Tornadoes in 1989
The Storm Prediction Center recorded 856 tornadoes in 1989, against an average of 967 a year from 1950 to 2025. They killed 50 people and injured 1,270. The busiest month was June (252), and the busiest single day was 24 May 1989, with 31.
- 856tornadoes
- 50deaths
- 1,270injuries
- 31on the busiest day (24 May 1989)
Tornadoes in 1989 were rated on the Fujita (F) scale. Counts of weak tornadoes in particular depend on how many were spotted and reported, which has changed over the decades, so compare years with care.
How strong were the tornadoes of 1989?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 369 | 43% |
| F1 / EF1 | 364 | 43% |
| F2 / EF2 | 102 | 12% |
| F3 / EF3 | 10 | 1% |
| F4 / EF4 | 11 | 1% |
| F5 / EF5 | 0 | 0% |
| Unknown rating | 0 | 0% |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 14 |
| Feb | 18 |
| Mar | 43 |
| Apr | 82 |
| May | 231 |
| Jun | 252 |
| Jul | 59 |
| Aug | 36 |
| Sep | 31 |
| Oct | 30 |
| Nov | 57 |
| Dec | 3 |
Deadliest tornadoes of 1989
- Huntsville, Alabama tornado15 November 1989, F4, 21 deaths, 463 injuries, 18.5 miles long
- Kiryas Joel, New York tornado16 November 1989, F1, 9 deaths, 18 injuries, 9.1 miles long
- Belwood, North Carolina tornado5 May 1989, F4, 4 deaths, 52 injuries, 14 miles long
Strongest tornadoes of 1989
- Huntsville, Alabama tornado15 November 1989, F4, 21 deaths, 463 injuries, 18.5 miles long
- Belwood, North Carolina tornado5 May 1989, F4, 4 deaths, 52 injuries, 14 miles long
- Chesnee, South Carolina tornado5 May 1989, F4, 2 deaths, 35 injuries, 15 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.