Significant Tornado Events

[CheeselandSkies]

Two very similar tornado events that I find fascinating (and no one ever seems to make this comparison) are the March 13, 1990 Hesston-Goessel tornadoes and the May 10, 2008 Picher-Neosho tornadoes. As the Hesston tornado weakened, the parent supercell spawned another tornado. The original tornado became a satellite tornado of and was ultimately absorbed into the new tornado which also intensifed to F5 before striking Goessel. Virtually the same scenario happened in 2008. As the Picher, OK tornado weakened, the parent supercell spawned another tornado which the original tornado was absorbed into - the new tornado also intensifed to EF4 before striking Neosho, Missouri.

In cases like these, I have to wonder if had it not been for modern radar and the vast amount of videographers, if these events would have been counted as one tornado rather than two separate ones. In the case of the Tri-State Tornado we'll never know for sure.

A similar thing happened on May 28, 2019 with the EF2 that hit the Silver Lining Tours van and the Lawrence-Linwood EF4 that followed. This merger was completely hidden by rain-wrapping except from extremely close range and thus would have been even more difficult to detect in the past.

 

[Juliett Bravo Kilo]

Two very similar tornado events that I find fascinating (and no one ever seems to make this comparison) are the March 13, 1990 Hesston-Goessel tornadoes and the May 10, 2008 Picher-Neosho tornadoes. As the Hesston tornado weakened, the parent supercell spawned another tornado. The original tornado became a satellite tornado of and was ultimately absorbed into the new tornado which also intensifed to F5 before striking Goessel. Virtually the same scenario happened in 2008. As the Picher, OK tornado weakened, the parent supercell spawned another tornado which the original tornado was absorbed into - the new tornado also intensifed to EF4 before striking Neosho, Missouri.

In cases like these, I have to wonder if had it not been for modern radar and the vast amount of videographers, if these events would have been counted as one tornado rather than two separate ones. In the case of the Tri-State Tornado we'll never know for sure.

I believe that the majority of the Tri-State's path was a single F5 tornado, I highly doubt it was a family of mergers, the damage is too consistent and the gaps too few for the majority of its path. No, I don't think all 200+ miles were done by a single tornado but it seems reasonable to believe that there was a single tornado on the ground for ~170 miles. I do think the very beginning and end of the path may have been separate tornadoes but that's it.

 

[Juliett Bravo Kilo]

I've seen that video, definitely one of the more important tornado videos ever filmed if you ask me.

You are right in that nobody really seems to talk about Lawrence or any of the other tornadoes that touched down during that outbreak. For example an F4 also touched down in Iowa on March 13. Here's some great footage of the Lawrence tornado as it was in the Guide Rock area:

The multivortex structure on this thing is incredible; I saw several stills of this in books and documentaries during the 90s and early 2000s growing up.

 

[TH2002]

I believe that the majority of the Tri-State's path was a single F5 tornado, I highly doubt it was a family of mergers, the damage is too consistent and the gaps too few for the majority of its path. No, I don't think all 200+ miles were done by a single tornado but it seems reasonable to believe that there was a single tornado on the ground for ~170 miles. I do think the very beginning and end of the path may have been separate tornadoes but that's it.

Most likely, all of the damage in Illinois as well as damage in Missouri and Indiana closer to the Illinois border was probably from a single tornado. I don't buy the theory that the tornado merged with another at some point in Illinois. It's possible that separate tornadoes were responsible for the destruction in Annapolis, MO and Princeton, IN although (at least most of) the rest of the path is probably continuous. Some have argued that the Yazoo City, MS tornado of 2010 and the Hackleburg-Phil Campbell tornado of 2011 were essentially carbon-copies of Tri-State.

 

[Juliett Bravo Kilo]

Most likely, all of the damage in Illinois as well as damage in Missouri and Indiana closer to the Illinois border was probably from a single tornado. I don't buy the theory that the tornado merged with another at some point in Illinois. It's possible that separate tornadoes were responsible for the destruction in Annapolis, MO and Princeton, IN although (at least most of) the rest of the path is probably continuous. Some have argued that the Yazoo City, MS tornado of 2010 and the Hackleburg-Phil Campbell tornado of 2011 were essentially carbon-copies of Tri-State.

