What were the deadliest years for tornadoes in the U.S.?

The deadliest year for tornado deaths in the U.S. was 1925, when 794 died, many in the infamous Tri-State tornado in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. In more recent years, 1953 was grim, with 519 fatalities. Tornadoes in May and June, 1953 were especially deadly. On 11 May, 114 died in Waco, TX. On June 8, 116 perished in Flint, MI. The next day the weather system spawned a tornado in Worcester, MA, resulting in the loss of 90 more lives. The year with the fewest reported U.S. tornado deaths is 1986, when only 16 citizens perished. What are the longest and shortest tornado paths on record? A tornado on 18 March 1925 was believed to have stayed continuously on the ground for 215 miles. The Great Tri-State tornado swept across portions of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. In 1917 a tornado was reported to have traveled from Missouri to Indiana - a distance of 293 miles - while staying on the ground for seven hours and 20 minutes. But without a detailed damage survey it is difficult to ...  more