Tornado History

Cape Girardeau Tornado History

This county-level tornado history page focuses on Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The records below identify 48 tornadoes from 1952 through 2025, including a highest listed rating of F3 (Severe damage). NOAA damage estimates in this group total at least $18.6M, with 1 deaths and 8 injuries recorded across the listed events.

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48recorded tornadoes
F3 (Severe damage)highest rating
$18.6Mminimum property damage
May 20, 2025latest tornado
12.09 milongest listed path
700 ydwidest listed path

Historical Track Sketch

F3 May 6, 20032003F2 May 24, 19811981EF2 January 11, 20202020F2 April 22, 19551955F2 December 18, 19571957F2 December 18, 19571957F2 March 14, 19711971EF2 May 16, 20252025EF2 February 29, 20122012EF2 February 29, 20122012F2 March 18, 19521952F2 May 21, 19571957F2 April 29, 19631963F2 April 24, 20042004F1 February 13, 1991EF1 January 29, 2013EF1 May 20, 2025EF1 October 31, 2013EF1 January 29, 2013EF1 January 29, 2008EF1 March 8, 2009F1 July 13, 1962F1 December 24, 1982F1 November 9, 1984EF1 May 31, 2018EF1 May 25, 2011F1 May 18, 1966EF1 April 5, 2023F1 June 2, 1973F1 July 25, 1988F1 May 6, 2003F1 May 6, 2003EF1 March 23, 2012F0 November 14, 1993EF0 April 9, 2015F0 November 9, 2002EF0 April 19, 2011F0 April 15, 1998EF0 March 23, 2012EF0 May 8, 2024EF0 April 9, 2015F0 May 25, 1994EF0 April 2, 2024F0 May 29, 1970EF0 May 23, 2011F0 October 24, 1967F0 May 7, 1973F0 June 26, 2000© OpenStreetMap contributors

Rating Breakdown

  • F3 (Severe damage)1
  • F2 (Considerable damage)9
  • EF2 (Considerable damage)4
  • F1 (Moderate damage)9
  • EF1 (Moderate damage)10
  • F0 (Light damage)8
  • EF0 (Light damage)7

Most Active Years

  • 20124
  • 19573
  • 20033
  • 20113
  • 20133
  • 19732
  • 20152
  • 20242

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 6, 2003F3Cape Girardeau, Missouri2 mi50 yd02$12.0M
May 24, 1981F2Cape Girardeau, Missouri2.7 mi400 yd00$2.5M
January 11, 2020EF2Cape Girardeau, Missouri9.13 mi300 yd00$750K
April 22, 1955F2Cape Girardeau, Missouri4.1 mi50 yd01$250K
December 18, 1957F2Cape Girardeau, Missouri8 mi700 yd00$250K
December 18, 1957F2Cape Girardeau, Missouri7.8 mi700 yd01$250K
March 14, 1971F2Cape Girardeau, Missouri6.6 mi23 yd00$250K
May 16, 2025EF2Cape Girardeau, Missouri1.39 mi225 yd00$175K
February 29, 2012EF2Cape Girardeau, Missouri12.09 mi300 yd01$150K
February 29, 2012EF2Cape Girardeau, Missouri5.33 mi120 yd00$100K
April 29, 1963F2Cape Girardeau, Missouri1.3 mi50 yd13$25K
March 18, 1952F2Cape Girardeau, Missouri6.2 mi500 yd00$25K

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Source And Limits

Data source: NOAA/NCEI. TornadoTrace summarizes historical records for screening and research. Coordinates, damage estimates, narratives, and event details can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. Do not use this page as legal, insurance, engineering, real estate, emergency management, or safety advice.