ENDERLIN, N.D. — A
tornado
that killed three people this summer in southeast North Dakota has been reclassified EF-5, the most damaging level for a twister.
The June 20 tornado that destroyed at least two homes, damaged other buildings and derailed a train near Enderlin reached speeds that exceeded 210 mph, the National Weather Service announced Monday, Oct. 6. The minimum speed for an EF-5 tornado is 201 mph.
Initially classified as EF-3 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, the Enderlin tornado was one of multiple tornadoes that storms produced June 20. The Enderlin tornado traveled 12 miles and was a mile wide, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service conducted additional survey work in determining whether to reclassify the tornado. EF-5 is the highest rating for a tornado.
The last EF-5 tornado in the U.S. was recorded in 2013 in Moore, Oklahoma. North Dakota has seen two other F5 tornadoes: in 1953 in Fort Rice and in 1957 in Fargo. Twelve people died in the 1957 Fargo tornado, which inspired the creation of Fujita Scale.
The Fujita Scale, which was developed in 1971, changed to the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2007.
The Enderlin tornado killed Michael and Katherine Dehn, both 73, at their home about a mile east of Enderlin on Highway 46, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office said. It also took the life of 89-year-old Marcario Lucio, authorities said.
Enderlin is about 55 miles southwest of Fargo.
April Baumgarten is the Fargo city government reporter. The North Dakota native started her journalism career in 2011 and joined The Forum in February 2019. Readers can reach her at 701-241-5417 or [email protected].
