North Dakota Tornado Upgraded to EF5, First US Storm of Such Strength Since 2013

A tornado that struck Enderlin, North Dakota on June 20, 2025, has been officially upgraded to an EF5 rating, marking the first EF5 tornado in the United States since 2013. The National Weather Service (NWS) reclassified the tornado after an extensive damage survey and forensic analysis, including the derailment of 33 train cars and one being thrown over 475 feet, indicating wind speeds exceeding 210 mph. The tornado carved a path over 12 miles long and was more than a mile wide at its peak, causing three fatalities and significant destruction in a largely rural area. EF5 tornadoes are the rarest and most violent, with winds over 200 mph capable of devastating damage such as sweeping away homes and destroying infrastructure. The previous EF5 tornado before this event was the deadly 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado, which killed 24 people. Meteorologists noted that tornadoes are rated based on damage indicators, and the delay in upgrading was due to initially limited damage evidence, which was clarified after detailed assessments including radar and wind damage experts' input.