Tornado History

Missouri Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for Missouri. The local dataset contains 3,087 tornado records from 1950 through 2026, with a strongest listed rating of F5 (Incredible damage) and at least $7.0B in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is May 18, 2026. Across these records, NOAA lists 429 deaths and 4,580 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes3,087
Total Deaths429
Total Injuries4,580
Property Damage$7.0B
Avg Length3.9 mi
Avg Width134 yd

Key Tornado Facts for Missouri

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

Average 40.1 tornadoes per year (62.6/yr in last decade)
May is the peak tornado month with 834 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: EF5 in Missouri with 161 deaths
2006 was the most active year with 143 tornadoes
The 2000s had the most tornado activity (674 events)
Longest tornado: 59 miles in Missouri
Widest tornado: 1,800.0 yards in Missouri
Most tornadoes in one day: 64 on Mar 12, 2006

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 Missouri, May is the most active month with 834 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

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

14396480

Summary: 2006 was the most active year with 143 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
EF4
F5
EF5
Unknown
EFU

Summary: F1 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 722 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.

$3.1B$305.9M$30.6M$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 2011 with at least $3.1B in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

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

Greene
St. Louis
Newton
Jasper
Howell
Jackson
Scott
Cape Girardeau
Barry
Stoddard
Butler
Christian
St. Charles
Jefferson
Callaway
Pettis
Texas
Cass
Webster
Douglas

Summary: Greene County has the highest count in this state group with 58 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

EF5 May 22, 20112011F5 May 20, 19571957EF4 April 22, 20112011EF4 May 10, 20082008F4 May 4, 20032003F4 May 4, 20032003F4 April 24, 20022002F4 February 10, 19591959F4 February 10, 19591959F4 January 24, 19671967F4 April 24, 19751975F4 April 22, 19811981F4 April 22, 19811981F4 April 2, 19821982F4 April 2, 1982F4 November 29, 1991F4 November 29, 1991F4 April 24, 2002F4 May 4, 2003EF4 February 28, 2017F4 September 22, 2006F4 March 21, 1952F4 December 21, 1967F4 December 21, 1967F4 January 24, 1967F4 June 22, 1969F4 June 22, 1969F4 June 22, 1969F4 June 22, 1969F4 April 23, 1975F4 April 23, 1975F4 April 23, 1975F4 May 4, 1977F4 May 4, 1977F4 May 4, 1977F4 May 4, 1977F4 December 24, 1982F4 December 24, 1982F4 June 7, 1984EF4 December 10, 2021F4 May 29, 2004F4 April 5, 1954F4 April 3, 1956F4 February 24, 1956F4 May 21, 1957F4 September 26, 1959F4 May 7, 1961F4 May 7, 1961F4 May 7, 1961F4 April 21, 1967F4 June 12, 1970F4 April 21, 1973F4 April 21, 1973F4 May 4, 2003F4 March 25, 1954F4 March 25, 1954F4 April 19, 1973F4 April 20, 1973F4 May 4, 1977F4 May 4, 1977F4 April 24, 1975F4 March 29, 1979F4 April 22, 1981F4 May 29, 2004F4 May 29, 2004F4 March 12, 2006EF3 May 22, 2019EF3 December 31, 2010F3 April 2, 2006F3 March 12, 2006EF3 May 31, 2013F3 May 4, 2003F3 May 4, 2003F3 May 21, 1957F3 May 21, 1957F3 May 21, 1957F3 December 21, 1967F3 May 4, 1977F3 May 4, 1977F3 May 12, 1980© OpenStreetMap contributors
This map covers the wider location—not your exact property.Measure the closest recorded track to a street address in or near Missouri.
Measure distance free

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
May 22, 2011EF5Jasper, Missouri8.8 mi1600 yd1611,150$2.8B
May 20, 1957F5Jackson, Missouri12.6 mi440 yd37176$2.5M
April 22, 2011EF4St. Louis, Missouri15.39 mi880 yd05$250.0M
May 10, 2008EF4Newton, Missouri30.89 mi1760 yd14200$35.0M
May 4, 2003F4Platte, Missouri5 mi500 yd00$32.0M
May 4, 2003F4Clay, Missouri5 mi200 yd013$31.0M
April 24, 2002F4Butler, Missouri20 mi650 yd014$30.0M
February 10, 1959F4St. Louis (c), Missouri7.7 mi200 yd11175$25.0M
February 10, 1959F4St. Louis, Missouri16.2 mi200 yd10170$25.0M
January 24, 1967F4St. Louis, Missouri25 mi200 yd3216$25.0M
April 24, 1975F4Newton, Missouri6.5 mi500 yd322$25.0M
April 2, 1982F4Howell, Missouri14 mi500 yd228$25.0M
Did any of these records occur near a property you care about?Use an exact street address for a property-centered preview around Missouri.
Check a Missouri address

Top County Pages

Top Location Pages

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.

Terms · Privacy