Andover, Kansas F5 Tornado (26 April 1991) – Wind Speed 260 mph

The violent tornado that devastated Andover on 26 April 1991 was rated F5 on the Fujita scale, with estimated wind speeds of 260 mph (418 km/h)—the highest ever recorded in Kansas.

Event Summary

• Path length: ~45 mi; max width: ~800 yd.
• 17 fatalities, 225 injuries.
• Over 300 homes destroyed; $200 M+ damage (1991 USD).
• Part of the massive Plains outbreak (55 tornadoes that day).

Scale Note

F5 (original Fujita) = 261‑318 mph. The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale (2007+) caps EF5 at >200 mph; this tornado would likely be rated EF5 today.