User:Kingbob2011

Hello I'm obsessed with tornado damage surveys below is a list of tornados that could have been rated EF5 if things played out differently and current major damage surveys.THIS IS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT.

2025

Macks–Diaz–Campbell Station, Arkansas

This was the photo taken after debris was cleaned up.

This high-end EF4 tornado mostly swept away a well-anchored home and obliterated multiple metal structures. Numerous trees were heavily debarked. The EF4 rating has been the subject of some debate within the weather community. Damage photos show a clean foundation with little to no debris remaining; however, drone footage taken earlier in the morning confirmed that debris was still present on the slab before it was cleared—reportedly before the survey team arrived. Despite this, the tornado received a high-end EF4 rating because the home was largely destroyed, though not entirely swept clean. Fortunately, while two people were injured, there were no fatalities.

How could have the Diaz Arkansas tornado earned a EF-5 rating?

Had the house been completely swept away—and with another nearby home also destroyed in a similar manner—the tornado likely would have been rated EF5.

Wolf Creek–Hudgens–Marion, Illinois

The well constructed home swept away.

This high-end EF4 tornado completely swept away a well-constructed home, caused significant damage to a prison, and leveled several other homes. Despite the extreme destruction, it was not rated EF5 because the home that was swept away was not properly anchored—it was nailed to its foundation rather than bolted. However, the house was still well built, which contributed to the high-end EF4 rating. Seven people sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and fortunately, no fatalities were reported.

How could have the Wolf Creek–Hudgens–Marion, Illinois tornado earned a EF-5 rating?

Had the home been properly anchored and still been swept away—along with another nearby home experiencing similar destruction—the tornado likely would have warranted an EF5 rating.

2024

Greenfield tornado

The well built home swept away.

This EF4 tornado tore through Greenfield, Iowa, destroying multiple homes, completely sweeping away a well-built house, and shredding several wind turbines. The EF4 rating sparked significant debate within the meteorological community regarding the Enhanced Fujita scale. The primary argument centers on the fact that wind gusts of 309–318 mph were recorded, yet the tornado was not rated EF5. The reasoning behind this decision was that the tornado had weakened before striking the town, and no well-built, well-anchored structures were impacted during its peak intensity. Tragically, five people lost their lives, and 35 others were injured.

How could have the Greenfield tornado tornado earned a EF-5 rating?

Had the tornado either maintained its peak intensity as it entered Greenfield or struck a well-built, well-anchored structure during its most powerful phase, it likely would have been rated EF5.

2023

Rolling Fork–Silver City tornado

The brick flower shop partially swept away.

This high-end EF4 tornado devastated Rolling Fork, Mississippi, leveling homes and buildings, partially sweeping away a well-built brick flower shop, and destroying one of the town’s water towers. The brick flower shop, though only partially swept away, was well constructed and led to a damage estimate consistent with 195 mph winds—supporting an EF4 rating. However, the survey team did not assign an EF5 rating due to insufficient confidence, as the building adjacent to the flower shop was leveled with damage consistent only with high-end EF3 intensity. Structural engineer Ethan Moriarty later concluded that winds of approximately 229 mph would have been required to collapse the water tower. While this supports the possibility of EF5-level winds, water towers are not official Damage Indicators (DIs) on the Enhanced Fujita scale and therefore could not be used to influence the rating. Tragically, 17 people were killed and 165 others were injured. The rating and overall damage survey remain heavily debated within the weather community.

How could have the Rolling Fork–Silver City tornado tornado earned a EF-5 rating?

Had there been another well-built, well-anchored structure that experienced similar destruction, the tornado likely would have received an EF5 rating.

2021

Well built structure swept away.

Western Kentucky tornado

This long-track, high-end EF4 tornado that struck Mayfield, Kentucky, and several surrounding towns caused catastrophic damage. It leveled much of the area, destroyed a candle factory, and demolished numerous homes and buildings. The tornado's rating has been the subject of ongoing debate, with some arguing that it should have been classified as an EF5. However, the primary factor preventing such a designation was the construction quality of the structures in its path. Many of the buildings were not well constructed and were unable to withstand even EF3 or EF4 winds, making it impossible to accurately assess whether the tornado produced EF5-level wind speeds. Regardless of its official rating, the tornado resulted in the tragic loss of 58 lives and left 519 people injured.

How could have the Western Kentucky tornado earned a EF-5 rating?

Had there been a well built well anchored home or building that was swept away the tornado would have likely received an EF-5 rating.

2015

A concrete walkway moved from the intense winds of the tornado

Rochelle–Fairdale tornado

This extremely violent, high-end EF4 tornado tore through the towns of Rochelle and Fairdale, Illinois, sweeping away multiple well-constructed and well-anchored homes. It also destroyed a concrete silo and obliterated a well-built barn. The tornado's rating has been a topic of debate within the weather community and meteorologist.The primary reason it was rated an EF4 rather than an EF5 was the discovery of certain issues with the anchoring of some homes. While many of the structures were well anchored, a few were missing components of their anchor bolts. Additionally, despite the complete destruction of several well-anchored homes, nearby trees did not experience total devastation. Due to these factors, the National Weather Service did not have sufficient confidence to assign an EF5 rating to the tornado.

How could have the Rochelle–Fairdale tornado earned a EF-5 rating?

Had the homes been more securely anchored, and if the surrounding areas had also sustained comparable destruction, the tornado would have likely earned an EF5 rating.

2013

El Reno tornado

Heavy damage to a home.

This exceptionally large EF3 tornado destroyed multiple farm structures and caused significant damage to several homes. The tornado is well-known for its immense size, spanning over two miles in width, and for radar estimates that indicated winds exceeding 300 mph. Its rating has been the subject of considerable debate. Initially assigned a preliminary EF5 rating, it was later downgraded to EF3 after surveys revealed a lack of EF5-level damage. The primary reason for this downgrade was that the tornado moved mostly across rural areas, where there were few structures to provide definitive evidence of its intensity. Tragically, eight people lost their lives—four of whom were storm chasers—and 151 others were injured.

How could have El Reno tornado earned a EF5 rating?

Had the tornado struck more structures that were well built and properly anchored, it would have likely received an EF5 rating.

Current major tornado surveys

-Enderlin, North dakota current status:ongoing preliminary rating EF3+