Van Buren County, Arkansas tornadoes

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34confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: December 23, 2015, 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 Van Buren County

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The record

At a glance

Total341950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthApril9 of 34
StrongestF4Mar 15, 1984
Deaths11whole paths, see note
Injuries89whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 1Feb: 2Mar: 6Apr: 9May: 4Jun: 2Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 7Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 9 of 34 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 1: 1: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 3: 29 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 0: 1: 03 PM: 2: 1: 66 PM: 7: 3: 29 PM: 0: 2: 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 11960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 1: 22000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 4: 0: 0: 3: 02010: 3: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 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
6
EF1
10
EF2
11
EF3
6
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

EF3, May 2, 2008

5 deaths, 24 injuries Strongest

F4, March 15, 1984

41 mile path Longest path

45.3 miles, EF3

May 2, 2008, whole path Widest

1,600 yards, EF3

May 2, 2008
Every tornado

All 34 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Dec 23, 2015EF10.18 mi75 yd00
Apr 10, 2013EF217.26 mi800 yd05
Apr 15, 2012EF12.27 mi300 yd00
Apr 30, 2010EF211.77 mi200 yd00
Apr 30, 2010EF18.87 mi150 yd00
Apr 30, 2010EF320.28 mi700 yd115
May 2, 2008EF11.05 mi100 yd00
May 2, 2008EF345.3 mi1,600 yd524
Jan 8, 2008EF220.46 mi440 yd12
Nov 27, 2005F20.8 mi100 yd00
Nov 27, 2005F13.7 mi50 yd00
Nov 27, 2005F213.1 mi400 yd00
Nov 27, 2005F12.8 mi50 yd00
Apr 24, 2004F02.8 mi25 yd00
Apr 23, 2004F04.1 mi25 yd00
May 4, 2003F03.1 mi25 yd00
Mar 5, 1999F310 mi350 yd00
Mar 5, 1999F15.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 15, 1998F02 mi100 yd00
Aug 14, 1997F00.1 mi20 yd00
Mar 1, 1997F12.5 mi100 yd00
Mar 1, 1997F22 mi880 yd00
Nov 27, 1994F12 mi73 yd00
Jun 11, 1989F21 mi50 yd06
Nov 15, 1988F329 mi400 yd110
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.