On this day May 31, 1985, one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in North American history struck parts of the United States and Canada. A series of powerful tornadoes tore through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, leaving widespread devastation and claiming the lives of 76 people. More than 1,000 others were injured, and entire communities were flattened in a matter of minutes.
The outbreak produced 41 confirmed tornadoes in the U.S. and 13 in Ontario, Canada. The strongest tornado reached F5 intensity in Pennsylvania, making it one of the rare instances of such a powerful tornado in that region. The storms caused an estimated 600 million dollars in damage, making it the most destructive tornado outbreak ever to affect Pennsylvania and one of the worst in Canadian history.
Fun fact: This was the last recorded F5 tornado to strike the northeastern United States, and it remains one of the most studied outbreaks in meteorological history.
The outbreak produced 41 confirmed tornadoes in the U.S. and 13 in Ontario, Canada. The strongest tornado reached F5 intensity in Pennsylvania, making it one of the rare instances of such a powerful tornado in that region. The storms caused an estimated 600 million dollars in damage, making it the most destructive tornado outbreak ever to affect Pennsylvania and one of the worst in Canadian history.
Fun fact: This was the last recorded F5 tornado to strike the northeastern United States, and it remains one of the most studied outbreaks in meteorological history.
