America's Costliest Tornadoes: Joplin Tops the List
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has ranked the ten most expensive tornadoes in U.S. history, adjusted for inflation to 2023 dollars. Joplin, Missouri, leads the list with $3.79 billion in damages from the May 22, 2011 tornado, which also claimed over 150 lives. Other notable entries include Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Hackleburg, Alabama, both struck during the April 27, 2011 outbreak. The rankings highlight the increasing financial impact of tornadoes due to urban development and property density in high-risk areas. Historical tornadoes, such as the 1896 St. Louis event, may surpass modern records when adjusted for inflation and national wealth growth. 