Several of the long-tracked, rain-wrapped, fast-moving wedges with low hanging cloud cover that are so common to Dixie Alley could more or less be considered clones of the Tri-State Tornado. In fact, if you read this post there's an eyewitness account that confirms Hackleburg was a carbon copy of Tri-State: https://talkweather.com/threads/significant-tornado-events.1276/page-60#post-49290

 

[Juliett Bravo Kilo]

Most likely, all of the damage in Illinois as well as damage in Missouri and Indiana closer to the Illinois border was probably from a single tornado. I don't buy the theory that the tornado merged with another at some point in Illinois. It's possible that separate tornadoes were responsible for the destruction in Annapolis, MO and Princeton, IN although (at least most of) the rest of the path is probably continuous. Some have argued that the Yazoo City, MS tornado of 2010 and the Hackleburg-Phil Campbell tornado of 2011 were essentially carbon-copies of Tri-State.

I think the first 50-60 miles in Missouri were from 1 or 2 separate tornadoes, and that the 174-mile long path from central Madison County, MO to Pike County, IN was a single tornado. I think Princeton was impacted by the Tri-State Tornado, but perhaps there was a separate tornado when the tornado exited Princeton and quickly weakened in an open field southwest of Petersburg, IN. I do know that there was a separate tornado that formed from the Tri-State supercell after the main tornado lifted and was at least of F3 intensity and damaged some farms in Indiana but most details of the storm have been lost to time.
Either way, absolutely unreal that a tornado was able to persist for that long and maintain F5 intensity for 150+ miles. Unreal.

 

[Casuarina Head]

If I were to restrict my “top-tier” selection to well-documented* events, I would probably include the following:

• Camanche, IA (3 June 1860)
• Rochester, MN (21 August 1883)
• Pomeroy, IA (6 July 1893)
• Sherman, TX (15 May 1896)
• Ortonville, MI (25 May 1896)
• New Richmond, WI (12 June 1899)
• Andale, KS (25 May 1917)
• Fergus Falls, MN (22 June 1919)
• Aberdeen, MS/Waco, AL (20 April 1920)
• Tri-State: MO–IL–IN (18 March 1925)
• Rocksprings, TX (12 April 1927)
• Aetna, KS (7 May 1927)
• Tupelo, MS (5 April 1936)
• Glazier–Higgins, TX/Woodward, OK (9 April 1947)
• Beecher, MI (8 June 1953)
• Udall, KS (25 May 1955)
• Hudsonville, MI (3 April 1956)
• Colfax, WI (4 June 1958)
• Jackson–Forkville, MS (3 March 1966)
• Charles City, IA (15 May 1968)
• Tracy, MN (13 June 1968)
• Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China (29 August 1969)
• Lubbock, TX (11 May 1970)
• San Justo, Santa Fe, Argentina (10 January 1973)
• Brandenburg, KY (3 April 1974)
• Guin, AL (3 April 1974)
• Niles, OH/Wheatland, PA (31 May 1985)
• Hesston, KS (13 March 1990)
• Goessel, KS (13 March 1990)
• Bakersfield Valley, TX (1 June 1990)
• Stratton, NE (15 June 1990)
• Plainfield, IL (28 August 1990)
• Andover, KS (26 April 1991)
• Jarrell, TX (27 May 1997)
• Bridge Creek–Moore, OK (3 May 1999)
• Loyal Valley, TX (11 May 1999)
• Harper, KS (12 May 2004)
• Parkersburg–New Hartford, IA (25 May 2008)
• Philadelphia, MS (27 April 2011)
• Hackleburg–Phil Campbell–Tanner, AL (27 April 2011)
• Smithville, MS (27 April 2011)
• Joplin, MO (22 May 2011)
• Calumet–El Reno–Piedmont, OK (24 May 2011)
• Chickasha, OK (24 May 2011)
• Goldsby, OK (24 May 2011)
• Moore, OK (20 May 2013)
• Vilonia, AR (27 April 2014)
• Bassfield, MS (12 April 2020)

*Reliably documented by multiple, credible sources such as are reiterated throughout this thread

As for the bolded events, I have chosen them for a selection of the top ten “most violent” events listed so far.

If I were to classify those remaining “top tens,” my list would probably proceed as follows, with several “ties”:

1. Tri-State: MO–IL–IN (18 March 1925)
   • Ortonville, MI (25 May 1896) tied with #1
   • New Richmond, WI (12 June 1899) tied with #1
   • Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China (29 August 1969) tied with #1
   • Hackleburg–Phil Campbell–Tanner, AL (27 April 2011) tied with #1
2. Sherman, TX (15 May 1896)
   • Pomeroy, IA (6 June 1893) tied with #2
   • Bakersfield Valley, TX (1 June 1990) tied with #2
   • Jarrell, TX (27 May 1997) tied with #2
   • Harper, KS (12 May 2004) tied with #2
3. Smithville, MS (27 April 2011)
   • Camanche, IA (3 June 1860) tied with #3
   • Plainfield, IL (28 August 1990) tied with #3
   • Loyal Valley, TX (11 May 1999) tied with #3
   • Calumet–El Reno–Piedmont, OK (24 May 2011) tied with #3
4. Moore, OK (20 May 2013)
   • Guin, AL (3 April 1974) tied with #4
   • Niles, OH/Wheatland, PA (31 May 1985) tied with #4
   • Stratton, NE (15 June 1990) tied with #4
   • Vilonia, AR (27 April 2014) tied with #4
5. Parkersburg–New Hartford, IA (25 May 2008)
   • Colfax, WI (4 June 1958) tied with #5
   • Brandenburg, KY (3 April 1974) tied with #5
   • Bridge Creek–Moore, OK (3 May 1999) tied with #5
   • Joplin, MO (22 May 2011) tied with #5

