While the F- (and EF-) scale used for tornadoes top out at F5, the scale technically went all the way up to F12. That’s Mach 1 speed (738 miles per hour).

The worst tornadoes are the rare and dreaded F5 and EF5. These tornadoes go down in history and the most deadly and damaging. These violent tornadoes are exceeding rare but important to document ...

On June 17, 1882, 143 years ago today, an F5 tornado tore an estimated 105-mile long path through parts of six central Iowa counties, claiming 68 lives and injuring another 300.

On March 3, 1966, 59 years ago today, an F5 tornado tore a 202-mile long path across central and eastern Mississippi into western Alabama. Of the 58 people killed by the twister, 57 were in ...

On May 8, 1965, 60 years ago today, an F5 tornado tore through parts of southern South Dakota. Seven farm homes were demolished in eastern Tripp County. Miraculously, ...

An F5 tornado barreled through Rocksprings in Edwards County, killing 74 and injuring over 200 — nearly a third of the town’s population at the time. It was nearly a mile wide and wiped out ...

The most EF5/F5 tornadoes in a single year were in 1974 when the April 3 super outbreak spawned seven in a 24-hour period. 2011 had the second-most EF5/F5 tornadoes of any year with six.

On June 17, 1882, 143 years ago today, an F5 tornado tore an estimated 105-mile long path through parts of six central Iowa counties, claiming 68 lives and injuring another 300.