United States (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A devastating tornado that struck eastern North Dakota in June 2025 has been officially upgraded to an EF5, marking the first tornado of such intensity in the US since 2013. The tornado caused three fatalities and extensive damage, with wind speeds exceeding 210 mph.
EF5 Tornado Confirmed After Detailed Analysis
On Monday, October 6, 2025, meteorologists from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Grand Forks, North Dakota, confirmed that the tornado moving through Enderlin and Alice on June 20 qualified as an EF5 tornado the highest rating on the Enhanced Fujita scale. As reported by CNN’s Allison Chinchar and CBS News correspondent Jennifer McDermott, this storms ends a 12-year EF5 drought in the United States, with only 60 such tornadoes recorded nationwide since 1950.
Originally classified as an EF3 with estimated winds of 160 mph, further extensive forensic damage analysis uncovered clear evidence of winds surpassing 210 mph. This reclassification came after collaborative work between the NWS, the Northern Tornadoes Project, and independent scientists who validated severe damage indicators including a freight train tipped off its tracks, tree debarking, and a farmstead swept clean off its foundation.
Path, Duration, and Impact of the Tornado
The tornado touched down near Enderlin, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Fargo, and travelled north for around 12 miles, dissipating near Alice, North Dakota. The twister lasted about 19 minutes, from approximately 11:02 p.m. to 11:21 p.m.
According to Reuters and Fox 9 News reporter Leon Purvis, the tornado tragically killed two men and a woman. It overturned several fully loaded grain cars and tossed an empty tanker car nearly 475 feet, highlighting the extraordinary wind force. Trees were uprooted with root balls and heavily sandpapered, while multiple buildings, including farms, were demolished or swept completely away.
Understanding EF5 Tornadoes and Their Rarity
EF5 tornadoes are characterised by wind speeds greater than 200 mph and cause incredible devastation. Since systematic record-keeping began in 1950, only 60 such tornadoes have been verified in the United States. According to meteorologist Melinda Beerends, who leads the NWS Grand Forks office, the combination of necessary damage indicators and an EF5-scale wind event makes such tornadoes extremely rare. “It’s hard sometimes to get tornadoes to hit something where they can be rated EF5,” she explained to the Associated Press.
The previous EF5 tornado in the US struck Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2013, killing 24 people and damaging thousands of structures. The Enderlin tornado breaks the longest span on record without experiencing an EF5-class tornado, a period that came to be known among weather experts as the “EF-5 Drought.”
Meteorological Context and Wider Storm Activity
The EF5 tornado was part of a severe storm system including numerous other tornadoes and a damaging derecho that swept across North Dakota and northern Minnesota on the night of June 20. The storm event generated wind gusts exceeding 100 mph, compounding the destruction.
Videos and imagery captured by residents and local news crews show the tornado swirling ominously as it cut through the rural landscape. Emergency responders faced significant challenges due to the extent of devastation and the overnight timing.
Scientific Methods for Re-Evaluation of Tornado Intensity
The upgrade from EF3 to EF5 resulted from new forensic damage assessments, including detailed surveys of the freight train displacement, structural failures, and vegetation damage. Radar velocity data also supported the revision, indicating extreme wind speeds beyond the initial estimates. Experts from the Northern Tornadoes Project collaborated closely with the NWS to ensure accuracy.
The tornado’s peak width was about 1.05 miles (1,850 yards), which is unusually large and contributed to widespread damage.
Community and Emergency Response
Local officials and residents continue to recover from the severe impact of the tornado. The deaths and property destruction have deeply affected the North Dakota community. Emergency management agencies have reviewed response efforts to glean lessons for future disaster preparedness.
Looking Ahead
This EF5 designation highlights the critical importance of tornado awareness, advanced warning systems, and building resilience in vulnerable communities. Researchers continue monitoring changing tornado patterns amid climate variability to understand if tornado frequency or intensity trends are shifting.
The Enderlin EF5 tornado stands as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the ongoing risks faced by communities in Tornado Alley and beyond.
