July 2025 has proven to be one of the most active and destructive mid-summer tornado periods in recent history. Fueled by the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal, clusters of severe storms have brought confirmed tornadoes, widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and life-threatening conditions across the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest United States.

North Carolina: Four Tornadoes Confirmed Across Central Counties

Emergency responders from the NC Department of Public Safety described scenes of devastation in Lee and Alamance counties as “consistent with EF-2 damage.” Multiple residents recounted harrowing moments of sheltering in bathrooms or closets. “We heard the sirens and grabbed the kids,” said Amanda Reyes of Sanford. “The wind ripped through like a train. Our neighbor’s roof flew off.”

According to the NWS Raleigh Office, storm surveys determined peak winds reached 125 mph in Snow Camp. Local schools were closed for two days due to debris blocking access roads and power outages. FEMA teams arrived in Chatham County within 48 hours to begin assessments for federal aid.

The National Weather Service confirmed four tornadoes struck central North Carolina on July 6–7. WRAL reports that two hangars at the Raleigh Executive Jetport in Sanford were damaged. No injuries were reported, but dozens of families were displaced.

• Snow Camp & Mebane (Alamance County): Mobile homes were destroyed. WFMY News confirmed two tornado paths with wind speeds exceeding 100 mph.
• Moncure & Pittsboro (Chatham County): Homes suffered roof losses and major treefall.
• Orange County (Mebane): Trees were uprooted and structures damaged near Heartpine Drive.

CBS17 reported over $10 million in total damages. No fatalities occurred, but over 43 roads were blocked by debris or washed out by flash flooding.

New York: Finger Lakes and Ontario County Impacted

In Phelps, New York, resident Mark Thomason described the moment the storm hit: “I was finishing chores in the barn. Suddenly everything went dark and the wind just screamed.” Several structures along Route 14 lost roofs, and the fire department responded to six calls for trapped individuals in damaged garages and outbuildings. 13WHAM reported that initial NWS damage assessments suggest EF-1 intensity.

Residents in Romulus and Phelps, NY witnessed powerful funnel clouds and hail as storms swept through the region on July 7. 13WHAM confirmed downed trees and barns. In Phelps, residents reported roofs torn from homes and power outages. WHEC documented debris scattered across roadways.

Colorado: Tornado Confirmed Near Morgan County

Farmers in Morgan County say they’ve “never seen winds move like that.” County Commissioner Lisa Hawthorne confirmed 11 barns were leveled and miles of fencing were lost. “It’s going to be a hard harvest,” she said. Livestock losses were minimal thanks to early alerts by NOAA’s weather radio network. Some families sheltered in cellars, but several expressed interest in reinforced safe rooms for future storms.

CBS News Colorado reported a tornado touched down near Brush on July 6, disrupting flights and damaging farmland. Structures such as grain bins and rural fencing were destroyed. Winds were estimated at 110 mph.

North Dakota: Twin Tornadoes Strike Red River Valley

“It dropped out of nowhere,” said Daniel Bekkum of Calio, who was inspecting grain bins when the twister struck. “We got to the cellar just in time.” The tornado carved a path across two miles of farmland, tossing debris across Highway 5. Cavalier County Emergency Services confirmed widespread utility disruptions. Crop insurance agents were deployed en masse to assess soybean field losses.

Valley News Live confirmed two tornadoes touched down in Ramsey and Cavalier Counties. The first near Calio damaged silos, while a second in the evening led to rural highway closures. No injuries were reported, though local farms estimate $1 million in crop loss.

Missouri: St. Louis Continues Recovery from May Tornado

Dozens of families remain displaced nearly two months after the EF3 tornado swept across southern St. Louis County. At a recent City Hall event, affected business owner Sharon Watkins told St. Louis Argus: “We’ve lost everything—our salon, our inventory, even client records. FEMA’s been helpful, but long-term housing is still a struggle.”

While not a July event, the aftermath of the May 16 EF3 tornado continues to affect hundreds of Missouri residents. According to Kentucky Living, six tornadoes statewide killed 20 people. St. Louis Argus notes ongoing FEMA assistance and temporary school relocations.

Canada: Ontario Border Tornado Warnings

Although no tornado was confirmed, local officials emphasized the seriousness of the threat. “We urge residents to always take shelter warnings seriously,” said Dave Phillips, senior climatologist at Environment Canada. “These conditions can escalate fast.” Kemptville residents posted dramatic videos of hail and rotating clouds on social media. Schools sheltered in place for over 30 minutes during the peak alert.

Environment Canada issued warnings across Kemptville and Ottawa on July 7. CityNews Ottawa documented intense wind gusts and funnel cloud formations, though no tornado confirmations were issued by the end of the storm.

US Safe Room: The Need for In-Home Storm Protection

These severe weather events underscore the urgent need for personal safety measures. US Safe Room provides FEMA P-361 and ICC-500 compliant tornado shelters designed for garages, basements, and exterior pads.

• Solid-Weld Steel and Modular Bolt-Together Options
• Vault-Level EF-5 Rated Safe Doors
• Ventilation, battery backup lighting, and ADA access

Learn more at US Safe Room.