Perrysburg-Millbury, Ohio EF4 Tornado – June 5, 2010
An EF4 tornado with estimated wind speeds of 170-175 mph traveled close to 9 miles across parts of Wood and Ottawa Counties in Ohio on June 5, 2010.
Tornadoes of St. Louis, Missouri
Over its history, the St. Louis area has been a tornado hotbed, with numerous funnels making their presence known. Dating back as far as the early 1870s to 2025, many proved deadly and catastrophic, while others were only a footnote in history. In this summary, we discuss the sixteen twisters officially documented within St. Louis proper.
Corry, PA F4 Tornado – May 31, 1985
A violent twister, spawned by the same supercell as the Albion F4 tornado, tracked for 28 miles through Erie, Warren, counties in northwestern PA, and Chautauqua County, NY. At its widest point, the funnel reached 2100 yards (1.20 miles), causing injuries to 19 people and inflicting severe damage on multiple farms.
Kane, PA F4 Tornado – May 31, 1985
On May 31, 1985, a violent tornado swept through northwestern Pennsylvania, leaving a trail of devastation across Warren, McKean, and Elk Counties. The storm reached its peak intensity in the Tionesta Scenic Area, where it leveled vast swaths of forest before continuing eastward into the town of Kane, causing widespread destruction to homes, schools, and businesses. With wind speeds reaching high-end F4 levels, the tornado obliterated entire neighborhoods, leaving behind heartbreaking scenes of loss, including the tragic deaths of four people. Over 100 homes were damaged or destroyed, and the storm caused an estimated $15 million in damage, equivalent to $71 million today.
June 23, 1944 Appalachian Outbreak
On June 23, 1944, a historic tornado outbreak occurred across the Appalachians. This outbreak featured the deadliest tornado to ever strike Pennsylvania and the deadliest ever recorded in West Virginia.
May 31, 1985 Great Lakes Tornado Outbreak
Main Writer Nick Wilkes documents the violent tornado outbreak that hit parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario on May 31, 1985.
Parker Dam State Park-Moshannon State Forest, PA F4 Tornado – May 31, 1985
An intense tornado began about 3 miles west of Winterburn in Clearfield County. It tracked mainly east and east-northeast for 73.4 miles before lifting in far western Lycoming County. During its long journey, the twister went through the Moshannon State Forest, felling 35,000 trees per minute as it crossed various mountains and river valleys. The massive funnel’s peak width was 2.57 miles. Despite its incredible violence and large path, it remained over mostly uninhabited areas, resulting in only 13 homes being destroyed and there was one injury.
Franklin-Brentwood, TN F4 Tornado – December 24, 1988
On the morning of Christmas Eve 1988, an isolated severe weather event unfolded in the Nashville suburbs of Franklin and Brentwood, TN. A fatal and violent tornado tore a 6-mile path through populated neighborhoods in the pre-dawn hours, killing one and injuring at least seven people. In less than ten minutes, the F4 caused millions of dollars in damage but left many families grateful for survival during the Christmas holiday. This twister was the only one recorded that day.
The South Frankfort to Stamping Ground, KY F4 Tornado and Downburst Disaster of April 3, 1974
Kentucky was hard hit in the 1974 Super Outbreak, with 11 violent (F4-F5) tornadoes tearing through the Bluegrass state. One of these, as of 2024, remains the most powerful in the Capital City area’s history. Although Frankfort proper was spared, the surrounding communities of Avenstoke, Evergreen, Big Eddy, Inverness Estates, Tierra Linda, Jett, and Woodlake faced the twister’s wrath head-on.
It was originally accepted that the twister continued well into Scott County, through Stamping Ground, and to near Sadieville. Little-known analysis years later by Dr. Fujita himself concluded that a violent downburst, rather than a tornado, was responsible for all of the damage beyond Woodlake.
When the dust settled, four lives were lost. Of the 122 injuries, 85 were caused by the tornado, and 37 were the result of the downburst.
Zook-Great Bend, KS F4 Tornado – May 4, 1950
Per the Storm Prediction Center, 7 tornadoes occurred on May 4, 1950. The strongest was an F4 that tracked over 30 miles through parts of Pawnee and Barton Counties in KS. The max width was 150 yards. There were 30 injuries reported.