Most damage in a tornado is caused by the extremely fast winds.
tornado alley
The greatest amount of damage in a tornado is caused by extremely strong winds. Additional damage is from flying debris.
The most destructive tornado in history was the Joplin, Missouri tornado of May 22, 2011 with $2.8 billion in damage. It was also one of the deadliest U.S. tornadoes with 162 fatalities.
The tornado that cause the most damage on record touched down on May 22, 2011. It struck Joplin, Missouri causing $2.8 billion in damage.
The eye of a tornado itself most likely does not do damage as radar analysis and eyewitness testimony show that they eye of a tornado is calm like the eye of a hurricane. The wind and debris surrounding the eye is what causes damage.
The most destructive tornado in Ohio history was the Xenia tornado of April 3, 1974. This F5 tornado killed 34 people and caused $439 million in property damage (in 2011 U.S. dollars).
The most famous tornado today is most likely the Oklahoma City tornado of May 3, 1999. That tornado caused approximately $1 billion in damage.
In terms of the cost of damage, the most destructive tornado on record struck Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011. The cost of damage totaled $2.8 billion.
tsunami
The costliest tornado on record was the Joplin, Missouri tornado of May 22, 2011 with a cost of damage at $2.8 billion.
A strong enough tornado will cause damage to most things that happen to be in its path.
Tornado damage is mostly the result of powerful winds. Tornadic winds can easily exceed 100 mph and have been recorded in excess of 300 mph. The force of such wind can damage if not destroy buildings and trees.