Craighead County, Arkansas tornadoes

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57confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: May 16, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Craighead County

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The record

At a glance

Total571950 to 2025
Per year0.8average since 1950
Peak monthApril15 of 57
StrongestF4May 15, 1968
Deaths46whole paths, see note
Injuries717whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

150 Jan: 7Feb: 1Mar: 9Apr: 15May: 8Jun: 0Jul: 2Aug: 6Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 7JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 15 of 57 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 36 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 2: 2: 33 PM: 5: 7: 66 PM: 5: 5: 99 PM: 3: 2: 312 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 8:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

70 1950: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 3: 01980: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 2: 0: 72000: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 02010: 1: 4: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 02020: 5: 4: 3: 0: 0: 519501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
23
EF1
14
EF2
9
EF3
8
EF4
3

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, May 15, 1968

35 deaths, 364 injuries Strongest

F4, May 15, 1968

20.9 mile path Longest path

89.4 miles, F2

March 20, 1955, whole path Widest

1,800 yards, EF4

December 10, 2021
Every tornado

All 57 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 16, 2025EF17.11 mi150 yd00
Apr 2, 2025EF214.45 mi700 yd00
Apr 2, 2025EF324.18 mi1,500 yd08
Mar 14, 2025EF213.76 mi150 yd04
Mar 14, 2025EF01.4 mi50 yd00
Apr 13, 2022EF15.36 mi200 yd00
Mar 6, 2022EF02.46 mi50 yd00
Feb 22, 2022EF02.81 mi50 yd00
Dec 10, 2021EF14.62 mi75 yd00
Dec 10, 2021EF481.17 mi1,800 yd814
Dec 10, 2021EF01.31 mi50 yd00
Dec 10, 2021EF16.14 mi150 yd00
Aug 27, 2020EF10.89 mi50 yd00
Aug 27, 2020EF14.47 mi120 yd00
Aug 27, 2020EF13.56 mi70 yd00
Apr 8, 2020EF00.89 mi30 yd00
Mar 28, 2020EF312.53 mi600 yd022
May 17, 2018EF00.85 mi50 yd00
Jul 3, 2017EF10.09 mi75 yd00
Oct 31, 2013EF13.69 mi300 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF00.59 mi75 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF11.6 mi250 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF21.23 mi200 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF00.26 mi50 yd00
May 1, 2010EF00.03 mi25 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 27, 20262 NNE GreenfieldNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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.