What is an F-5 Tornado?

An F-5 tornado is the highest-rated tornado on the original Fujita scale, characterized by wind speeds exceeding 261 mph (420 km/h). These tornadoes cause complete devastation, obliterating well-built structures, lifting vehicles, and stripping pavement off roads.

F-5 tornadoes are rare but extremely dangerous. They have been responsible for some of the most destructive and deadly tornado events in history. Entire communities can be leveled, leaving little to no recognizable structures. Trees are often debarked, and even steel-reinforced buildings can sustain severe damage.

Because of their immense power, underground storm shelters and reinforced above-ground safe rooms are the best protection against an F-5 tornado. Standard homes and buildings offer little to no safety when facing this level of destruction. Emergency preparedness, including having a tornado plan and access to a shelter, is crucial in high-risk tornado regions.

While the original Fujita scale has been replaced by the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which refines damage assessments, an F-5 tornado corresponds closely to an EF-5, which still represents the most violent and catastrophic tornado category.