Depending on where you live, tornadoes can be a significant concern. According to data from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there were 1,423 tornadoes in 2023, up from 1,240 in 2022. Not only did the number of tornadoes increase, but the storms also became more deadly. The same report recorded 83 tornado-related deaths in 2023, more than three times the number of fatalities in 2022.
If you live in a tornado-prone state, you’re likely familiar with the basics of tornado preparation: securing windows, trimming trees, and checking your roof. However, ensuring your home insurance policy provides adequate coverage is equally important. By confirming your policy covers tornado damage, you can be better prepared to weather the storm.
The worst states for tornadoes ranked
A tornado typically forms after a thunderstorm when warm, humid air inside the thunderclouds rises while cooler air descends. This interaction creates a spinning column of air that, when oriented vertically, becomes a tornado. Tornado strength is measured on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, which assesses three-second wind gusts and the damage they cause. EF0 storms have wind gusts as low as 65 mph, while EF5 tornadoes can exceed wind speeds of 200 mph.
Tornadoes are not evenly distributed across the country; some states are far more susceptible to tornado damage than others. In 2023, Illinois, Alabama, Colorado, and Texas experienced the most tornado activity.
What are the 10 worst states for tornadoes?
The table below ranks the states most prone to tornadoes and compares the average cost of home insurance in these states to the national average of $2,230 per year for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage.
| State | Number of tornadoes in 2023 | Average cost of home insurance for a $300K dwelling policy | Difference from national average cost of home insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 136 | $2,189 | -$41 |
| Alabama | 101 | $2,745 | +$515 |
| Colorado | 89 | $3,124 | +$894 |
| Texas | 89 | $3,726 | +$1,496 |
| Mississippi | 81 | $2,820 | +$590 |
| Nebraska | 81 | $5,249 | +$3,019 |
| Iowa | 73 | $2,012 | -$218 |
| Georgia | 58 | $1,945 | -$285 |
| Ohio | 56 | $1,188 | -$1,042 |
| Tennessee | 53 | $2,410 | +$180 |
Among the top 10 states with the highest tornado risk, six have home insurance costs that exceed the national average. These higher costs may be linked to the increased likelihood of tornado damage, but other factors also play a role. Additional natural disasters impacting a state can influence home insurance premiums, along with state-specific insurance regulations.
The states with the fewest tornadoes
While tornadoes occur in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., several states experience minimal tornadic activity in an average season. In 2023, the following states recorded no tornadoes:
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
Additionally, these states recorded three or fewer tornadoes last year:
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Maryland
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- Oregon
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
Despite these states typically experiencing few tornadoes on average, each season varies. Even states considered to have low tornado risk can face severe convective storms that produce tornadoes and result in extensive property damage.
Which states are in Tornado Alley?
Tornado Alley traditionally refers to states in the Great Plains, such as Kansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska, with the northern tip of Texas also included. This region typically experiences an above-average number of tornadoes annually.
However, residing outside of Tornado Alley does not guarantee immunity from tornadoes. Dixie Alley, spanning parts of the southern United States, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and parts of Kentucky, also sees significant tornado activity.
It’s important to note that Tornado Alley and Dixie Alley are informal terms, not official meteorological designations. Tornadoes can occur and cause damage outside of these regions as well. For instance, the Midwest has observed an increase in tornado occurrences. Studies by the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) indicate a rising trend in tornado frequency from 1979 to 2017, particularly in states like Illinois and Indiana. Another study published in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology highlights heightened tornado activity in both the Midwest and Southeast.
The NSSL further explains that tornado hotspots can shift throughout the year. In cooler months, the Southeast experiences more tornadoes, whereas the risk shifts to the South and Central United States in the spring. During the summer, the Northern Plains and Midwest face an increased tornado risk.
Does homeowners insurance cover tornadoes?
Home insurance typically covers tornado damage to your home’s structure, outbuildings, and personal belongings, including damage from fallen trees blown onto your property during storms. However, coverage can vary significantly among insurers. Some policies may limit or exclude certain storm-related damages.
Residents in high-risk tornado areas, such as certain counties in Texas, might find that wind damage is not automatically covered by their standard home insurance policy. To ensure financial protection against tornado damage, homeowners may need to obtain a separate wind policy or an endorsement. Similarly, in states like Florida, there could be a “named storm” deductible, which applies if the home is damaged by hurricane winds or tropical storms.
In addition to wind damage, tornadoes often accompany intense convective storms that can lead to flooding. It’s important to note that standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Homeowners in flood-prone areas should purchase a separate flood insurance policy to ensure coverage against flood-related losses.
Given the variability in coverage among home insurance policies, it’s wise to review your policy with an insurance professional before tornado season begins. This ensures you understand what is and isn’t covered, and whether additional policies or endorsements are necessary to fully protect your home and belongings.
How home insurance can help you financially recover from a tornado
Your home insurance policy serves as a crucial financial safety net in the aftermath of a natural disaster such as a tornado. By transferring the majority of the financial risk associated with rebuilding or repairing your home to an insurance company, you can avoid the burden of paying for extensive damages entirely out of your own pocket.
According to Shannon Martin, a licensed agent and analyst at Bankrate, safeguarding the financial investment you’ve made in your home may necessitate a review of the types and levels of coverage you currently have in place, especially if you haven’t reviewed your policy recently.
Increasing your dwelling coverage limit may not be financially advantageous for every homeowner. Based on average rate data from Quadrant Information Services, opting for a policy with a $350,000 dwelling limit typically results in an additional cost of approximately $260 per year compared to a policy with a $300,000 limit. Depending on your insurer, an alternative could be purchasing an extended dwelling replacement endorsement instead of raising your coverage limits outright. This endorsement enables you to augment your dwelling coverage limit by a specified percentage, usually ranging from 10 to 30 percent, offering enhanced financial protection in case of significant damage or a complete loss.
Prepping your home for tornadoes
Ensuring your home insurance covers tornado damage is crucial, but there are proactive steps you can take before and after a storm to minimize risk and potential damage. Here are some tips to physically safeguard your home and belongings in preparation for a natural disaster, especially if you reside in a tornado-prone area:
- Reinforce your garage with vertical bracing.
- Install hurricane clips to secure your roof.
- Use plywood and clips to fortify windows.
- Remove overhanging branches and trees that could potentially fall on your roof.
- Store important documents in waterproof containers in a secure location.
- Consider investing in a storm-proof safe room for added protection.
These preparations can significantly mitigate damage in the event of a disaster. If the worst occurs, having a comprehensive home inventory—including “before” photos of valuable items and both the interior and exterior of your home—can be invaluable when filing a property insurance claim. Store this inventory securely online or on a flash drive in a waterproof container to ensure it remains accessible.