Twisted Fury: 20 Images of Tornadoes and Their Aftermath

History March 26, 2025

Tornadoes rank as one of nature’s most horrifying and also unpredictable forces. They possess the capability to level entire towns in literal moments. Even before we reached the age of ultra, high-definition storm chasers, photographers have been around capturing these monstrous forces in striking black-and-white images that only work to enhance their ominous presence.

We put together a collection of these unnerving images, and you’re sure to gain a deepened appreciation for the utter resilience of anyone who has lived through a tornado event.

1. Well, it looks to be a dark and stormy night, indeed.

A massive tornado touches down near a rural road, with debris swirling in the air. On the left, a car drives along the wet road, and on the right, power lines stretch into the distance. A house and barren trees are visible further down the road.
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That car is clearly booking it for the hills.

2. Oklahoma City Tornado, 1898

A black-and-white photo depicts a tornado extending from dark, swirling clouds above a dirt road. One person walks towards it, while another on horseback is heading away. Trees line both sides of the road.
grandmasneighbor

This could go right on a movie poster.

3. The June 13, 1968 tornado that struck Tracy Minnesota is photographed leaving town

A black-and-white image of a tornado touching down in a flat landscape. The funnel extends from dark, swirling storm clouds above to the ground below, with a vast plain stretching into the distance.
anonymous

Seriously though, good riddance.

4. Topeka, Kansas F5 Tornado – June 8, 1966

Black and white image of multiple vintage cars parked near a residential area with two large tornadoes in the background. A person is running in the foreground, with trees and overcast skies adding to the dramatic scene.
susoutthemoon

That guy’s certainly having a rough day at work.

5. Aftermath of an F5 tornado in New Richmond, Wisconsin

A historical photograph shows the aftermath of a disaster in a small town. Buildings are destroyed, debris covers the ground, and people are gathered along the road. The area is surrounded by trees under a clear sky.
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The rebuilding process back then must’ve been devastating.

6. The mile-wide Tornado shortly before it would completely destroy Bridge Creek, Oklahoma

A massive tornado touches down in an open field under a dark, ominous sky. The foreground shows dry grass, while trees line the horizon beneath the storm.
decisionlivid

Yeah, that’s going to be a hard pass on the whole mile-wide tornado business.

7. The Dallas Tornado, April, 1957

Black and white photo of a tornado approaching a city skyline. The tornado is funnel-shaped and descends from a dark, ominous cloud, moving toward several tall buildings, casting a dramatic scene over the urban landscape.
ryansmith

Oh boy, to have been stuck in Dallas that day.

8. Girl and Tornado, Furnas County, 1989

A person stands by the roadside with a large tornado in the background, swirling dust and debris into the sky. The sky is cloudy, and the tornado stretches from the ground into the clouds. The person appears calm, wearing a red top and shorts.
gdisasters

A truly epic shot.

9. Scene of destruction in Waco, Texas, after an F5 tornado hit the city, May 1953

A street scene shows severe storm damage. Bricks and debris cover the pavement. A car is crushed by fallen bricks next to a building with signs for poultry supplies. Rain continues as another car is visible on the street.
jots_

That poor car never stood a chance.

10. The small town of Grand Isle, Nebraska, Destroyed by a tornado, June 1980

A desolate scene shows the aftermath of a natural disaster. Debris is scattered across the ground, with a bare, broken tree and a damaged structure standing amidst the devastation. The sky is overcast, adding to the somber atmosphere.
deleted

Too many towns have been left in utter ruins by tornadoes.

11. June 11, 1915 Tornado that hit near Greensburg, Kansas

A sepia-toned historical photo shows a large tornado funnel cloud over a small town with houses in the foreground. A windmill is visible on the left. The sky appears dark and ominous.
idontwanttoknowsir

Kansas has been in the business of being targeted by tornadoes for far too long.

12. After a category 4 tornado, Barbara Jaggers stands in the remains of her family’s home in northeastern Jefferson County

A black and white image shows three distressed people amid a destroyed home. Debris and torn walls surround them. A woman holds clothes, another covers her face, and a child appears upset, illustrating the chaos and damage of the scene.
goodgriefwhatsnext

Absolute heartbreak written on everyone’s faces.

13. March, 1925. A little boy and his puppy amid the wreckage from a tornado in Murphysboro, Illinois

A young child, bundled in winter clothing, sits amid debris holding a dog. The surroundings are chaotic, with scattered wooden boards and rubble, suggesting a recent disaster or destruction. The child's expression is solemn and calm.
deleted

This poor little boy just broke my heart.

14. A terrifying tornado out in Colorado in 2008.

A narrow tornado funnel descends from a dark, stormy sky between two suburban houses. Debris swirls at the base, near a grassy area, as the wind intensifies. The clouds are ominous, casting a dramatic scene over the neighborhood.
skobberrz

Colorado certainly knows how to pack it on with the extreme weather.

15. This unnerving photo was taken underneath a tornado.

Overhead view of swirling gray clouds forming a vortex, resembling the eye of a storm. The clouds are dense and ominous, giving a dramatic and intense appearance to the sky.
totalberries290

One doesn’t want to get stuck underneath a tornado.

16. Tornado near Tennant, Iowa

A massive tornado looms over a rural road, with dark swirling clouds dominating the sky. The open landscape is desolate, and the imminent storm casts an ominous atmosphere.
twentyyearsinthecan

Now, that’s a dark and rage-fueled tornado if I’ve ever laid eyes on one before.

17. One EF4 is enough, but two EF4s simultaneously is madness.

Two large tornadoes touch down on a green field under a dark, swirling sky. A red truck is visible on a dirt road to the left, highlighting the storm's intensity and size.
fewability7312

There’s way too much neighborly tornado activity going on here.

18. Cat and tornado just hanging out together.

A small dog stands on a dirt road, looking towards a swirling tornado in the distance. The sky is overcast, and trees line the sides of the road, adding to the dramatic scene.
twentyyearsinthecan

The cat honestly seems heroically unperturbed about all of it.

19. A Tornado at 9,000 Feet In the Rocky Mountains

Dark storm clouds form a funnel shape in the sky above a silhouette of a forested hillside. Trees and rocky terrain are visible at the base, with the dramatic weather feature dominating the scene.
myarisbetter

Nobody wants to cross paths with a tornado 9,000 feet up.

20. A tornado bearing down on a Kansas farm.

A large tornado swirls across a flat landscape, kicking up dust and debris. In the foreground, there are silver grain silos. The sky is cloudy, and branches can be seen in the upper right corner.
fitfan8889

Too many Kansas farms have suffered from volatile tornadoes.

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