On June 20, 2025, a powerful tornado struck North Dakota near Enderlin, making history as the first EF-5 tornado in the United States in 12 years. Initially categorized as an EF-3, the tornado’s classification was later elevated to EF-5 based on extensive damage assessment.
Details of the Tornado Event
- Date: June 20, 2025
- Location: Near Enderlin, North Dakota
- EF-5 Classification: First in 12 years; 60th recorded EF-5 in the U.S. since 1950
- Impact: 41 tornadoes and 7 fatalities, including 3 directly linked to the Enderlin tornado
Reasons for EF-5 Classification
The tornado exhibited winds exceeding 340 km/h. This surpassed the EF-5 threshold of 315 km/h. Investigators found evidence of significant destruction, such as:
- Grain train cars moved over 150 meters
- Agricultural machinery overturned
- A farmhouse completely removed from its foundation
These indicators prompted officials to revise the tornado’s classification following a thorough damage assessment.
Context of the Tornado Formation
This tornado was part of a broader derecho, a fast-moving line of severe storms. The derecho traveled swiftly from Montana across North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, impacting over 1200 kilometers.
Understanding Tornado Classifications
The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF) ranks tornadoes from EF-0 to EF-5 based on observed damage and estimated wind speeds. An EF-5 rating indicates “catastrophic” damage. In this instance, the tornado’s devastation was severe. If it had struck in a more urban area, the consequences could have been far worse.
This event marks a rare occurrence of such a powerful tornado in a region not typical for these disasters, highlighting the shifting patterns of severe weather.
