- Tornadoes are extremely rare in Utah, but downtown Salt Lake City was struck by this F2 tornado in 1999, which killed one person. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Maybe I should ask, “Do you live in the United States?” because the U.S. has the most tornadoes in the world.
You thought so, didn’t you!
From 1950, when we began to keep official records, here are the 10 states that have the most tornadoes per square mile, in order of greatest to least.
- Florida
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Illinois
- Mississippi
- Iowa
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Alabama
- Louisiana
Surprised? Me too. However the states that have the most notorious tornadoes are not all up there and some of the above states have lots of teensy tornadoes that don’t do much. Your highest chances of experiencing the most damaging tornado are in the following five states:
Alabama, Texas, Iowa, Kansas, or Oklahoma
They’re all tied for first.
Scared yet?
Okay, I publish this annually in one form or another, in hopes of allaying some of your anxiety about this life and death topic. This year, it’s just a list of links, but if you search “tornado” in the search window above (click on the magnifying glass for a nice surprise) you will find a few more curiosities on the subject.
Pay attention and live:
How to Prepare for Tornado Weather
Story of My Tornado Experience
Story of a Stranger Who Borrowed Our House in a Tornado
- A tornado near Seymour, Texas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Home's Cool! 
Apparently we in the UK get more tornadoes per capita or something but the worst that happens is a few tiles fall of a roof.
Oh, and once, a chimney fell down.
There’s something to be said for having a boring climate 🙂
I love rain. I’ve heard you get it a-plenty. I think I’d like it. 🙂
Hey Kathy found something on You-Tube for you. D
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=1957+Tornado+Kansas+City&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=069A0890EBB18AB2B81E069A0890EBB18AB2B81E
Thanks! RL! 😉
How’re things up your way? We had a few straight-line winds and I think one tornado went over our house but did not touch down until farther down the road! Thank the Lord! We only lost about a dozen shingles. Lawn furniture was everywhere, though. Ha.
Yes I’ve had some close calls in both Arkansas and Texas.
Mmm. Texas is a good place for ’em! Ha! So glad you survived! My sister’s house in Missouri has been hit twice and insurance money plus sweat equity has built them a glorious 3-level back deck. Just fine, if you survive!
Great resource! I tweeted and Stumbled. I live in NWA now but grew up a Kansas girl.
Wow! Thanks, Jamie!
I often retweet myself on this one, because I just want folks to know what to do. So few seem to get it. Thanks for your kind regard!
Kansas–scariest place on the whole earth during tornado season! Ha! 🙂
We don’t have tornadoes here in the Philippines but we have typhoons (flood, landslides, storm surges) here almost year round. Probably more than the letters of the alphabet on average.
Hello, Missadventures, and WELCOME to Home’s Cool!
Thanks for your comment!
We read about your disasters in our news, here, from time to time. The weather can be so beautiful and peaceful– sometimes!
Other times, one side of the world is praying for another.
You have a beautiful little daughter!
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you return again, soon! 🙂
We’ve had a few up the top of Australia , but nothing like where you live. 🙂
Hi, Rebecca!
Where I live is quite near the most tornado activity in the whole country and therefore, in the whole world. But since we also are atop a moderate hill, they seem to skip us.
NOT that we don’t take cover, though! 😉
I’m trying to think if I’ve ever heard of any really dangerous weather coming from Australia…drawing a blank!