1

Tri-State tornado

Image: Greg Johnson

In 1925, the Tri-State Tornado carved a path of destruction across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. With winds exceeding 300 mph, it remains the deadliest tornado in U.S. history, claiming more than 700 lives and leaving thousands homeless.

This record-breaking F5 tornado—classified as such by modern standards—traveled over 200 miles in just three and a half hours, leveling entire towns. Its unprecedented speed and longevity exposed the limitations of early warning systems, prompting significant advancements in tornado research and forecasting.

2

The Dust Bowl

Image: Sophia Simoes

The 1930s Dust Bowl was a man-made disaster exacerbated by a severe drought across the Great Plains. Decades of over-plowing and unsustainable farming practices had left the farmland highly vulnerable to erosion.

When the drought struck, winds swept loose soil into colossal clouds that darkened cities and devastated remaining crops. These massive dust storms, known as "Black Blizzards," choked the skies and forced thousands of families to abandon their homes . Eventually, the disaster led to significant agricultural reforms under the New Deal.

3

Lake Michigan's seiche wave

Image: Silas Baisch

On the morning of June 26, 1954, a 10-foot-high seiche wave crashed onto the Chicago shoreline , sweeping away eight people and injuring many others. But what exactly is a "seiche wave"?

According to researchers, seiche waves are large, sudden standing waves that form in enclosed bodies of water due to extreme atmospheric changes, such as abrupt shifts in air pressure or strong winds. This rare event shocked the Midwest and prompted scientists to study lake oscillations and their connection to storm systems.

4

Great Alaska earthquake

Image: Joris Beugels

In 1964, Alaska was struck by a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 9.2, making it the most powerful ever recorded in North America and the second most powerful worldwide. Lasting four minutes and thirty-eight seconds, the earthquake triggered massive tsunamis and landslides across the state, along with significant geographic changes —some coastlines sank while others rose dramatically.

The destruction it caused led to major updates in seismic safety protocols and infrastructure standards throughout the U.S. This event emphasized the need for better preparedness and stricter building codes , to handle similar future events, especially in earthquake-prone areas.

5

Hurricane Katrina

Image: NASA

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, claiming more than 1,300 lives and leaving millions homeless, sparking an urgent humanitarian crisis. The storm caused an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest hurricanes in history , tied with Hurricane Harvey in the Atlantic basin.

Katrina exposed critical flaws in the region's levee systems and emergency response efforts, prompting widespread criticism and driving essential reforms in disaster preparedness and infrastructure.

6

The Peshtigo firestorm

Image: Tim Mossholder

On the same day as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, a catastrophic firestorm near the small town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, scorched approximately 1.2 million acres, making it the deadliest wildfire in recorded history . The uncontrolled blaze claimed over 1,500 lives, though the exact number of fatalities remains uncertain.

Since 1883, there has been speculation that the simultaneous outbreaks of major fires across Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, including the Peshtigo and Chicago fires, were not coincidental but caused by burning fragments from Biela's Comet . However, this theory remains unproven.

7

Superstorm Sandy

Image: Matt Hardy

Nicknamed "Superstorm" by the media, Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the Caribbean and the coastal Mid-Atlantic region of the United States in late October 2012. While it affected 24 states, the most severe damage was concentrated in New Jersey and New York .

The storm caused an estimated $70 billion in damages, flooding New York City's subway system and displacing thousands of residents. It also ignited a nationwide debate about the role of man-made climate change in amplifying the intensity of seasonal storms.

8

Death Valley heatwave

Image: Johannes Plenio

Death Valley recorded the world’s hottest temperature —134°F—in 1913. A testament to America’s climatic extremes, the region’s unique topography traps heat, effectively turning it into a natural furnace.

While the record remains a point of fascination for meteorologists and tourists alike, some recent researchers have challenged the accuracy of the 1913 measurement. Regardless, the region has come close to this temperature in recent years, indicating that a new record-breaking summer may be in the cards.

9

The Great Blizzard of 1888

Image: Jan Canty

The "White Hurricane" of 1888 buried the Northeast under as much as 55 inches of snow, crippling major cities and resulting in over 400 fatalities. Railroads were shut down, and many residents were confined to their homes for up to a week.

As one of the most severe blizzards in American history , the storm compelled New York City to bury power lines and redesign its transportation systems to better withstand future extreme weather events.

10

Mount St. Helens eruption

Image: Tetiana Grypachevska

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington, triggering massive landslides and pyroclastic flows, killing 57 people and causing over $1.1 billion in damages. The violent blast also reduced the mountain’s height by more than 1,300 feet and sent a plume of ash 80,000 feet into the atmosphere, disrupting air travel for weeks.

This volcanic event, the first in the contiguous United States since the much smaller 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak in California, is considered one of the most disastrous volcanic eruptions in U.S. history. Its aftermath raised awareness of volcanic hazards and underscored the importance of geological research in the country.