Some caveats:

• If I were to be more generous with the list, I could add a number of additional “ties,” i.e., Bakersfield Valley, but we need more documentation for this and a number of other top-tier candidates.
• “Honorable mentions”:
  • Frost, TX (6 May 1930)
  • Oberlin, KS (29 April 1942)
  • Antlers, OK (12 April 1945)
  • Leedey, OK (31 May 1947)
  • Prague–Iron Post–Sapulpa, OK (5 May 1960)
  • Lake Pleasant, IN/Coldwater Lake #1, MI (11 April 1965)
  • Lebanon–Sheridan, IN (11 April 1965)
  • Primrose, NE (8 May 1965)
  • Mount Moriah–Tanner #1, AL (3 April 1974)
  • Oak Grove, AL (8 April 1998)
  • Lawrence County, TN (16 April 1998)

 

[TH2002]

If I were to restrict my “top-tier” selection to well-documented* events, I would probably include the following:

• Pomeroy, IA (6 July 1893)
• Sherman, TX (15 May 1896)
• Ortonville, MI (25 May 1896)
• New Richmond, WI (12 June 1899)
• Andale, KS (25 May 1917)
• Fergus Falls, MN (22 June 1919)
• Tri-State: MO–IL–IN (18 March 1925)
• Tupelo, MS (5 April 1936)
• Glazier–Higgins, TX/Woodward, OK (9 April 1947)
• Beecher, MI (8 June 1953)
• Udall, KS (25 May 1955)
• Hudsonville, MI (3 April 1956)
• Jackson–Forkville, MS (3 March 1966)
• Tracy, MN (13 June 1968)
• Lubbock, TX (11 May 1970)
• San Justo, Santa Fe, Argentina (10 January 1973)
• Brandenburg, KY (3 April 1974)
• Niles, OH/Wheatland, PA (31 May 1985)
• Bakersfield Valley, TX (1 June 1990)
• Stratton, NE (15 June 1990)
• Plainfield, IL (28 August 1990)
• Andover, KS (26 April 1991)
• Jarrell, TX (27 May 1997)
• Bridge Creek–Moore, OK (3 May 1999)
• Loyal Valley, TX (11 May 1999)
• Harper, KS (12 May 2004)
• Parkersburg–New Hartford, IA (25 May 2008)
• Philadelphia, MS (27 April 2011)
• Hackleburg–Phil Campbell–Tanner, AL (27 April 2011)
• Smithville, MS (27 April 2011)
• Joplin, MO (22 May 2011)
• Calumet–El Reno–Piedmont, OK (24 May 2011)
• Chickasha, OK (24 May 2011)
• Goldsby, OK (24 May 2011)
• Moore, OK (20 May 2013)
• Vilonia, AR (27 April 2014)
• Bassfield, MS (12 April 2020)

*Reliably documented by multiple, credible sources such as are reiterated throughout this thread

As for the bolded events, I have chosen them for a selection of the top ten “most violent” events listed so far.

If I were to classify those remaining “top tens,” my list would probably proceed as follows, with several “ties”:

1. Tri-State: MO–IL–IN (18 March 1925)
   • Hackleburg–Phil Campbell–Tanner, AL (27 April 2011) tied with #1
2. Sherman, TX (15 May 1896)
   • Jarrell, TX (27 May 1997) tied with #2
3. Smithville, MS (27 April 2011)
   • Calumet–El Reno–Piedmont, OK (24 May 2011) tied with #3
4. Moore, OK (20 May 2013)
   • Vilonia, AR (27 April 2014) tied with #4
5. Parkersburg–New Hartford, IA (25 May 2008)
   • Joplin, MO (22 May 2011) tied with #5

Some caveats:

• If I were to be more generous with the list, I could add a number of additional “ties,” i.e., Bakersfield Valley, but we need more documentation for this and a number of other top-tier candidates.

