The places Where Tornadoes Hit Most Often

By Evan Comen  •  June 1, 2026
a large tornado is coming down the road
Photo by Greg Johnson on Unsplash

Tornadoes are a uniquely American threat, with the U.S. experiencing more twisters each year than any other country on Earth. As climate change continues, tornado season is extending later into the year and into new regions, putting more and more Americans at risk of severe weather.

While the Great Plains have long been known as “Tornado Alley,” in recent years the epicenter of tornado activity has shifted. In recent years, large swaths of the Southeast – now known as “Dixie Alley” – have consistently ranked among the worst-hit parts of the country. Due to a high concentration of mobile homes and an overall lack of preparedness, tornadoes in the Southeast can be particularly deadly.

And while some parts of the country remain relatively insulated from tornado threats, dozens of counties have experienced more than 100 significant storms in the last 75 years. The places with the most tornado activity since 1950 are now a mix of traditional Tornado Alley hotspots and the new Dixie Alley counties. A closer look at the data reveals the counties where tornadoes hit the most often.

To determine the counties where tornadoes are most common, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on historical tornado events from the NOAA. Counties were ranked based on the number of recorded tornado events within their borders from 1950 to 2024.

A powerful tornado and vibrant lightning striking over a rural countryside landscape.
Photo by Ralph W. lambrecht on Pexels

10. Elbert County, CO

  • No. tornado events, 1950-2024: 140 storms
  • Worst tornado event, 1950-2024: June 6, 1990 storm (EF3 magnitude storm)
  • Total population: 27,152
  • County seat: Kiowa

9. Hillsborough County, FL

  • No. tornado events, 1950-2024: 142 storms
  • Worst tornado event, 1950-2024: January 9, 1953 storm (EF2 magnitude storm)
  • Total population: 1,489,634
  • County seat: Tampa

8. Pinellas County, FL

  • No. tornado events, 1950-2024: 150 storms
  • Worst tornado event, 1950-2024: April 4, 1966 storm (EF4 magnitude storm)
  • Total population: 960,565
  • County seat: Clearwater

7. Miami-Dade County, FL

  • No. tornado events, 1950-2024: 150 storms
  • Worst tornado event, 1950-2024: June 17, 1959 storm (EF3 magnitude storm)
  • Total population: 2,685,296
  • County seat: Miami

6. Polk County, FL

  • No. tornado events, 1950-2024: 167 storms
  • Worst tornado event, 1950-2024: May 8, 1979 storm (EF2 magnitude storm)
  • Total population: 760,961
  • County seat: Bartow

5. Adams County, CO

  • No. tornado events, 1950-2024: 177 storms
  • Worst tornado event, 1950-2024: June 12, 1982 storm (EF3 magnitude storm)
  • Total population: 524,408
  • County seat: Brighton

4. Palm Beach County, FL

  • No. tornado events, 1950-2024: 195 storms
  • Worst tornado event, 1950-2024: October 19, 1958 storm (EF3 magnitude storm)
  • Total population: 1,507,453
  • County seat: West Palm Beach

3. Washington County, CO

  • No. tornado events, 1950-2024: 227 storms
  • Worst tornado event, 1950-2024: July 21, 1993 storm (EF3 magnitude storm)
  • Total population: 4,839
  • County seat: Akron

2. Harris County, TX

  • No. tornado events, 1950-2024: 244 storms
  • Worst tornado event, 1950-2024: November 21, 1992 storm (EF4 magnitude storm)
  • Total population: 4,758,579
  • County seat: Houston

1. Weld County, CO

  • No. tornado events, 1950-2024: 291 storms
  • Worst tornado event, 1950-2024: May 22, 2008 storm (EF3 magnitude storm)
  • Total population: 340,711
  • County seat: Greeley


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