1

Frying Pan Road

Image: Ashwini Chaudhary(Monty)

As we discuss our first entry on the list, we must prepare you for the incoming spoonful of roads and streets named after various things, starting with the namesake one. There is a suburb in Hendon, Virginia with a community named Fryin Pan that dates back to at least the 1700s. However, in the 1890s, they changed the name to Floris. The original name has remained as a road.

2

Chicken Dinner Road

Image: Karyna Panchenko

Believe it or not, there is a road in Idaho called Chicken Dinner. According to the main story, the origin of the name lies with a resident who lobbied the governor to improve the road outside her house. Laura Lamb was known for her chicken, and when a couple of vandals painted the words "Lamb's Chicken Dinner Avenue" on the freshly oiled road, they inadvertently christened the street with the name that is known today.

3

Bad Route Road

Image: Markus Spiske

While the name doesn’t sound very enticing, a trip down this residential Montana street may not be as bad an idea as it sounds. This street possibly received its unfortunate name from Bad Route Creek, an offshoot of the Yellowstone River. The creek's name itself may have originated from the difficult conditions and the challenges faced by early explorers and settlers in the region.

4

Psycho Path

Image: Jorge Salvador

It was voted as the nation’s wackiest street name, and for good reason. Psycho Path is a small private road in Traverse City, Michigan . Owners of private roads can register whatever name they choose with the local authorities. We prefer to think that the owner of this road is not a particularly dangerous person but rather someone with a sense of humor.

5

Alcohol Mary Road

Image: Timothé Durand

A memorable street named, indeed—Alcohol Mary Road in Greenwood, Maine, is named after a local woman who was known for producing alcohol during the Prohibition years. To the residents, it symbolizes the town's spirit of independence.

The Hertell family, who lives on the road and has a family matriarch named Mary, has grown tired of fielding questions about whether their beloved grandmother was an outlaw.

6

Zzyzx Road

Image: Diego Jimenez

Sounds like "Six Six," but it’s not spelled in the same way. Not only is there a town in Southern California named Zzyzx, but there is also a street that leads to the town.

According to the story, Curtis Howe Springer created the name Zzyzx and gave it to the area in 1944, claiming it to be the last word in the English language.

7

Five Forks Trickum Road

Image: Prayag Tejwani

There is a road in Gwinnett County, Georgia , named Five Forks Trickum Road, which has only four forks. The reason for this is simple: in decades past, it once had a five-fork intersection.

As for the "Trickum" part, local lore suggests that this comes from a shop owner who once lived there, and often swindled customers out of their money.

8

Liquid Laughter Lane

Image: Surface

A poetic image if we ever heard one, Liquid Laughter Lane is a real street in Columbia, Maryland . When the local community was planned, names for the streets were needed and the team in charge of coming up with these names resorted to statistics, demographics, and geographical locations, among common elements. But they also took inspiration from things like literature and poetry, which helped them come up with beautiful names like Liquid Laughter Lane.

9

Pig’s Eye Lake Road

Image: Fabian Blank

Pig’s Eye Lake Road is a nod to an actual person named Pierre "Pig’s Eye" Parrent (nicknamed as such because he had only one eye), who played an important role in the history of St. Paul and Minnesota . He established a tavern that served as a meeting place for traders and settlers, making it a focal point in the community.

Today, Pig's Eye Lake Road continues to serve as a reminder of the area's history and the colorful characters who contributed to its development.

10

Ninth and a Half Street

Image: Nick Hillier

Since the second part of an address is typically a number, it is advisable to name the first part with a word rather than another number; however, there are exceptions. Ninth and a Half Street runs along the north-south boundary between what used to be Old Nebraska City and South Nebraska City (which now make up Nebraska City).

If you are wondering where this name came from, it has to do with the fact that the city was formed from three preexisting cities, and when they went to rename the streets of the newly formed city, the numbers didn’t quite line up.

1

Bodie, California

Image: Michael & Diane Weidner

This former gold-mining hub in the Sierra Nevada once boasted nearly 10,000 residents, dozens of saloons, and a reputation for being one of the wildest towns in the West. Today, it's preserved in a state of "arrested decay," meaning the buildings are maintained exactly as they were found, complete with dishes still on tables and goods still on store shelves .

The California State Parks system manages Bodie, which means it's well-maintained but authentically eerie. About 200 buildings still stand, including a church, schoolhouse, and that infamous red-light district (though considerably quieter now).

2

Jerome, Arizona

Image: Strange Happenings

Perched impossibly on Cleopatra Hill in central Arizona, Jerome has pulled off the ultimate comeback story. This former copper mining town was literally sliding down the mountain in the 1950s, but instead of becoming a pile of rubble at the bottom, it reinvented itself as an artist colony and tourist destination. Today, it's one of the few ghost towns where you can actually spend the night, grab dinner, and browse art galleries .

The town's steep streets are lined with buildings that seem to defy gravity, and many claim the place is seriously haunted: the Jerome Grand Hotel, a former hospital, supposedly has particularly active spirits. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you'll definitely believe in the impressive engineering it took to build a town on a 30-degree slope.