In no particular order, my list of the most violent tornadoes ever documented is:

May 27, 1997 - Jarrell, Texas
March 18, 1925 - Tri-State Tornado
April 27, 2011 - Smithville, Mississippi
April 27, 2011 - Hackleburg-Phil Campbell, Alabama
May 24, 2011 - Piedmont, Oklahoma
May 15, 1896 - Sherman, Texas
May 3, 1999 - Bridge Creek-Moore, Oklahoma
June 1, 1990 - Bakersfield Valley, Texas
June 12, 1899 - New Richmond, Wisconsin
April 27, 2011 - Philadelphia, Mississippi
April 5, 1936 - Tupelo, Mississippi
April 27, 2011 - Rainsville, Alabama
May 12, 2004 - Harper, Kansas
April 26 1991 - Andover, Kansas
June 8, 1953 - Flint-Beecher, Michigan
April 4, 1977 - Smithfield-Birmingham, Alabama
May 22, 2011 - Joplin, Missouri
March 13, 1990 - Hesston, Kansas
June 9, 1984 - Ivanovo, Soviet Union
April 9, 1947 - Woodward, Oklahoma
January 10, 1973 - San Justo, Argentina
May 1, 1895 - Halstead, Kansas
May 31, 1985 - Niles, Ohio-Wheatland, Pennsylvania
July 6, 1893 - Pomeroy, Iowa
April 3, 1956 - Hudsonville-Standale, Michigan
June 13, 1976 - Jordan, Iowa
May 25, 2008 - Parkersburg, Iowa
May 25, 1955 - Udall, Kansas
April 3, 1974 - Brandenburg, Kentucky
May 3, 1999 - Mulhall, Oklahoma
May 31, 2013 - Moore, Oklahoma
June 16, 1992 - Chandler, Minnesota
April 3, 1974 - Guin, Alabama
April 16, 1998 - Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
July 18, 1996 - Oakfield, Wisconsin
June 8, 1984 - Barneveld, Wisconsin
May 4, 2007 - Greensburg, Kansas
August 28, 1990 - Plainfield, Illinois
April 3, 1974 - Xenia, Ohio
June 20, 1957 - Fargo, North Dakota
April 10, 1929 - Sneed-Pleasant valley, Arkansas
June 10, 1938 - Clyde, Texas
March 13, 1990 - Goessel, Kansas
June 8, 1995 - Kellerville, Texas
June 8, 1995 - Allison, Texas
June 22, 2007 - Elie, Canada
August 19, 1845 - Montville, France
April 24, 1880 - Langleyville, Illinois
June 17, 1882 - Grinnell, Illinois
April 3, 1974 - Tanner, Alabama

 

[MNTornadoGuy]

In no particular order, my list of the most violent tornadoes ever documented is:

May 27, 1997 - Jarrell, Texas
March 18, 1925 - Tri-State Tornado
April 27, 2011 - Smithville, Mississippi
April 27, 2011 - Hackleburg-Phil Campbell, Alabama
May 24, 2011 - Piedmont, Oklahoma
May 15, 1896 - Sherman, Texas
May 3, 1999 - Bridge Creek-Moore, Oklahoma
June 1, 1990 - Bakersfield Valley, Texas
June 12, 1899 - New Richmond, Wisconsin
April 27, 2011 - Philadelphia, Mississippi
April 5, 1936 - Tupelo, Mississippi
April 27, 2011 - Rainsville, Alabama
May 12, 2004 - Harper, Kansas
April 26 1991 - Andover, Kansas
June 8, 1953 - Flint-Beecher, Michigan
April 4, 1977 - Smithfield-Birmingham, Alabama
May 22, 2011 - Joplin, Missouri
March 13, 1990 - Hesston, Kansas
June 9, 1984 - Ivanovo, Soviet Union
April 9, 1947 - Woodward, Oklahoma
January 10, 1973 - San Justo, Argentina
May 1, 1895 - Halstead, Kansas
May 31, 1985 - Niles, Ohio-Wheatland, Pennsylvania
July 6, 1893 - Pomeroy, Iowa
April 3, 1956 - Hudsonville-Standale, Michigan
June 13, 1976 - Jordan, Iowa
May 25, 2008 - Parkersburg, Iowa
May 25, 1955 - Udall, Kansas
April 3, 1974 - Brandenburg, Kentucky
May 3, 1999 - Mulhall, Oklahoma
May 31, 2013 - Moore, Oklahoma
June 16, 1992 - Chandler, Minnesota
April 3, 1974 - Guin, Alabama
April 16, 1998 - Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
July 18, 1996 - Oakfield, Wisconsin
June 8, 1984 - Barneveld, Wisconsin
May 4, 2007 - Greensburg, Kansas
August 28, 1990 - Plainfield, Illinois
April 3, 1974 - Xenia, Ohio
June 20, 1957 - Fargo, North Dakota
April 10, 1929 - Sneed-Pleasant valley, Arkansas
June 10, 1938 - Clyde, Texas
March 13, 1990 - Goessel, Kansas
June 8, 1995 - Kellerville, Texas
June 8, 1995 - Allison, Texas
June 22, 2007 - Elie, Canada
August 19, 1845 - Montville, France
April 24, 1880 - Langleyville, Illinois
June 17, 1882 - Grinnell, Illinois
April 3, 1974 - Tanner, Alabama

