2011 Joplin tornado
The tornado initially touched down just east of the Missouri-Kansas state line near the end of 32nd Street at 5:34 pm CDT (22:34 UTC) and tracked due east, downing a few trees at EF0 intensity. Eyewitnesses and storm chasers reported multiple vortices rotating around the parent circulation in that area. Civil defense sirens sounded in Joplin 20 minutes before the tornado struck in response to a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service, but many Joplin residents didn't heed them. The tornado strengthened to EF1 intensity as it continued through rural areas towards Joplin, snapping trees and power poles and damaging outbuildings. Widening, the tornado then tracked into the more densely populated southwest corner of the city near the Twin Hills Country Club. It heavily damaged several homes at a subdivision in this area at EF1 to EF2 strength. The tornado continued to strengthen as it ripped through another subdivision just east of Iron Gates Rd. Numerous homes were destroyed at EF2 to EF3 strength at that location, and multiple vehicles were tossed around, some of which were thrown on or rolled into homes.
The now massive wedge tornado then crossed S. Schifferdecker Ave., producing its first area of EF4 damage as several small but well-built commercial buildings were flattened. Consistent EF4 to EF5 damage was noted east of S Schifferdecker Ave and continued through most of southern Joplin. Numerous homes, businesses, and medical buildings were flattened in this area, with concrete walls collapsed and crushed into the foundations. A large steel-reinforced step and floor structure leading to a completely destroyed medical building was "deflected upward several inches and cracked". Steel trusses from some of the buildings were "rolled up like paper", and deformation/twisting of the main support beams was noted. Multiple vehicles were thrown and mangled or wrapped around trees nearby. Several 300-pound concrete parking stops anchored with rebar were torn from a parking lot in this area and were thrown up to 60 yards away. Iowa State University wind engineer Parka Sarkar was able to calculate the force needed to remove the parking stops and found that winds exceeding 200 mph were needed to tear them from the parking lot.
Upper Great Lakes severe weather outbreak of August 23, 1998
The Door County Tornado is the 8th most costly tornado in Wisconsin history, casing an estimated $6.5 million in damages. The tornado first touched down over water as a waterspout but moved onshore in Door County, causing significant property and crop damage. Murphy County Park was the very first place on land to be impacted by the tornado. The southern part of the park received the most substantial damage with 99%+ of all trees and shrubs in the area being uprooted or destroyed. As the tornado moved across the peninsula it caused F2 and F3 damage to structures. In total 20 residential buildings, two businesses and multiple barns were destroyed by the tornado. A campground known as the Door County Kamping Resort saw some of the tornadoes worst impacts. 40 campers hid in a brick shower building while the F3 tornado moved over the camp, because of this only two injuries were reported. A nearby hotel and antique shop known as Cornerstone Suites was also completely destroyed by the tornado. Although there were very few injuries with the tornado, the storm knocked out power to most of the peninsula. Due to the lack of power most tourist attractions in the area were not able to provide for their customers. Chief deputy Gary Bies of the Door County Sheriff's Department said of the event, "People are sitting in motels with nothing to do. No restaurants; everything is closed." By late on the Monday after the storm most power was returned to the area.