3

Rhyolite, Nevada

Image: Dino Reichmuth

In 1905, this place exploded from nothing to a town of 5,000 people in just two years, complete with electric lights, a stock exchange, and even an opera house. Then the financial panic of 1907 hit, the mines proved less profitable than hoped, and by 1916, the lights went out for good.

What makes Rhyolite especially photogenic are the ruins themselves—massive concrete structures and the famous Bottle House, built entirely from beer and liquor bottles . The three-story bank building and the remnants of the jail are particularly impressive, showing just how convinced everyone was that this town would last forever.

4

St. Elmo, Colorado

Image: Arturo Rivera

Tucked in the Sawatch Range at 10,000 feet, St. Elmo is Colorado's best-preserved ghost town and one of the most visited. Founded in 1880 as a mining and rail hub, it once had a population of 2,000 people and all the amenities a Victorian-era miner could want.

What really sets St. Elmo apart is accessibility and atmosphere. It's an easy drive from nearby towns, and during the summer months, a few seasonal residents actually run the general store, selling snacks and souvenirs .

5

Bannack, Montana

Image: Donald Merrill

Montana's first territorial capital, Bannack, sprang up in 1862 after gold was discovered in Grasshopper Creek. Within a year, it had 3,000 residents and a serious problem with road agents (fancy term for bandits). The town's sheriff, Henry Plummer, turned out to be secretly leading the gang of robbers—one of the West's great scandals. After Plummer was hanged by vigilantes in 1864, Bannack settled down, but eventually, the gold ran out, and so did the people. The last residents left in the 1970s.

Now a well-preserved state park, Bannack features over 60 structures you can explore, including the hotel, church, schoolhouse, and Plummer's old jail . They even host a popular "Bannack Days" event each July with period costumes, demonstrations, and activities.

6

Grafton, Utah

Image: Arturo Rivera

This tiny Mormon settlement near Zion National Park has been featured in dozens of movies and commercials, most famously in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Founded in 1859, Grafton struggled with flooding from the Virgin River, conflicts with Native Americans, and general isolation. By 1944, the last resident had left, but unlike many ghost towns, Grafton's buildings were later restored and maintained by preservation groups.

Today, only a handful of structures remain—a schoolhouse, a church, and a few cabins—but they're set against absolutely spectacular red rock canyon scenery . The Grafton Cemetery, still maintained by descendants, sits on a hill with jaw-dropping views. It's free to visit, though donations are encouraged for preservation efforts.

7

Terlingua, Texas

Image: Glen Carrie

Once a thriving mercury mining town with 2,000 residents, it collapsed in the 1940s when the mines closed. Today, it's home to about 60 full-time residents, plus a rotating cast of artists, wanderers, and people who just couldn't handle civilization anymore.

The original townsite features impressive ruins of the Chisos Mining Company headquarters, a crumbling movie theater, and a cemetery with elaborate Mexican grave decorations . But the real attraction is the eccentric present-day community that's grown up around the ruins. You can stay in unique lodgings, eat at the famous Starlight Theatre, and experience some of the darkest night skies in the continental US.

8

Garnet, Montana

Image: Natalie Nicks

Located deep in Montana's mountains about 35 miles from Missoula, this gold mining town boomed in the 1890s with about 1,000 residents. The last 11 miles are on a rough dirt road that's impassable in winter, but that difficulty is exactly why Garnet remains so well-preserved and authentic. Casual tourists don't make the trek, which means you'll likely share the site with only serious ghost town enthusiasts.

About 30 buildings still stand, including the surprisingly intact Kelly's Saloon, complete with bar and furnishings . The Bureau of Land Management maintains the site and even offers rustic cabin rentals if you want to spend the night.

9

Centralia, Pennsylvania

Image: Megs Harrison

This isn't a Wild West mining town—it's a modern ghost town with an underground coal fire that's been burning since 1962 and could continue for another 250 years. At its peak, Centralia had over 1,000 residents. Today, fewer than five people remain in what's become one of America's most surreal abandoned places. The fire releases toxic gases through cracks in the ground, and the heat has buckled roads into impossible angles.

The most famous feature is the graffiti-covered section of abandoned Route 61, where smoke sometimes rises through cracks in the pavement . Most buildings have been demolished, but the street grid remains, marked by empty lots and crumbling foundations. It inspired the video game and film "Silent Hill," and it's easy to see why—the place feels genuinely otherworldly. Technically, Centralia is off-limits, and Pennsylvania has tried to discourage visitors due to safety concerns about the underground fire.

10

Calico, California

Image: Volodymyr Hotsyk

Founded in 1881 after a major silver strike, it boomed to 1,200 residents before the silver price crash killed it in the 1890s. Unlike other ghost towns on this list, Calico was reconstructed and restored as a theme-park-style attraction in the 1950s by Walter Knott.

Today, Calico is a San Bernardino County park with restored buildings, shops, restaurants, and even staged gunfights on weekends . You can tour a genuine silver mine, pan for "gold" (spoiler: you'll find some), and ride a narrow-gauge railroad. About half the buildings are original, and half are reconstructions, giving you the ghost town experience without the sadness of actual decay.