An EF5 tornado that claimed three lives in North Dakota marks the nation’s first since 2013, sparking local reflection and renewed focus on severe weather readiness.
North Dakota has entered the national spotlight after an EF5 tornado — the most powerful tornado category — struck the state, killing three residents and leaving a path of destruction. The National Weather Service confirmed it as the first EF5 tornado recorded anywhere in the U.S. since 2013.
The tornado tore through McHenry County late last week, with winds surpassing 200 miles per hour — powerful enough to level homes and hurl vehicles. It’s a grim reminder that even in the Upper Midwest, where EF5s are rare, the risk of extreme weather persists.
In Bismarck, roughly 70 miles south of the storm’s center, emergency officials and meteorologists are using the event as a wake-up call. The Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health Department and Burleigh County Emergency Management are encouraging residents to review emergency kits, update weather alert systems, and identify safe shelter spaces.
“Bismarck has been lucky in recent years,” said Sarah Keller, a resident of northeast Bismarck who volunteers with the Burleigh County CERT team. “But preparedness is everything — these storms don’t follow county lines.”
Bismarck residents are no strangers to unpredictable weather. The storm has prompted city officials to review emergency siren systems and community alert protocols. Schools and workplaces are being advised to revisit severe weather drills this month, especially as fall storm systems grow more erratic due to shifting climate patterns.
Local nonprofits like Missouri Slope Areawide United Way and North Dakota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NDVOAD) have begun coordinating relief efforts for families impacted in the tornado zone, with several Bismarck-area churches collecting donations.
While the EF5 tornado may have struck far from the Bismarck city limits, its lessons hit close to home. This event underscores the growing need for year-round readiness — from ensuring that weather radios work to keeping emergency supplies stocked. As North Dakota continues cleanup and reflection, the resilience of its communities remains its strongest defense.
