The absence of EF-5 tornadoes in the city may be attributed to the thorough damage assessments conducted rather than any significant changes in weather patterns. While the Chicago metro area consistently tops the charts in terms of severe weather damage, the Land of Lincoln, Illinois, is not typically the hardest-hit region. According to CoreLogic, Texas emerged as the most severely impacted state in 2024, with approximately 180,000 homes suffering damage from severe hailstorms. Although communities like Oklahoma City experienced significant wind-related destruction, the overall population and exposure levels are not as extensive as those in and around Chicago.
“Preventative measures, routine maintenance, and heightened awareness play crucial roles in storm preparedness,” Schneyer emphasized. The month of April marks the commencement of the most active tornado season in the United States, characterized by the convergence of warm, moisture-laden air from the Gulf of Mexico with cooler air masses originating from the Rocky Mountains and Canada. This atmospheric instability often fuels the formation of rotating supercells in the region commonly referred to as “Tornado Alley,” encompassing parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Arkansas.
Major severe weather events around the Chicago metropolitan area typically do not materialize until the months of May, June, and July, when the jet stream pattern shifts further north. On average, the United States experiences over 1,200 tornadoes annually, with nearly 90% of them categorized as EF1 strength or weaker. The National Weather Service office in Chicago reports that there have been more than half a dozen instances of EF4/F4 or EF5/F5 tornadoes striking the metro area since comprehensive record-keeping began in the 1950s. The deadliest tornado incident occurred in 1967 when an F4 tornado claimed the lives of 33 individuals and caused extensive property damage amounting to millions of dollars.
Enhanced Fujita Scale
Source: Original article – Chicago leads the nation in homes vulnerable to severe weather damage.
