Salt Lake City, UT – Residents and officials are remembering the devastating tornado that tore through the Salt Lake City metro area 26 years ago, an event that remains the most destructive tornado in Utah history.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service Salt Lake City, the F2 tornado struck on Aug. 11, 1999, with winds between 113 and 157 mph, cutting a swath more than 1.5 miles long and 100 yards wide through the city. The storm touched down at 12:45 p.m. MDT and remained on the ground for about 14 minutes.
The tornado resulted in one death and injured 80 others. Officials reported that approximately 300 buildings and houses were damaged, with 34 rendered uninhabitable. Significant tree loss was recorded, and total damage estimates reached roughly $170 million.
Meteorologists note that tornadoes are rare in Utah, making the 1999 storm an important reminder that the state is not immune to severe weather threats. The National Weather Service is urging residents to have emergency plans in place and to stay alert when severe weather warnings are issued.
Maps from the event show the tornado’s path stretching from the western side of Salt Lake City through downtown and into the Capitol Hill neighborhood before dissipating. Damage zones included areas of light, moderate, and considerable destruction.
For more information on tornado preparedness and details on the 1999 Salt Lake City tornado, the National Weather Service recommends visiting weather.gov/safety/tornado and weather.gov/slc/SLC_Tornado.
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