Ivanovo and Montville were not even close to the strongest tornadoes ever in my opinion. Violent but probably not of F5 intensity. Most of their supposed extreme violence are rumors.

 

[TH2002]

Ivanovo and Montville were not even close to the strongest tornadoes ever in my opinion. Violent but probably not of F5 intensity. Most of their supposed extreme violence are rumors.

I believe Ivanovo was an F5 tornado. Found some pictures on a Russian-language website (Вот подсказка - помогает если вы говорите по-Русски ) that seem to show instances of probable F5 damage. You may be right about Montville though I haven't done much research on that event. Pictures attatched.

First picture, two men surveying a neighborhood that was completely leveled. Second picture, the 700,000 pound crane that was ripped from its anchorings and knocked over by the storm. Third picture, the foundation of a house that was swept away in Ivanovo. Fourth picture, a saw found embedded into a tree limb.

 

[MNTornadoGuy]

I believe Ivanovo was an F5 tornado. Found some pictures on a Russian-language website (Вот подсказка - помогает если вы говорите по-Русски ) that seem to show instances of probable F5 damage. You may be right about Montville though I haven't done much research on that event. Pictures attatched.

First picture, two men surveying a neighborhood that was completely leveled. Second picture, the 700,000 pound crane that was ripped from its anchorings and knocked over by the storm. Third picture, the foundation of a house that was swept away in Ivanovo. Fourth picture, a saw found embedded into a tree limb.

If it was an F5 it was a marginal one. The homes seem pretty frail and not well-anchored. Also, EF3s have knocked over equally large and heavy cranes.

 

[TH2002]

If it was an F5 it was a marginal one. The homes seem pretty frail and not well-anchored. Also, EF3s have knocked over equally large and heavy cranes.

You may be right, especially considering construction standards in the former USSR were often quite poor. I've read that the tornado also scoured pavement, hurled two water tanks roughly a tenth of a mile and scattered heavy containers over roughly half a mile though I haven't been able to find any photos of that yet. Of course if you look up "Ivanovo tornado damage" or something to that effect, the vast majority of the images show damage akin to a tornado of F2 or F3 intensity. The Kostroma tornado which was part of the same outbreak knocked over a similarly heavy crane, however that tornado received an F4 rating.

 

[A Guy]

Hi folks. Have followed this thread and severe events from down under for ages, as well as the original version of the forum before it went down.

Thought I'd point out that there's a couple of recent papers on the '84 Soviet Union outbreak.

Finch

- Electronic Journal of Severe Storms Meteorology.

http://gis.psu.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Chernokulsky_Shikhov_Paper.pdf

The latter is particularly interesting as it uses LandSat to determine the actual tracks, as a lot of the reported tracks are suspect. Information is widely conflicting, the two papers above cite an F4 rating from Russian literature but the same source is used for an F5 rating in this paper https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/142/12/mwr-d-14-00107.1.xml

It seems that the best evidence indicates there was a single violent tornado at Ivanovo, most likely F4, and no separate violent tornado near Kostroma.

 

[Marshal79344]

My List of Extraordinarily Intense Tornadoes (Definitely missing some of the older ones)

