This post summarizes and interprets the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmation that the devastating June 2025 tornado which struck Enderlin, North Dakota, reached EF-5 intensity.
It places the finding in context, reviews the forensic evidence that led investigators to upgrade the rating, and highlights the broader storm system—a powerful derecho—that produced extreme winds across the region.
What the NWS found and why it matters
The NWS team from Grand Forks concluded that the Enderlin tornado produced winds in excess of 210 mph, meeting the criteria for an EF-5 classification.
This is the first EF-5 tornado documented in the United States in more than 12 years, the previous event being the May 20, 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado.
Investigators reached this conclusion after detailed forensic analysis of structural failures, vegetation damage and other debris signatures.
The decision followed an initial assessment that rated the tornado as at least EF-3 before the upgrade based on additional evidence and field measurements.
Forensic evidence supporting the EF-5 rating
The upgrade to EF-5 is grounded in multiple lines of physical evidence collected on the ground.
In a severe tornado, investigators look for extreme indicators that go well beyond typical destructive patterns.
In Enderlin, several such indicators were present:
Storm size, path and human impact
The tornado carved a roughly mile-wide path and traveled about 12 miles through the landscape, producing catastrophic damage along its track.
Three people lost their lives when the tornado struck the rural community of Enderlin, underscoring the human toll of such extreme events.
This tornado was not an isolated phenomenon but part of a larger derecho that crossed North Dakota and western Minnesota on June 20–21, 2025.
The system produced widespread sustained winds over 100 mph, compounding the destructive potential and affecting communities across a broad region.
Documenting the aftermath and lessons for resilience
Visual documentation from journalists and meteorologists, including FOX Weather correspondent Robert Ray, recorded the extensive destruction and helped communicate the scale of the catastrophe to the public.
High-quality documentation and rapid forensic assessment are critical for accurate ratings and for informing future building practices and emergency planning.
There are practical implications for communities, emergency managers and engineers:
Final thoughts
The Enderlin EF-5 confirmation is both a scientific determination and a sober reminder of nature’s capacity for destruction.
While EF-5 events are rare, this case emphasizes the need for continued investment in meteorological research, resilient infrastructure and community preparedness.
Here is the source article for this story: Deadly North Dakota twister marks country’s first EF-5 tornado in more than 12 years