Franklin County, Arkansas tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Franklin County...

33confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1961). Most recent: May 7, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Franklin County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total331950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthApril12 of 33
StrongestEF4May 24, 2011
Deaths6whole paths, see note
Injuries55whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

120 Jan: 2Feb: 1Mar: 3Apr: 12May: 6Jun: 0Jul: 1Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 8Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 12 of 33 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 2: 2: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 2: 2: 03 PM: 1: 3: 26 PM: 7: 7: 19 PM: 0: 3: 012 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

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02000: 1: 4: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 2: 12010: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 3: 12020: 2: 0: 5: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
8
EF1
20
EF2
3
EF4
1
Unknown
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

EF4, May 24, 2011

4 deaths, 27 injuries Strongest

EF4, May 24, 2011

45.71 mile path Longest path

45.71 miles, EF4

May 24, 2011, whole path Widest

2,200 yards, EF4

May 24, 2011
Every tornado

All 33 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 7, 2024EF13.9 mi1,200 yd00
Nov 4, 2022EF13.1 mi1,100 yd00
Nov 4, 2022EF01.7 mi150 yd00
Nov 4, 2022EF13.3 mi350 yd00
Nov 4, 2022EFU2.5 mi150 yd00
Apr 11, 2022EF12.4 mi200 yd00
Apr 24, 2020EF10.5 mi75 yd00
Jan 10, 2020EF13.9 mi400 yd00
May 18, 2019EF17.3 mi1,000 yd00
May 3, 2018EF19.5 mi550 yd00
Apr 13, 2018EF15.6 mi400 yd00
Jan 21, 2018EF14.3 mi400 yd00
Apr 27, 2016EF05.9 mi700 yd00
Apr 27, 2016EF13.2 mi500 yd00
Apr 13, 2014EF15.4 mi450 yd00
May 24, 2011EF445.71 mi2,200 yd427
Apr 14, 2011EF14.8 mi350 yd02
Apr 29, 2009EF01 mi125 yd00
May 10, 2008EF00.1 mi50 yd00
Mar 18, 2008EF17 mi600 yd00
Apr 24, 2007EF11 mi100 yd00
Apr 11, 2005F00.1 mi30 yd00
Nov 23, 2001F18.8 mi150 yd00
Nov 23, 2001F231.5 mi500 yd14
Nov 23, 2001F18 mi150 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 21, 20262 WNW OzarkNot 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

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Franklin County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

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