Tornado History

Arkansas Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for Arkansas. The local dataset contains 2,551 tornado records from 1950 through 2026, with a strongest listed rating of F4 (Devastating damage) and at least $3.6B in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is April 28, 2026. Across these records, NOAA lists 411 deaths and 5,568 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes2,551
Total Deaths411
Total Injuries5,568
Property Damage$3.6B
Avg Length5.2 mi
Avg Width231 yd

Key Tornado Facts for Arkansas

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 33.1 tornadoes per year (46.3/yr in last decade)
April is the peak tornado month with 597 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: F4 in Arkansas with 50 deaths
1999 was the most active year with 140 tornadoes
The 2000s had the most tornado activity (575 events)
Longest tornado: 92.6 miles in Arkansas
Widest tornado: 3,200.0 yards in Arkansas
Most tornadoes in one day: 74 on Jan 21, 1999

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In Arkansas, April is the most active month with 597 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

14094470

Summary: 1999 was the most active year with 140 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
EF4
Unknown
EFU

Summary: F1 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 538 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$369.7M$37.0M$3.7M$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 2008 with at least $369.7M in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

Pulaski
Lonoke
White
Benton
Faulkner
Jackson
Mississippi
Saline
Craighead
Washington
Arkansas
Poinsett
Union
Ashley
Chicot
Sebastian
Independence
Crawford
Conway
Garland

Summary: Pulaski County has the highest count in this state group with 103 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

EF4 April 27, 20142014F4 March 1, 19971997F4 March 1, 19971997EF4 February 5, 20082008F4 April 10, 19651965F4 March 28, 19751975F4 March 15, 19841984F4 March 15, 19841984F4 March 15, 19841984F4 March 15, 19841984F4 March 15, 19841984F4 March 15, 19841984F4 March 15, 19841984F4 March 1, 19971997EF4 February 5, 2008F4 April 14, 1996F4 March 21, 1952F4 March 21, 1952F4 May 15, 1968F4 April 19, 1968F4 April 2, 1982F4 April 2, 1982F4 April 2, 1982F4 April 14, 1996F4 March 1, 1997EF4 May 24, 2011F4 January 21, 1999F4 April 16, 1998F4 March 21, 1952F4 March 21, 1952F4 April 3, 1968F4 December 24, 1982F4 December 24, 1982F4 March 21, 1952F4 December 19, 1957F4 December 19, 1957F4 May 15, 1968F4 May 15, 1968F4 May 15, 1968F4 May 26, 1973F4 May 26, 1973F4 May 26, 1973F4 May 26, 1973F4 March 1, 1997EF3 March 28, 2020F3 April 21, 1996EF3 March 31, 2023EF3 April 9, 2009EF3 March 31, 2023EF3 May 10, 2008EF3 February 24, 2007EF3 February 5, 2008F3 June 6, 1974F3 March 29, 1976F3 April 8, 1979F3 December 2, 1982F3 December 2, 1982F3 December 2, 1982F3 December 23, 1982F3 April 3, 1984F3 April 3, 1984F3 November 18, 1985F3 November 18, 1985F3 December 14, 1987F3 April 2, 2006EF3 April 25, 2011EF3 March 30, 2022EF3 February 5, 2008EF3 May 24, 2011EF3 April 27, 2014EF3 February 5, 2008EF3 February 5, 2008EF3 May 2, 2008EF3 May 26, 2024F3 April 2, 2006F3 March 12, 2006F3 November 27, 2005EF3 April 30, 2010EF3 April 2, 2025EF3 April 9, 2009© OpenStreetMap contributors
This map covers the wider location—not your exact property.Measure the closest recorded track to a street address in or near Arkansas.
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Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
April 27, 2014EF4Faulkner, Arkansas24.24 mi1320 yd12167$210.0M
March 1, 1997F4Clark, Arkansas27 mi1056 yd6100$120.0M
March 1, 1997F4Pulaski, Arkansas11 mi1408 yd5180$50.0M
February 5, 2008EF4Stone, Arkansas23.45 mi1320 yd17$29.0M
March 1, 1997F4Saline, Arkansas14 mi1408 yd1040$25.0M
March 28, 1975F4Bradley, Arkansas5.4 mi250 yd751$25.0M
April 10, 1965F4Faulkner, Arkansas4.7 mi200 yd6200$25.0M
March 15, 1984F4Poinsett, Arkansas3 mi440 yd512$25.0M
March 15, 1984F4Cleburne, Arkansas23 mi440 yd210$25.0M
March 15, 1984F4Van Buren, Arkansas8 mi440 yd00$25.0M
March 15, 1984F4Independence, Arkansas5 mi440 yd03$25.0M
March 15, 1984F4Independence, Arkansas5 mi440 yd00$25.0M
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Source And Limits

Data sourced from NOAA Storm Prediction Center and the NCEI Storm Events Database. TornadoTrace summarizes reported weather events for screening and research; it is not a damage assessment, inspection, or insurance determination. Coordinates and records can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. No warranty of completeness or accuracy.

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