Cherokee County, Alabama tornadoes

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18confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1963). Most recent: May 27, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Cherokee County

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The record

At a glance

Total181950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthApril6 of 18
StrongestF4Mar 27, 1994
Deaths31whole paths, see note
Injuries201whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Cherokee County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 5Apr: 6May: 1Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 3Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 6 of 18 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 1: 2: 012 PM: 0: 1: 13 PM: 1: 1: 06 PM: 4: 1: 09 PM: 1: 0: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
5
EF1
5
EF2
3
EF3
4
EF4
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F4, March 27, 1994

22 deaths, 150 injuries Strongest

F4, March 27, 1994

50 mile path Longest path

50 miles, F4

March 27, 1994, whole path Widest

1,700 yards, EF3

March 25, 2021
Every tornado

All 18 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 27, 2024EF13.41 mi550 yd00
Mar 25, 2021EF338.17 mi1,700 yd610
Mar 19, 2018EF11.07 mi400 yd00
Apr 19, 2015EF03.52 mi200 yd00
Mar 15, 2008EF23.61 mi50 yd00
Apr 22, 2005F00.9 mi75 yd00
Apr 22, 2005F00.4 mi75 yd00
Nov 10, 2002F210.5 mi440 yd14
Nov 24, 2001F28.2 mi200 yd24
Dec 16, 2000F312.8 mi500 yd014
Apr 16, 1998F01.3 mi80 yd00
Jun 26, 1994F04 mi200 yd00
Mar 27, 1994F450 mi880 yd22150
Feb 21, 1993F319 mi100 yd05
Nov 15, 1983F10.8 mi40 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F320.9 mi100 yd09
Apr 7, 1964F15.4 mi10 yd00
Mar 5, 1963F121.3 mi400 yd05
Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.