The 2023 tornado season is shaping up to be quite active, with nearly 200 tornadoes wreaking havoc across the country so far this year. Read on to find out what states historically experience the most twisters each year — and how to ensure your home insurance policy adequately covers you against tornado damage.
Top 5 states with the most tornadoes in 2023 so far
Over 170 tornadoes have hit the U.S. so far in 2023, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). [1] Alabama has experienced the most tornadoes with 49 touching down in the state, followed by Georgia and Louisiana.
Here's a look at the top five states with the most tornadoes as of February 14, 2023:
State | Number of tornadoes in 2023 |
|---|
Alabama | 49 |
Georgia | 33 |
Louisiana | 20 |
Texas | 12 |
Mississippi | 11 |
Based on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service Annual Severe Weather Report Summary of 2023, which was last updated February 14, 2023
Top 10 states with the most tornadoes in 2022
Mississippi experienced the most tornadoes in 2022, followed by Texas and Alabama. Here's a complete look at the number of tornadoes by state in 2022, according to the NOAA. [2]
What state has the most tornadoes on average?
Since 1997, Texas has averaged 135 tornadoes per year — the highest of any other state in the U.S., according to our analysis of data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). [3] It’s followed by Kansas with 91 annual tornadoes and Oklahoma with 75 twisters per year.
As you can see in the map above, the majority of tornadoes are concentrated in states throughout the Midwest and Southeast.
Of the average 1,375 tornadoes that occur in the U.S. each year, 75% of them form in states located in Tornado Alley and Dixie Alley — two regions with a disproportionately high number of tornadoes due to ideal twister-forming weather conditions that persist for long stretches of the year.
Tornadoes by state over the last 25 years
Here’s a complete breakdown of the average number of tornadoes per year in each state over the last 25 years.
Top 10 states with the most tornadoes
Here are the top 10 states with the most tornadoes annually over the last 25 years:
Why the term “Tornado Alley” may be a thing of the past
While it’s no secret that states like Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska experience a lot of tornadoes, meteorologists report the term “Tornado Alley” may be outdated. That’s because in recent years, the most destructive tornadoes have actually shifted east with more twisters happening in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and other Southern states. Experts fear that continuing to use the term “Tornado Alley” will leave many Americans outside these historically tornado-prone areas grossly underestimating their risk of experiencing a dangerous twister.
Does home insurance cover tornado damage?
Homeowners insurance covers tornado damage caused by wind and hail, fallen trees, and wind-driven rain. However, water damage from flooding that occurs during a twister would not be covered under your standard home insurance policy — you’ll need separate flood insurance for that.
The one exception is if you live in an area at high risk for wind damage — your home insurance policy might exclude coverage for wind and hail. In this case, you’ll need to purchase a separate wind-only policy to fill that coverage gap.
Struggling to find coverage? Check out your state’s FAIR Plan
If you live in a tornado-prone area and you’re unable to find homeowners insurance due to your home’s high risk, our experts recommend looking into your state’s Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan.
This type of homeowners insurance is run at a state level, but funded by private insurance companies, and is generally more expensive and more limited than normal homeowners insurance. FAIR Plans are a last-resort option for homes that don’t qualify for a standard policy. You can also combine FAIR Plan coverage with a difference in conditions (DIC) policy to fill in any coverage gaps.
Do I need to pay a separate deductible for tornado damage?
Depending on your state and insurance company, you may have to pay a separate deductible on losses caused by wind and hail damage thanks to your separate windstorm insurance policy. Known as a wind/hail deductible, it can either be a flat-dollar amount or a percentage of your home’s dwelling coverage limit — usually between 1% and 5%.
You choose your deductible when you purchase your home insurance or windstorm insurance policy. A higher deductible leads to lower insurance rates, and vice versa.
Frequently asked questions
What states don’t have tornadoes?
Alaska, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. rarely see tornadoes — they averaged zero tornadoes annually over the last 25 years, according to our analysis of NOAA data.
What states are in Tornado Alley?
States that were traditionally in Tornado Alley include South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas, according to the NOAA.
However, climatologists have since seen a shift in tornadoes to the Southeast and identified what they call the new Tornado Alley that consists of Eastern Texas and Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and parts of Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.
How often do tornadoes happen in Maine?
Maine homeowners experienced an average of two tornadoes per year between 1997 and 2022, according to our analysis of NOAA data.
What states have the most tornadoes?
