The 7 Most Powerful Hurricanes Ever Recorded

Arab Weather - Economy Now - Hurricanes are among the most powerful and destructive natural phenomena. They arise as a result of harsh climatic conditions that lead to the formation of violent air vortices that rotate at high speeds, causing widespread destruction in the areas they cross. Among these hurricanes, there are some that have achieved record numbers in size and destruction, so that they have become milestones in the history of natural disasters.

Hurricanes of this type not only affect individuals and surrounding communities, but also prompt improvements in monitoring and warning techniques, as well as the development of preparedness strategies to confront these disasters. In this article, we cover the most prominent hurricanes that recorded unprecedented numbers, in terms of their size and strength, while highlighting the damage they left in their path and how they contributed to stimulating progress in the field of meteorology and emergencies.

Hurricanes that set records in the history of natural disasters

1. Omaha Tornado​
   The Omaha tornado occurred on March 23, 1913, in Nebraska. It was one of the most destructive tornadoes in the state's history. The tornado was about a half-mile wide, was a Category F4 , and killed 103 people, injured more than 350 others, and caused massive damage to more than 600 homes. The tornado occurred on Easter Sunday, leaving many people unsafe while attending churches and community events. The damage was extensive, with most neighborhoods in Omaha destroyed. This disaster prompted the city to step up its preparedness measures for future tornadoes.
2. Pforzheim Tornado​
   The Pforzheim tornado occurred on July 10, 1968 in Pforzheim, Germany. It was among the largest and most destructive tornadoes in Europe, measuring about 0.6 miles wide and traveling 12 miles. Although it was less intense than some other tornadoes in terms of speed (category F4 ), its impact was devastating, killing two people, injuring more than 200, destroying thousands of buildings, and uprooting hundreds of trees, making this event a landmark in European weather history.
3. Joplin Tornado​
   On May 22, 2011, the Joplin tornado swept through Missouri, leaving a mile-wide trail of destruction and ranking as one of the most destructive tornadoes in modern U.S. history. The tornado was an EF5 , with winds of over 200 mph, and caused an estimated $2.8 billion in damage, making it one of the costliest tornadoes in U.S. history. The tornado killed 161 people and injured more than 1,000. The recovery period from this disaster was long, and it contributed to the development of emergency preparedness efforts and early warning systems.
4. Tri -State Tornado
   On March 18, 1925, the Tri-State Tornado swept through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, setting a record for the longest tornado in history, lasting 3.5 hours and covering 219 miles. It was one of the most powerful tornadoes on record ( EF5 ), with winds of nearly 300 mph. The tornado killed 695 people, injured more than 2,000, and destroyed many cities. The tornado had a profound impact on American society, prompting improved emergency preparedness and research into tornado patterns and how to track them.
5. New Richmond Tornado
   On June 12, 1899, a tornado struck New Richmond, Wisconsin, considered one of the deadliest tornadoes in the state's history. The tornado was more than a mile wide at some points and had winds of up to 260 mph. The tornado coincided with a circus festival, leaving residents in a precarious position as they tried to find shelter. The tornado killed 117 people, injured more than 200 others, and destroyed about 300 buildings in the city.
6. Bridge Creek - Moore Tornado
   On May 3, 1999, the Bridge Creek-Moore tornado swept through Oklahoma, reaching an unprecedented width of 1.3 miles and winds of 301 mph, making it one of the most powerful tornadoes in U.S. history. The devastating tornado devastated neighborhoods in Bridge Creek, Moore, and Oklahoma City, killing 36 people and causing damage of up to $1 billion.
7. Hallam Tornado​

The tornado that struck Nebraska on May 22, 2004, was one of the most powerful and widest tornadoes ever recorded in the state. The tornado was 2.5 miles wide at its peak, making it one of the widest tornadoes ever recorded, allowing us to see the aftermath of a storm of this size. The tornado was an F4 , and it tore across 33 miles of rural land and into the small town of Hallam.

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