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Tornadoes are among the most dangerous and unpredictable natural phenomena on the planet. They can destroy entire towns within minutes, leaving a trail of devastation and numerous casualties in their wake. In this article, we will explore five of the largest and most powerful tornadoes in history, which have become symbols of nature’s fury and left an unforgettable mark on global meteorology.

1. El Reno Tornado
   The 2013 tornado in El Reno is considered the widest tornado ever recorded. However, according to some sources, the Mulhall Tornado may have been even larger. At its peak, the massive El Reno tornado reached a width of 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles) and wind speeds of up to 484 km/h (301 mph). Despite its intensity, it was rated only as an F3. The El Reno tornado lasted about 40 minutes, and by the time it dissipated, eight people had died—all in their vehicles. Three of them were experienced storm chasers. In addition to the fatalities, over 150 people were injured.
2. Mulhall Tornado
   Depending on the source, the Mulhall Tornado is also a contender for the title of the largest tornado ever recorded. Estimates of its peak width range from over 2.4 to 7 kilometers (1.5 to 4.3 miles). Like all tornadoes on this list, the Mulhall Tornado caused significant damage. Every building in the town of Mulhall suffered some degree of destruction. Remarkably, only one resident sustained serious injuries.
   
3. Daulatpur–Saturia Tornado
   One of the deadliest tornadoes in history occurred on April 26, 1989, in Manikganj District, Bangladesh. The disaster claimed around 1,300 lives. Estimates of the funnel width vary from 1.5 to 2.5 kilometers (0.9 to 1.6 miles), with wind speeds ranging from 181 to 350 km/h (113 to 217 mph). The towns of Daulatpur and Saturia suffered the most damage, which is why the tornado bears their names. In addition to the 1,300 deaths, approximately 12,000 people were injured, and 80,000 were left homeless.
4. Moore Tornado
   This tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2013. Wind speeds inside the funnel reached up to 320 km/h (200 mph), with a diameter of about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles). The powerful tornado left a 27-kilometer (17-mile) path of destruction. Among the damaged structures were two schools in session and a hospital. Casualty reports from three cities vary—some sources cite over 90 deaths, while others list 24 (the discrepancy is attributed to initial chaos and multiple counts of the same victims). More than 230 people were injured.
   

5. Joplin Tornado
A powerful storm struck the town of Joplin, about 220 kilometers (137 miles) south of Kansas City, Missouri. At least 89 people lost their lives. The tornado began at 5:41 PM local time and lasted for 32 minutes. Rated EF5, the tornado had wind speeds exceeding 320 km/h (200 mph) and a funnel width of approximately 1.6 kilometers (1 mile).