City-by-city risk
Tornado Alley cities
Every Plains city has been hit by tornadoes. Some more than others. Here is the city-by-city breakdown.
Oklahoma City metro (OKC + Moore)
- Highest per-capita significant tornado risk in US.
- 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore F5.
- 2013 Moore EF5.
- 2013 El Reno EF3 (widest ever).
- Multiple other significant events.
- Well-warned population.
- Strong storm shelter culture.
- Some homes still lack shelters.
- Community aware and prepared.
Wichita KS
- Central Plains chase HQ area.
- 1991 Andover F5.
- 2022 Andover EF3.
- Population 400k+.
- Storm shelter culture.
- Skywarn strong.
- Community awareness high.
Tulsa OK
- Northeast OK.
- Multiple events.
- Population 400k.
- Skywarn active.
- Community aware.
Dallas-Fort Worth metro
- 2000 Fort Worth F2 in downtown.
- 2019 Dallas EF3.
- Multiple other significant events.
- Massive population 8M+.
- Community awareness varies.
- Some risk complacency.
Kansas City metro
- MO + KS border.
- Multiple significant events historically.
- 2019 Linwood EF4.
- Population 2M+.
- Community aware.
- Some suburbs highest risk.
Omaha NE
- Central NE.
- Multiple events.
- Population 500k+.
- Community awareness.
- Skywarn active.
Des Moines IA
- Central IA.
- Multiple events.
- Population 200k.
- Community aware.
- Storm shelter access varies.
Amarillo TX
- Panhandle chase HQ.
- Multiple events.
- Population 200k.
- Community aware.
- Storm shelter access.
- Sparse population outside.
Lubbock TX
- 1970 F5 killed 26.
- Devastating event.
- Population 260k.
- Community memory.
- Storm shelter culture.
Springfield MO
- Southwest MO.
- Ozark region.
- Multiple events.
- Population 170k.
- Community aware.
Little Rock AR
- Central AR.
- Multiple events.
- Population 200k+.
- Community aware.
- Storm shelter access varies.
- Some rural surrounds.
Memphis TN
- Multiple significant events.
- Population 630k.
- Community awareness varies.
- Mobile home density concerns.
Nashville TN
- 2020 March 3 EF3 through metro.
- 25 dead across region.
- Population 700k.
- Post-event community changes.
- Nighttime tornado vulnerability.
Birmingham AL
- Multiple significant events.
- 2011 Tuscaloosa-Birmingham EF4.
- 65 dead across region.
- Population 200k.
- Community aware.
- James Spann broadcasting.
- Community shelter access improving.
Huntsville AL
- Multiple events.
- Community aware.
- Population 200k.
- Storm shelter culture.
Jackson MS
- Central MS.
- Community awareness.
- Mobile home concerns.
- Population 150k.
- Storm shelter access.
Atlanta GA
- Multiple events.
- Some downtown hits historically.
- Population 500k+.
- Metro 6M+.
- Community awareness varies.
- Southeast US risk.
Cities NOT in Tornado Alley but with risk
Nashville
Not "Alley" but repeated deadly tornadoes.
Chicago metro
Occasional but rare.
Indianapolis
Central IN. Some risk.
Louisville
2023 EF2 nearby.
Charlotte
Some risk.
New Orleans
Hurricane-spawned tornadoes.
Miami
Hurricane-spawned tornadoes.
Denver
Front Range but Colorado tornadoes.
Salt Lake City
Rare but recorded.
Cities in Dixie Alley (expanded)
Jackson MS
High Dixie Alley risk.
Birmingham AL
Significant hits historically.
Tuscaloosa AL
2011 EF4.
Nashville TN
2020 event.
Chattanooga TN
Multiple events.
Little Rock AR
Multiple events.
Shreveport LA
Multiple events.
Baton Rouge LA
Some risk.
Memphis TN
Multiple events.
Atlanta GA
Some risk.
Community shelter access by city
Oklahoma City
Community shelter access improving.
Moore
Post-2013 shelter mandates.
Wichita
Community aware.
Amarillo
Community shelter culture.
Dixie Alley cities
Access varies widely.
Rural areas
Often no community shelters.
Mobile home parks
Some shelter access.
For residents deciding where to live
- Every Plains city has risk.
- Basement construction more common in northern cities.
- Storm shelter culture matters.
- Newer construction typically safer.
- Community awareness helps.
- Insurance costs reflect risk.
- Not a reason NOT to live in Plains — preparedness matters.
- Weather radio + WEA + shelter plan sufficient.
For each specific city
- Check your county emergency management.
- Register with 911.
- Community shelter list.
- Neighborhood emergency contacts.
- Family communication plan.
- Regular drills.
- Weather radio in every home.
- Follow local WFO.