Emergency Services / Homeland Security

Nature's Most Violent Storm

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, they are found most frequently in the United States. In an average year 1,200 tornadoes cause 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries nationwide.

Additional Information

National Weather Service Brochure (pdf)

Information about tornados, thunderstorms, lightning and other severe weather.