June 1, 1878: Richmond, MO
February 19, 1884: Piedmont, AL
April 25, 1893: Moore, OK
April 28, 1893: Cisco, TX
July 6, 1893: Pomeroy, IA
May 15, 1896: Sherman, TX
June 12, 1899: New Richmond, WI
January 22, 1904: Moundville, AL
March 18, 1925: Tri-State Tornado (especially in the Gorham vicinity right after it crossed the Mississippi)
March 18, 1925: Gallatin, TN area
April 10, 1929: Sneed, AR
March 21, 1932: Union Grove - Thorsby, AL (deadliest, largest, and final of the three training tornadoes in that area on that day)
May 9, 1933: Beatty Swamps, TN (north of Livingston)
April 9, 1947: Tri-State Plains Tornado
June 8, 1953: Flint, MI
May 25, 1955: Udall, KS
May 20, 1957: Ruskin Heights, MO
June 10, 1958: El Dorado, KS
May 5, 1961: Kansas City, MO area
April 11, 1965: Elkhart, IN (First tornado)
April 11, 1965: Toledo, OH
April 11, 1965: Kokomo, IN
May 8, 1965: Primrose, NE
March 3, 1966: Jiangsu Province, China
March 3, 1966: Jackson, MS - Tuscaloosa, AL
August 29, 1969: Tianjin, China
January 10, 1973: San Justo, Argentina
April 3, 1974: Brandenburg, KY
April 3, 1974: Tanner, AL
April 3, 1974: Guin, AL
June 13, 1976: Jordan, IA
April 4, 1977: Birmingham, AL
June 8, 1984: Barneveld, WI (subdivision at the northeastern edge of town)
May 31, 1985: Niles, OH - Wheatland, PA
May 31, 1985: Kane, PA (based on satellite of tree damage early in the track)
May 31, 1985: Moshannon State Forest, PA
May 15, 1989: Brackettville, TX
March 13, 1990: Hesston, KS
June 1, 1990: Bakersfield Valley, TX
June 15, 1990: Stratton, NE
August 28, 1990: Plainfield, IL
April 26, 1991: Winfield, KS
April 26, 1991: Andover, KS
April 26, 1991: Red Rock, OK
June 8, 1995: Kellerville, TX
June 8, 1995: Allison, TX
May 27, 1997: Jarrell, TX
April 16, 1998: First Tornado from Lawrence Supercell
April 16, 1998: Second F5 from Lawrence Supercell
May 3, 1999: Bridge Creek - Moore, OK
May 3, 1999: Mulhall, OK
May 3, 1999: Dover, OK
May 11, 1999: Loyal Valley, TX
May 12, 2004: Harper, KS
July 13, 2004: Roanoke, IL
July 18, 2004: Marion, ND
May 4, 2007: Every EF3+ rated tornado from the Greensburg Supercell
May 23, 2008: Every EF3+ rated Tornado with the exception of Fort Supply, OK
September 7, 2009: San Pedro, Misiones, Argentina
April 27, 2011: Philadelphia, MS
April 27, 2011: Cordova, AL
April 27, 2011: Tuscaloosa - Birmingham, AL
April 27, 2011: Hackleburg - Phil Campbell, AL
April 27, 2011: EF3 Before Smithville
April 27, 2011: Smithville, MS
April 27, 2011: Rainsville, AL
April 27, 2011: Ringgold, GA
April 27, 2011: New Harmony, TN
May 22, 2011: Joplin, MO
May 24, 2011: Every EF3+ rated tornado that occurred in Central Oklahoma
April 14, 2012: Salina, KS
April 14, 2012: Manchester, OK
April 14, 2012: Trousdale, KS
May 19, 2013: Carney-Fallis, OK
May 19, 2013: Lake Thunderbird, OK
May 20, 2013: Moore, OK
May 27, 2013: Cora, KS
May 31, 2013: El Reno Tornado
November 17, 2013: Washington, IL
April 27, 2014: Vilonia, AR
April 28, 2014: Louisville, MS
June 16, 2014: Every EF4+ tornado from the Pilger Supercell with the exception of Wakefield
June 17, 2014: Coleridge, NE
April 9, 2015: Rochelle, IL
May 9, 2015: Cisco, TX
December 23, 2015: Holly Springs, MS
May 25, 2016: Chapman, KS
June 23, 2016: Jiangsu Province China
April 29, 2017: Both Canton Tornadoes
June 6, 2018: Laramie, WY
May 20, 2019: Odessa, TX
May 20, 2019: Mangum, OK
April 12, 2020: Bassfield, MS

 

[Robinson lee]

In no particular order, my list of the most violent tornadoes ever documented is:

