SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — A new study uses information reported by the National Centers for Environmental Information, including the number of tornadoes per 1,000 square miles and the number of direct and indirect deaths, to calculate the top 10 most deadly states for tornadoes.
The study was conducted by Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, personal injury attorneys who examined statewide data that was obtained from Janary 2019 until May 2024. Only tornadoes rated EF2 and above, with wind speeds of more than 111 mph, were calculated in the study’s figures.
The study found that Mississippi was the worst state for twisters, with 13 tornadoes per 1,000 square miles and 41 direct and indirect deaths and 428 direct injuries resulting from the tornadoes. Mississippi had a total of 96 EF2 or stronger tornadoes between 2019 and May 2024.
The top five states that are safest from tornadoes are Hawaii, Alaska, Maine, Nevada and Utah.
Arkansas ranked second worst in the nation, with seven direct and indirect deaths from tornadoes between 2019 and 2024. Thirty-six Arkansas tornadoes were rated at EF2 or higher. There were 155 direct injuries and seven direct and indirect deaths.
Louisiana ranked 7th on the list with 15 direct and indirect deaths and a total of 45 EF2 or stronger tornadoes from 2019 through May 2024.
Where does Texas rank on the list? Not among the top 10 most dangerous, despite typically seeing more tornadoes.
Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa, South Carolina and Ohio also made the top 10 list.
Mike Montesi, managing partner at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, said that 2024 has been the worst year for severe active weather since 2011. There were more than 1000 tornadoes across the nation in just the first half of the year.
“Mississippi, Arkansas, and Georgia have been named the most dangerous,” he said. “It’s interesting to note that Texas has not been named among the worst states. Despite typically seeing more tornadoes than other states, with 686 being recorded from January 2019 to May 2024, Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S. Therefore, the events taking place are more spread out per 1,000 square miles and EF2 twisters are fewer per 100,000 people.”
To learn how to stay safe during a tornado, visit ready.gov/tornadoes