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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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The deadly tornado that struck Enderlin, North Dakota, in June has been classified as an extremely rare EF-5 storm, the first to hit the United States in 12 years.
Why It Matters
After a tornado strikes, the NWS conducts a survey to determine the storm's strength by analyzing the damage and determining if a tornado actually touched down.
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Originally, National Weather Service meteorologists classified the storm as a high-end EF-3, NWS meteorologist in charge Melinda Beerends told Newsweek. However, after examining the storm's extreme damage, in which it derailed 33 train cars and threw one over 475 feet, NWS recategorized the storm.
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When Did the Tornado Strike North Dakota?
The tornado struck rural Enderlin, North Dakota, as part of a tornado outbreak on June 20, 2025.
Enderlin Tornado Damage: How Deadly Was the Tornado?
Three people were killed during the tornado outbreak that spawned the EF-5 storm. Beerends said 22 tornadoes touched down during the outbreak.
What Is the Enhanced Fujita Scale and What Is an EF-5 Rating?
Tornadoes are ranked on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale based on the severity of damage caused by the storm. EF-5 tornadoes, the most severe classification, are extremely rare. An EF-5 tornado is strong enough to sweep homes away and cause severe structural damage to high-rise buildings.
The Enderlin tornado was preliminarily classified as an EF-3 storm, but was recently categorized even higher, as an EF-5. Peak winds likely exceeded 200 mph, Valley News Live reported.
When Was the Last EF-5 Tornado in the U.S.?
The last EF-5 tornado to strike the U.S. occurred in Moore, Oklahoma, in 2013. More than 20 people were killed by the May storm.
This is the first EF-5 storm to hit North Dakota since 1957.
What People Are Saying
NWS meteorologist in charge Melinda Beerends told Newsweek: "[A tornado's] rating [can be] determined in a week. But others like this that don't have the typical type of damage indicator can take much longer for additional analysis."
Social media personality Max Velocity in a post on X: "BREAKING: The EF-5 drought is officially over. EF-5 tornado has been confirmed from the June 20th, 2025, derecho and tornado outbreak. This is the first time since 2013 that we’ve had an EF-5 tornado. This tornado happened near Enderlin, North Dakota, which was on the ground from 18 minutes and resulted in 3 deaths."
What Happens Next
People in tornado-prone areas are encouraged to remain vigilant during severe thunderstorms and follow the advice of local weather officials.
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