May 27, 1997 - Jarrell, Texas
March 18, 1925 - Tri-State Tornado
April 27, 2011 - Smithville, Mississippi
April 27, 2011 - Hackleburg-Phil Campbell, Alabama
May 24, 2011 - Piedmont, Oklahoma
May 15, 1896 - Sherman, Texas
May 3, 1999 - Bridge Creek-Moore, Oklahoma
June 1, 1990 - Bakersfield Valley, Texas
June 12, 1899 - New Richmond, Wisconsin
April 27, 2011 - Philadelphia, Mississippi
April 5, 1936 - Tupelo, Mississippi
April 27, 2011 - Rainsville, Alabama
May 12, 2004 - Harper, Kansas
April 26 1991 - Andover, Kansas
June 8, 1953 - Flint-Beecher, Michigan
April 4, 1977 - Smithfield-Birmingham, Alabama
May 22, 2011 - Joplin, Missouri
March 13, 1990 - Hesston, Kansas
June 9, 1984 - Ivanovo, Soviet Union
April 9, 1947 - Woodward, Oklahoma
January 10, 1973 - San Justo, Argentina
May 1, 1895 - Halstead, Kansas
May 31, 1985 - Niles, Ohio-Wheatland, Pennsylvania
July 6, 1893 - Pomeroy, Iowa
April 3, 1956 - Hudsonville-Standale, Michigan
June 13, 1976 - Jordan, Iowa
May 25, 2008 - Parkersburg, Iowa
May 25, 1955 - Udall, Kansas
April 3, 1974 - Brandenburg, Kentucky
May 3, 1999 - Mulhall, Oklahoma
May 31, 2013 - Moore, Oklahoma
June 16, 1992 - Chandler, Minnesota
April 3, 1974 - Guin, Alabama
April 16, 1998 - Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
July 18, 1996 - Oakfield, Wisconsin
June 8, 1984 - Barneveld, Wisconsin
May 4, 2007 - Greensburg, Kansas
August 28, 1990 - Plainfield, Illinois
April 3, 1974 - Xenia, Ohio
June 20, 1957 - Fargo, North Dakota
April 10, 1929 - Sneed-Pleasant valley, Arkansas
June 10, 1938 - Clyde, Texas
March 13, 1990 - Goessel, Kansas
June 8, 1995 - Kellerville, Texas
June 8, 1995 - Allison, Texas
June 22, 2007 - Elie, Canada
August 19, 1845 - Montville, France
April 24, 1880 - Langleyville, Illinois
June 17, 1882 - Grinnell, Illinois
April 3, 1974 - Tanner, Alabama

First of all, I have a lot of questions about tornadoes. Many ancient tornadoes are really powerful, such as New Richmond, tristate, Woodward and so on. However, some other ancient tornadoes lack too much information, or the description is not consistent with the actual damage found. In 1973, the sanjusto tornado caused a very terrible car damage. However, considering the tornado in the city, the impact of vehicles and buildings, as well as the tornado's slow moving speed (of course, it may be wrong to record) increased damage to vehicles, I have to pay attention to the buildings There is no particularly impressive picture. In addition, in 1990, although the Hurston family's vehicles caused considerable damage, most of the damage was not very impressive. If we say it now, maybe only the ef4 rating. In 1984, a paper on a tornado in the Soviet Union proved that this was an exaggeration, mainly because the reinforced concrete factory building was not destroyed and a 50 ton water tank was thrown from a high platform. Nevertheless, I still think your ranking is reasonable. Some tornadoes are really what I want to see

 

[TH2002]

First of all, I have a lot of questions about tornadoes. Many ancient tornadoes are really powerful, such as New Richmond, tristate, Woodward and so on. However, some other ancient tornadoes lack too much information, or the description is not consistent with the actual damage found. In 1973, the sanjusto tornado caused a very terrible car damage. However, considering the tornado in the city, the impact of vehicles and buildings, as well as the tornado's slow moving speed (of course, it may be wrong to record) increased damage to vehicles, I have to pay attention to the buildings There is no particularly impressive picture. In addition, in 1990, although the Hurston family's vehicles caused considerable damage, most of the damage was not very impressive. If we say it now, maybe only the ef4 rating. Also, in 1990, the buckfield tornado was said to have blown a 70 ton tank three miles, but someone said on talkweather that the tornado actually blew the tank three miles. In 1984, a paper on a tornado in the Soviet Union proved that this was an exaggeration, mainly because the reinforced concrete factory building was not destroyed and a 50 ton water tank was thrown from a high platform. Nevertheless, I still think your ranking is reasonable. Some tornadoes are really what I want to see

San Justo - Ted Fujita extensively studied this tornado and considered it to be the most powerful tornado he had ever documented outside of the United States. Picture attatched is of a home completely swept away. I did see a lot of great photos and videos someone posted to a forum (this site or maybe it was Stormtrack? not sure) that had some impressive damage photos. In this case I believe an F5 rating was appropriate.

Hesston/Goessel - The Hesston and Goessel tornadoes swept away numerous homes (including some that were well-constructed), Hesston obliterated a steel-reinforced factory building, vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and stripped to their frames, and severe ground scouring occurred. I believe the F5 ratings are appropriate.

Bakersfield Valley - The tanks were more or less rolled/bounced for three miles which is extremely impressive. Concrete was also scoured from a drainage culvert. The tornado remained in rural areas and impacted few structures which makes the damage all the more impressive. Damage survey assigned an F4 rating though I would probably side with an F5 rating.

