Which states are most at risk for tornadoes? Here’s how many hit Ohio in 2024
As June wraps up, experts with the National Weather Service in Cleveland say it’s been one of the most active tornado seasons in Ohio’s history.
On Saturday, the 63rd tornado of the year touched down in Williard, located in Huron County.
The tornado broke Ohio’s previous record for most recorded in one year, which was set in 1992.
Tornadoes most common in these U.S. states
Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and Missouri are the states most at risk for tornadoes during peak spring and summer twister weather.
Ohio rounded out the top ten most states where property and lives are at risk of damaging winds from tornadoes.
That’s based on a new study from personal injury attorneys Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu and Montesi, PLC.
They looked at data from the National Centers for Environmental Information from Jan. 1 2019 to May 28 2024.
To make the top ten list of most dangerous areas in the U.S. for tornadoes, they studied the number of tornadoes per 1,000 spare miles as well as the number of fatalities and injuries direct and indirect caused by the tornadoes.
Damaging tornadoes are rated EF2 and above, which means they caused considerable damage with wind speeds exceeding 111-135 miles per hour.
Mahoning Valley tornadoes
Stacker compiled a list of the 50 Ohio counties historically hit by tornadoes most often by using 2023 data from the National Centers for Environmental Information.
Since 2000, at least eight tornadoes have been recorded in Trumbull County, and at least six in Columbiana County, but that number has gone up.
Last month, the NWS sounded the alarms after a tornado was spotted south of Columbiana County and another tornado in April in Trumbull County.
4 tips for what to do during a tornado watch vs. tornado warning
If there is a tornado watch, tornado warning or severe weather in your area, here are four things to remember about staying safe:
1. Tornado Watch means Be Prepared: When conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Be ready to move to a place of safety if the watch is upgraded to a warning or if threatening weather approaches.
2. Tornado Warning means Take Action: When a tornado is imminent or has been sighted. Warnings indicate impending danger to life and property.
3. Finding shelter during a Tornado Warning- Know what to do if a tornado warning has been issued for your area. Identify a safe place in your home where household members and pets will gather during a tornado: a basement, underground shelter or cellar, or tornado safe room offer the best protection, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
4. Interpreting sirens outside- Many Ohio counties have outdoor warning sirens that sound when severe weather is imminent. Outdoor warning sirens are designed to be heard outdoors. When the sirens are heard, go inside and tune to local media to get more information.
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