The absence of EF-5 tornadoes in the city may not be due to changes in weather patterns, but rather because of effective damage assessments. Even though the Chicago metro area consistently ranks high for severe weather damage, the Land of Lincoln is not typically the hardest hit region.
In a report by CoreLogic, it was revealed that Texas bore the brunt of severe weather impacts in 2024, with approximately 180,000 homes sustaining damage from severe hail. While communities like Oklahoma City experienced significant wind damage, the overall population and exposure in these areas are not as extensive as those in and around Chicago.
“Preventative actions, regular maintenance, and heightened awareness are crucial elements of storm preparedness,” emphasized Schneyer. As April kicks off, it marks the beginning of the most active period for tornadoes in America. This is attributed to the collision of warm, moist air from the Gulf with a cooler airmass from the Rockies and Canada, creating an environment conducive to the formation of rotating supercells in what is commonly known as “Tornado Alley” encompassing parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Arkansas.
While large severe weather outbreaks around the Chicago-land area are more common in May, June, and July as the jet stream pattern moves further north, the United States witnesses an average of over 1,200 tornadoes annually, with nearly 90% of them categorized as EF1 strength or weaker. According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, there have been more than half a dozen EF4/F4 or EF5/F5 tornado strikes in the metro area since comprehensive records began to be maintained in the 1950s.
The most tragic incident took place in 1967 when an F4 tornado resulted in the loss of 33 lives and caused extensive financial damage. The Enhanced Fujita Scale is used to categorize tornado intensity, allowing for a better understanding of the destructive power of these natural phenomena.
Original article source: Chicago leads the nation in the number of homes susceptible to severe weather damage.
