This Is Likely the Deadliest Year for Tornadoes in the U.S. in 8 Years

Chris Dolce

Published: April 14, 2020

Tornadoes so far in 2020 have likely been the deadliest in eight years, with more than four dozen lives lost.

Before Easter, there were already 33 deaths related to tornadoes in the United States, according to NOAA's Storm Prediction Center. The majority of those were in Tennessee March 2-3, when 25 lives were lost, including 19 who perished in an EF4 twister that struck near Cookeville.

The tragic severe weather outbreak in the South this past Sunday and Monday has claimed the lives of at least 34 people. A large majority of those deaths were because of tornadoes, but the exact number is still somewhat uncertain since some fatalities were because of damaging thunderstorm winds.

Even with the uncertain tornado death toll, it's likely 2020 has already surpassed the 55 lives lost in 2013, which would make this the deadliest tornado year since 2012.

Tornadoes, on average, have killed 69 people per year in the years spanning 1989 to 2018, according to NOAA. That average is skewed somewhat high because of the horrible 2011 tornado year, when 553 lives were lost.

This year there have been a number of potent tornadoes, which account for a larger number of tornado fatalities. Nearly 95% of tornado deaths from 2000 to 2019 were from strong (EF2/EF3) or violent tornadoes (EF4/EF5).

Violent (EF4 or EF5) tornadoes were responsible for half the tornado-related deaths in the U.S. from 2000 to 2019.

The 25 deaths in Tennessee during March were from tornadoes rated EF2 to EF4. Many of the deaths Sunday into Monday were also because of strong to violent tornadoes, including an EF4 in southern Mississippi.

Another factor in this year's loss of life is that some of the twisters have hit when it's dark outside. Tornadoes occurring at night are more than twice as likely to be deadly as those during the day, according to a study.

As of April 13, seven states in the South had lives lost because of tornadoes in 2020, from Texas to South Carolina. The region is the most favorable for tornado formation during the earlier part of the year.

When severe weather threatens, make sure you have multiple ways to receive warning information. This could include a NOAA weather radio, smartphone or television. Check this link for additional tips on what you can do to stay safe.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.