In the Wake of the Wind

It comes as no surprise that Texas tops the list for the most reported tornadoes. According to National Weather Service (NWS) data, there have been nearly 8,000 tornadoes reported in Texas from 1950 to 2009.

NWS records not only showcase tornadoes, they reveal the devastation left in the wake of the wind. Texans have paid a huge price in human lives as well with 10,200 injuries and 610 fatalities. By far, it’s the highest human toll in the nation.

There have been 5,792 tornado-related deaths and over 96,000 injuries across the country. The top 5 States with the most tornado-related deaths include:

                            Deaths                Injuries
Texas                    610                    10, 230
Mississippi             545                      7,471
Oklahoma              406                      6,597
Alabama                405                      6,597
Arkansas               370                      5,342

On the opposite end of the spectrum, records show states with the least fatalities include Vermont, Rhode Island, Nevada, Idaho, Hawaii, DC and California. None of these states have had a single tornado-related fatality.

To see how your state fairs, check out our interactive search.   The Human Toll