Jay County, Indiana tornadoes

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17confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: September 22, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 3 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 Jay County

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The record

At a glance

Total171950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthJune5 of 17
StrongestF4Apr 3, 1974
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries15whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 4May: 0Jun: 5Jul: 1Aug: 1Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 2Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 5 of 17 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 2: 4: 13 PM: 0: 0: 46 PM: 1: 1: 19 PM: 1: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 0: 2: 2: 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: 3 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
3
EF1
7
EF2
5
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

F4, April 3, 1974

1 deaths, 12 injuries Strongest

F4, April 3, 1974

18 mile path Longest path

38.72 miles, EF2

November 5, 2017, whole path Widest

1,400 yards, F4

April 3, 1974
Every tornado

All 17 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 22, 2024EF12.74 mi75 yd00
Sep 22, 2024EFU0.21 mi50 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF02.44 mi100 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF01.54 mi175 yd00
Jun 18, 2021EF25.38 mi500 yd00
Nov 5, 2017EF238.72 mi600 yd01
Apr 19, 2011EF16.91 mi50 yd00
Aug 1, 2003F11.2 mi50 yd00
Jun 11, 1998F12 mi50 yd00
Jun 23, 1994F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jun 23, 1994F10.5 mi110 yd00
Nov 22, 1992F10.2 mi10 yd00
Apr 8, 1980F27.9 mi87 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F418 mi1,400 yd112
Jun 3, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 28, 1961F20.1 mi10 yd02
Apr 5, 1957F20.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Aug 10, 20262 S Boundary CityNot yet rated
Jun 11, 20261 SW BalbecNot yet rated
Mar 11, 20262 S RedkeyNot 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.