It 's not yet official , but forecasters suspect tornadoes caused 16 deaths 1950 . Arkansas has the highest number of tornadoes in the world -- 1,200 per year . The strongest tornadoes are ranked EF5 , with gusts over 17 miles , winds called `` incredible '' Only 59 EF5 storms have hit the U.S. since Sunday ; U.S. has been spared so far .
It 's not yet official , but forecasters suspect tornadoes caused 16 deaths Sunday . The United States has the highest number of tornadoes in the world -- 1,200 per year . The strongest tornadoes are ranked EF5 , with gusts over 200 mph , winds called `` incredible '' Only 59 EF5 storms have hit the U.S. since 1950 ; Arkansas has been spared so far .