Tornado Outbreak Shatters North Dakota Record
This summer, June 20th marked a devastating day for North Dakota. In a rural town near Enderlin, a powerful tornado ravaged through, leaving three dead and a mass of destruction. It became the first EF5 tornado on record for North Dakota, and the first EF5 to shake the US in over 12 years.
In this blog, we’re breaking down how the EF5 tornado shook a small town, what’s causing these powerful storms, and how you can prepare for tornadoes in the future.
Enderlin Tornado Breaks 12-Year Record
The EF5 tornado that hit North Dakota was just one in a string of tornadoes that spawned across both North and South Dakota on the evening of Sunday, the 20th of June. There were more than 20 twisters reported over the course of around 200 miles; one of them was the deadly EF5 tornado. The tornado touched down and tracked for almost 20 minutes across 12 miles, spanning a monstrous 1.05 miles wide.
For a tornado to be categorized as an EF5—which is the highest category—it must exceed wind speeds of more than 200 miles per hour. Tornadoes aren’t to be confused with hurricanes, however. The difference between tornadoes and hurricanes is that tornadoes are wind spouts that form over land or sea. They’re typically formed from thunderstorms and are generally short-lived, lasting around 10 to 20 minutes. They have the potential for higher wind speeds and can reach up to 300mph. Meanwhile, hurricanes are large-scale storms with wind speeds up to 200 miles per hour, happen over a larger area, and can last for days.
The freak outbreak officially broke North Dakota’s yearly tornado record—the previous record being 61 tornadoes in 1999. While the exact numbers are still being confirmed, after at least 20 twisters on Sunday, North Dakota’s total count sits at 80. If that wasn’t enough, it also broke a 12-year record, marking it as the first EF5 tornado to hit the US since 2013.
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What’s Causing These Powerful Storms?
The damage caused by tornadoes can be catastrophic. This powerful EF5 tornado ripped through homes, destroyed farmsteads, uprooted trees, tore down transmission towers, and even tipped fully loaded train cars. The sheer brute force of an EF5 tornado can’t be stopped or avoided. But the question remains: what’s causing these extreme weather events?
Well, meteorologists are blaming shifting weather patterns and unusually warm weather as key factors in creating the ideal conditions for a supercell thunderstorm to form. For this particular twister, the humid airstream from the Gulf of Mexico clashed with the cooler northern airmasses and brewed up perfect conditions for a deadly EF5 tornado.
Preparing for Future Tornado Warnings
Make sure you have a tornado preparedness plan to keep you safe next time there’s a tornado warning:
Know the alerts: Understand the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A tornado watch is essentially telling you to be prepared, as twisters are possible in the area. A tornado warning is alerting you that danger is near and that you need to take immediate action.
Gather emergency supplies: Have at least three days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water to keep you and your family covered. Also, ensure that you include essential medical supplies.
Take shelter: Find a safe, sheltered spot to sit out the storm. Ideally, in a basement or interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building, away from any windows.
Portable phone charger: In the event of a power outage, it’s a good idea to have a backup battery charger for your phone, allowing you to stay connected to loved ones or neighbors.
Home power backup: If you want to ensure your entire home can stay connected in the event of extreme weather, a whole-home backup power solution is the way to go. Even when the power goes out, you can keep your most important devices powered, including your refrigerator and Wi-Fi.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where in North Dakota Did the Tornado Hit?
The powerful E5 tornado hit Enderlin in North Dakota. It touched down on the ground for just over 12 miles, reaching 1.05 miles wide at its largest, and wreaked havoc with winds in excess of 210 miles per hour.
When Was the Last EF5 Tornado in North Dakota?
While the US is prone to severe storms and damaging tornadoes, North Dakota has never actually had an EF5 tornado on record. The last EF5 tornado in the US—named Moore—was 12 years ago. It hit the state of Oklahoma, killing 24 people and injuring hundreds of others.
Deadly EF5 Tornado Redefines North Dakota Risk
The EF5 tornado that tore through North Dakota caused unprecedented damage to homes and killed three people. After smashing the 12-year record since the last EF5 hit the US, the twister has served as a wake-up call for many Americans to take these extreme weather events seriously and have a plan in place.
We can’t stop deadly tornadoes from occurring, but we can take steps to have a preparedness plan in place in the event of a tornado warning. Stocking up on essential food and medicines, as well as a backup power system, can give you peace of mind in the case of a weather emergency.