A massive weather system traversed the country between March 13 and March 17, leaving a trail of death and destruction from hail, dust, wind, floods, tornadoes and wildfires. The Storm Prediction Center issued the unusual warning of a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” stating the system could produce many long-track and violent tornadoes.
Between Friday, March 14 and Sunday, March 16, there were dozens of tornadoes across 12 states that left at least 40 people dead (a statistic that is constantly changing) in seven affected states. At least 12 people died in Missouri, which was hard hit by tornadoes Friday night, including an EF-3.
While the events are currently getting significant media attention, CDP knows from previous experience that tornadoes do not receive as much funding as other natural hazards. Additionally, the large geographic spread of the event means coverage will be diffused and diluted, especially at the national level. It is important for funders to step up and invest in disaster recovery in the many impacted communities.
(Photo: Tornado damage in Cave City, Arkansas, March 2025. Credit: Marc Madama via Matthew 25: Ministries)
Key facts
- More than 100 tornadoes were reported on March 14 and March 15, 2025.
- NOAA says, “Historically, for every 100 preliminary tornado reports, at least 65 tornadoes are confirmed.” CDP often uses preliminary NWS or NOAA/NCEI data because final numbers take significant time. As of March 17, more than 50 tornadoes have been confirmed, including two EF-4 tornadoes in Diaz, Arkansas.
- In the U.S., between January 1 and Feb. 28, 2025, there were 61 confirmed tornadoes.
- At least 42 tornado-related deaths occurred during the storms in mid-March. These included 12 deaths in Missouri, eight deaths in Kansas, six deaths in Mississippi, four deaths in each of Texas and Oklahoma, and three in both Alabama and Arkansas. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has not confirmed any of these yet. Only two tornado-related deaths have been confirmed for this year, and they occurred in Tennessee in February 2025.
March 13-March 17
The weather system that caused the severe weather outlined above began as an atmospheric river in Southern California. On Thursday, March 13, heavy rain triggered several mudslides in California, which trapped people and cars and engulfed a roadway. The same storm system produced a small EF-0 tornado that damaged some homes in Pico Rivera – southeast of Los Angeles. This system also brought four feet of snow to high-elevation areas.
As the system moved east, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas all experienced wildfires linked to hurricane-force winds beginning on March 14. These winds also led to deadly dust storms as visibility decreased on roads and interstates.
In Oklahoma, more than 130 wildfires spread quickly, and Governor Stitt said they burned 200,000 acres in less than two days, causing damage to hundreds of structures. The Office of Emergency Management said the fires damaged least 400 homes in the state (including Stitt’s farmhouse). In Stillwater, 74 homes were destroyed. Stitt declared an emergency in 12 counties because of the fires and weather system.
In Mississippi, 21 counties experienced severe weather events on March 14 and 15, leading to six fatalities, three missing people and 29 injuries. Governor Reeves issued a state of emergency declaration.
Arkansas experienced two nighttime EF-4 tornadoes on March 14. The Diaz tornado was just shy of an EF-5, with winds of 190 mph, while the Larkin tornado had winds of 170 mph.
Tornado facts
- In 2024, there were at least 1,473 confirmed tornado reports, according to data from SPC, with 100 or more tornadoes reported in April, May, June, July and December. This is well above the 20-year U.S. average (from 1991 to 2010) of 1,225. It is the second-highest year on record, behind 2004’s 1,817 tornadoes.
- The United States has not experienced an EF-5 twister since the Moore Tornado in 2013. While most tornadoes (90%) are rated EF-0 or EF-1, they can still cause severe damage to mobile homes and manufactured housing.
- Since 1880, the percentage of fatalities during daytime tornadoes has decreased by 20%, while the percentage of deaths during nighttime tornadoes has increased by the same amount. Nighttime tornadoes kill twice as many people as daytime tornadoes annually.
While there are many immediate needs in the wake of tornadoes, such as temporary housing, child care, automobile replacement, etc., funders should also consider holding back funds in anticipation of the intermediate and long-term needs of the affected communities. CDP will continue to monitor the impact of tornadoes and the needs that may arise.
Immediate needs
Immediate needs include tarping, cleaning and temporary repair of damaged homes and businesses. This includes debris clean-up, which is significant because of the amount of damage and tree felling. Vehicles, personal belongings, appliances and furniture lost in the storms will also need to be replaced.
Rural communities
As tornado alley shifts and storms move closer toward the southeast, more urban areas will be affected. However, many tornadoes also impact rural communities, which will not garner the same attention as urban areas.
Recovery in rural communities can be slower than urban recovery and requires “patient dollars.” Funders must understand that progress will not occur as quickly as in larger, more well-resourced communities. Investments should be made over time: pledges of multi-year funding are very helpful, as is support for operating costs and capacity building.
Funders would, however, be wise to remember that while many rural communities do not have access to the same level of financial assistance as some urban areas, the social fabric and human capital available in more rural communities can be a powerful force multiplier.
Housing
People whose homes were damaged will need support securing new housing that is safe and affordable and/or repairing their damaged homes. After a tornado, displaced residents may face challenges finding housing that meets their needs. Tornadoes affect people from all walks of life, some with insurance and others without.
The destruction of manufactured homes (often called mobile homes) will also affect affordable housing availability in communities. More than 22 million people in the U.S. live in mobile and manufactured homes, which represents an important affordable and accessible housing option for many communities.
Emotional and spiritual care
Emotional and spiritual care will be critical, especially for families of people killed in the storms, first responders and those in the tornadoes’ direct paths. Long-term mental health and trauma support will also be required. Some of the affected communities were impacted by previous events, which has left them with increased trauma from natural hazards.
There is also a severe risk of poor emotional health, suicide or self-harming behaviors among farmers and ranchers after disasters.
Business recovery
Business recovery is always critical to helping communities rebuild. When tornadoes damage or destroy businesses, it negatively impacts people’s livelihoods. Given the higher cost of living and ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, this is particularly challenging for small businesses.
To support tornado recovery efforts, please donate to CDP’s Disaster Recovery Fund and select “US Tornadoes” from the dropdown.
Contact CDP
Philanthropic contributions
If you have questions about donating to the CDP Disaster Recovery Fund, need help with your disaster-giving strategy, or want to share how you’re responding to this disasters, please contact our development team.
(Photo: Tornado damage in Missouri, March 15, 2025. Credit: Missouri State Highway Patrol via X)
Recovery updates
If you are a responding NGO or a donor, please send updates on how you are working on recovery from this disaster to Tanya Gulliver-Garcia.
We welcome the republication of our content. Please credit the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
Philanthropic and government support
Despite emergency declarations in Mississippi, Oklahoma and Arkansas, no federal disaster declarations had been approved as of March 17. Oklahoma received several FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grants, but no individual or public assistance has been provided yet.
Resources
Tornadoes
The National Weather Service defines tornadoes as “a violently rotating column of air touching the ground, usually attached to the base of a thunderstorm.” The U.S. is home to more tornadoes than any other country in the world, with approximately 900 to 1,700 tornadoes occurring a year throughout the country.
Rural Populations
Rural populations often struggle with disaster response and recovery. Explore why.
Long-Term Recovery Groups
A long-term recovery group is a cooperative body that is made up of representatives from faith-based, nonprofit, government, business and other organizations working within a community to assist individuals and families as they recover from disaster.