In early May 2007, a significant tornado outbreak affected the Central United States. Over a three-day period from May 4–6, a total of 132 tornadoes touched down across seven states. Collectively, the tornadoes killed 14 people, injured 90, and left behind $264.7 million in damage. The most destructive events took place on May 4 when an intense supercell thunderstorm produced a family of 22 tornadoes in central Kansas, one of which inflicted EF5 damage across the small town of Greensburg (with a population of around 1,500). Approximately 95 percent of the town was damaged or destroyed and 11 people died. The scale of destruction led to the near-complete reconstruction of the town.

The event was precipitated by a nearly stationary upper-level trough along the Utah–Nevada border with three surface boundaries extending across Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. A dry line formed over Kansas, Texas, and the Oklahoma Panhandle late on May 4 and became the focal point for extensive severe thunderstorm development. Conditions the following day remained exceptionally favorable for discrete supercell thunderstorm activity with ample instability and strong wind shear favoring long-lived tornadic storms alongside the potential for large hail. The likelihood of widespread severe weather prompted the issuance of a high-risk convective outlook from the Storm Prediction Center. Activity was as expansive and prolific as forecast, with 92 tornadoes touching down across the country on May 5. Twenty-five tornadoes touched down across South Dakota on May 5, including one EF3 tornado and five EF2 tornadoes. Activity subsided on May 6, with only brief, weak tornadoes over rural areas in the Plains region. This resulted from more resilient caps inhibiting thunderstorm development and from the upper-level trough shifting east and weakening.

Confirmed tornadoes

May 4 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, May 4, 2007EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateCoord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax width EF1SW of ArnettEllisOK23:21–23:45A barn, an outhouse, and farm equipment were destroyed west of Arnett; the adjacent home had its windows blown out. Many trees and power lines were downed along the tornado's path. EF0ENE of ArnettEllisOK23:45A brief tornado damaged trees and power lines. EF1W of EmeryHansonSD00:55–00:58One home, a barn, and power lines suffered damage. EF0ENE of Deer TrailArapahoeCO01:00A trained spotter observed a tornado over open country. EF0SE of GaylordSmithKS01:20A brief tornado lofted a center pivot irrigation system. EF0E of FarmerHansonSD01:21–01:22Brief tornado with no damage. EF0N of SitkaClarkKS01:32–01:45 See section on this tornado family – This was one of two simultaneous tornadoes over open country in Clark County; no damage occurred. These were the first tornado produced by the prolific supercell that ultimately spawned the EF5 Greensburg tornado. EF0E of SitkaClarkKS01:34–01:39 See section on this tornado family – This was the second of two simultaneous tornadoes over open country in Clark County; no damage occurred. EF0NNW of ProtectionComancheKS01:48–01:52See section on this tornado family – This tornado succeeded the two Clark County events and also remained over open fields. EF1NNE of SitkaClarkKS01:50–01:56See section on this tornado family – One barn was damaged by a tornado that otherwise remained over open fields. EF5NNW of Coldwater to GreensburgComanche, KiowaKS02:00–03:05 12 deaths – See article on this tornado – This massive, extremely powerful and catastrophic tornado passed through the heart of Greensburg with estimated winds of , "[wiping the town] off the face of the earth". Eleven people were killed, including a few in their basements after being buried under debris. A total of 1,484 structures were impacted by the tornado, of which 961 were destroyed, with monetary losses reaching $250 million. The tornado left behind an estimated 800,000 yd3 (600,000 m3) of debris. Law enforcement officers and military personnel from across the country assisted in relief efforts, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided tens of millions of dollars in aid. In the ten years following the tornado, the town was rebuilt as a green community, ultimately having the most Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications per capita in the nation and all of its power supplied by wind energy. Federal agencies provided $120 million for the reconstruction process. There were 63 injuries from this tornado. EF1NNW of ColdwaterComanche, KiowaKS02:08–02:12See section on this tornado family – This was a satellite tornado of the EF5 Greensburg tornado event. Some damage to trees occurred. EF0SSE of MullinvilleKiowaKS02:18–02:19See section on this tornado family – This was a satellite tornado of the EF5 Greensburg tornado event; no damage occurred. EF0S of JoyKiowaKS02:18–02:20See section on this tornado family – This was a satellite tornado of the EF5 Greensburg tornado event; no damage occurred. EF0S of Greensburg (1st tornado)KiowaKS02:24–02:27See section on this tornado family – This was a satellite tornado of the EF5 Greensburg tornado event; no damage occurred. EF0S of Greensburg (2nd tornado)KiowaKS02:25–02:26See section on this tornado family – This was an anticyclonic satellite tornado of the EF5 Greensburg tornado event; no damage occurred. EF1SSE of Greensburg (1st tornado)KiowaKS02:55–02:59See section on this tornado family – This was one of a pair of satellite tornadoes to the EF5 Greensburg tornado that occurred along US 54. It some damage to trees and power lines. EF0SSE of Greensburg (2nd tornado)KiowaKS02:55–02:56 See section on this tornado family – This was one of a pair of satellite tornadoes to the EF5 Greensburg tornado that occurred along US 54. This one not impact anything before being absorbed into the preceding tornado. EF3N of Greensburg to Trousdale to SSW of BelpreKiowa, EdwardsKS03:03–04:08See section on this tornado family – This immense tornado formed as the EF5 Greensburg event circled north of the town and dissipated. Multiple farms sustained extensive damage. A combine harvester was hurled more than before "[disintegrating] upon impact". Many irrigation pivot systems and trees were impacted. Dozens of livestock were killed and one person was injured; damage is estimated at $1.5 million. At its peak width, the broader circulation of the tornado aloft reached in diameter. EF3NNW of Wellsford to Hopewell to SSW of MacksvilleKiowa, Edwards, Pratt, StaffordKS03:39–04:371 death – See section on this tornado family – Trees and irrigation pivots were damaged in Kiowa and Edwards Counties. Within Pratt County, the tornado grew dramatically and intensified, completely levelling one home. A man was killed in his home when the walls collapsed on him in the basement. In Stafford County, farms sustained extensive damage and a grain cart was thrown , being destroyed in the process. One home was swept from its foundation. Several heads of cattle and local wildlife were killed along the tornado's path. Two people were injured. EF1WSW of PhillipsburgPhillipsKS04:20–04:30A small tornado occurred within a broader area of damaging straight-line winds. A few homes sustained roof and window damage and trees were uprooted. EF3S of Macksville to NNE of Quivira National Wildlife RefugeStaffordKS04:34–04:581 death – See section on this tornado family – As the 03:39 UTC EF3 tornado dissipated near Macksville, another tornado developed south of the city. A police officer observing the former tornado was caught unaware in his car; the vehicle was thrown , leaving him with fatal injuries. More than a dozen farms sustained extensive damage, especially to machinery and irrigation pivots, while many trees were snapped or uprooted.

May 5 event