Ivanovo - Upon re-evaluation, I do believe that the intensity of the Ivanovo tornado is a bit overrated. In my mind, the Ivanovo tornado was a low-end F5 tornado, which is still impressive considering the region in which the tornado occurred. The claim that the tornado scoured pavement from a highway appears to be unsubstantiated as I can't find any pictures of that damage, only mentions in a few articles. Found a video with a lot of pictures, I'll post some of the more impressive ones later.

 

[Robinson lee]

San Justo - Ted Fujita extensively studied this tornado and considered it to be the most powerful tornado he had ever documented outside of the United States. Picture attatched is of a home completely swept away. I did see a lot of great photos and videos someone posted to a forum (this site or maybe it was Stormtrack? not sure) that had some impressive damage photos. In this case I believe an F5 rating was appropriate.

Hesston/Goessel - The Hesston and Goessel tornadoes swept away numerous homes (including some that were well-constructed), Hesston obliterated a steel-reinforced factory building, vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and stripped to their frames, and severe ground scouring occurred. I believe the F5 ratings are appropriate.

Bakersfield Valley - The tanks were more or less rolled/bounced for three miles which is extremely impressive. Concrete was also scoured from a drainage culvert. The tornado remained in rural areas and impacted few structures which makes the damage all the more impressive. Damage survey assigned an F4 rating though I would probably side with an F5 rating.

Ivanovo - Upon re-evaluation, I do believe that the intensity of the Ivanovo tornado is a bit overrated. In my mind, the Ivanovo tornado was a low-end F5 tornado, which is still impressive considering the region in which the tornado occurred. The claim that the tornado scoured pavement from a highway appears to be unsubstantiated as I can't find any pictures of that damage, only mentions in a few articles. Found a video with a lot of pictures, I'll post some of the more impressive ones later.

Yes, they should be rated F5. I don't deny that these tornadoes are F5. I'm not impressed, but relatively speaking, they're not as powerful as the most powerful tornado in real history. Their destruction is not as impressive as that caused by tornadoes such as Bridge Creek, Moore and Smithville. As you just mentioned, some of their damage is really serious, but if we discuss the most serious tornado in history, I may not put them on this list

 

[TH2002]

Yes, they should be rated F5. I don't deny that these tornadoes are F5. I'm not impressed, but relatively speaking, they're not as powerful as the most powerful tornado in real history. Their destruction is not as impressive as that caused by tornadoes such as Bridge Creek, Moore and Smithville. As you just mentioned, some of their damage is really serious, but if we discuss the most serious tornado in history, I may not put them on this list

If I narrowed down my list to a top 10 Ivanovo and San Justo probably wouldn't make the cut though I still believe Hesston/Goessel and Bakersfield Valley were exceptionally violent. Ivanovo and San Justo were undoutedbly violent F5 tornadoes, though as you mention not as violent as some other F5/EF5 tornadoes. If I had to choose from the four, Bakersfield Valley was probably the most violent. Hesston/Goessel were still exceptionally violent although they may not make a top 10.

 

[TH2002]

One significant tornado event that intrigues me is the April 10, 2011 Merrill, WI tornado. Aside from being the strongest tornado in an early-season tornado outbreak where the peak tornado season is usually in the summer, the tornadoes occurred with patches of snow still on the ground.
Video taken as the tornado was forming that possibly shows patches of snow still on the ground in the background (though unfortunately it's very difficult to tell for sure):


NWS Green Bay page with information on all of the tornadoes including the Merrill EF3. In one of the pictures snow can be clearly seen; seeing a wedge tornado and snow on the ground in the same picture is interesting to say the least.

April 10, 2011 Tornado Outbreak

 

[pohnpei]

If I narrowed down my list to a top 10 Ivanovo and San Justo probably wouldn't make the cut though I still believe Hesston/Goessel and Bakersfield Valley were exceptionally violent. Ivanovo and San Justo were undoutedbly violent F5 tornadoes, though as you mention not as violent as some other F5/EF5 tornadoes. If I had to choose from the four, Bakersfield Valley was probably the most violent. Hesston/Goessel were still exceptionally violent although they may not make a top 10.

I believe Bakersfield Valley was among the most violent tornados in the history but still would like to find more information about Hesston/Goessel. For those tornados in the past time, I always particularly focus on its vegatation damage due to the reason that it was the most common things along most tornado's path and lack of information of building construction details. (We now know some of EF3 or even EF2 tornados can swept residence clean from its foundation thanks to EF scale.)
All of tornados that went through a town/city had been considered EF5 intensity had some incredible vegatation damage(Some especially strong tornads can cause incredible tree damage even in rural areas despite the feature of lack of debris.), so I would expect the same thing happened on Hesston as well. But it seems a little hard to find very high end tree damage inside the town of Hesston. (Maybe I missed something.)