning or two if you live in the state.
9. Minnesota (45)
There’s a tie for the last spot on our list, but both Minnesota and Missouri experience more than their fair share of tornadoes. The climates in both locations are extremely similar, and that’s why they experience the same number of tornadoes each year on average.
10. Missouri (45)
Rounding out our list of the top 10 most tornado-stricken states in the country is Missouri. Once again, it’s not a state that you might think of when you think of tornadoes, but there are plenty to go around at 45 per year on average.
Top 8 States with the Fewest Tornadoes
If you’re looking to avoid tornadoes, any of these eight states are where you want to go. While they all experience the occasional tornado, it’s far less likely in these states than anywhere else.
1. Alaska (0)
If you’re looking to move to a tornado-free state, the top choice is clear: Alaska. It is a massive state, but for various reasons, you don’t have to worry about tornadoes in this state. In fact, the last tornado that touched down in Alaska was in 2005!
On average, the entire state of Alaska experiences one tornado every 20 years, making it one of the least tornado-stricken regions in the country.
2. Rhode Island (0)
Rhode Island might not average any tornadoes a year, but we think that a large portion of that has to do with its small size. It’s not that a tornado can’t happen here; it’s that it’s not in a tornado-prone region, and its size makes it even less likely that a tornado will touch down there.
3. Hawaii (1)
Not only is Hawaii an extremely small state, but it doesn’t experience the same strong winds that many other states get on a more consistent basis. However, even though Hawaii is so small, the chances of seeing a tornado each year are a bit higher than many other states, even if it only averages one a year.
4. Vermont (1)
Vermont is another small state in an area that isn’t prone to tornadoes. The result is only one tornado per year on average and a spot on this list as one of the states with the fewest tornadoes in the country. If you’re looking to avoid tornadoes, anywhere in the Northeast is a pretty safe bet.
5. New Hampshire (1)
New Hampshire is next door to Vermont, and it’s another small state. So, it’s no surprise that the statistics are almost identical. It averages just one tornado per year, but despite the smaller size of the state, it’s not inconceivable that you might experience a tornado warning if you live there.
6. Delaware (1)
The Northeast doesn’t get many tornadoes, so it’s no surprise to find another small northeastern state on this list. Not only are tornadoes rare, but the super small size of the state ensures that it only averages about one tornado per year.
7. Connecticut (2)
Connecticut is yet another northeastern state that doesn’t experience many tornadoes. At only two tornadoes per year on average, the chances of encountering a tornado in this state are slim to none unless you go looking for one.
8. Massachusetts (2)
Rounding out our list of the states with the fewest tornadoes is Massachusetts. It’s another northeastern state that doesn’t experience many tornadoes, and if you’re noticing a trend, it’s not a coincidence. It’s not a tornado-prone region, so if you’re looking to avoid them no matter what, then it’s a good place to go!
Final Thoughts: What State Has the Most Tornadoes
It’s important to remember that even if you live in a state that experiences more tornadoes than most, it’s all about the specific areas of the state, and there are set times of the year when tornadoes are more prevalent.
If you’re worried about tornadoes in your area, there are always things that you can do to reduce the likelihood that a tornado will injure or kill you or anyone in your family!
See Also:
- How to Prepare Your Pool for a Hurricane (Tips & Tricks)
- How Loud Is a Tornado In Decibels (dB)?
Featured Image Credit: pixel1, Pixabay
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