Jefferson County, Indiana tornadoes

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21confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1965). Most recent: March 14, 2024, EF2. 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 Jefferson County

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The record

At a glance

Total211950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril8 of 21
StrongestF4Apr 3, 1974
Deaths23whole paths, see note
Injuries304whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 4Apr: 8May: 1Jun: 2Jul: 0Aug: 2Sep: 2Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 8 of 21 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 1: 112 PM: 1: 1: 33 PM: 1: 2: 26 PM: 1: 1: 19 PM: 1: 3: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 3: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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
4
EF1
6
EF2
4
EF3
4
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, April 3, 1974

11 deaths, 190 injuries Strongest

F4, April 3, 1974

35.6 mile path Longest path

46.6 miles, EF4

March 2, 2012, whole path Widest

1,200 yards, F4

April 3, 1974
Every tornado

All 21 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 14, 2024EF217.97 mi500 yd02
Mar 3, 2023EF11.66 mi120 yd00
May 20, 2017EF10.16 mi30 yd00
Mar 2, 2012EF446.6 mi800 yd110
Jan 17, 2012EF00.29 mi60 yd00
Apr 19, 2011EF03.21 mi100 yd00
Apr 19, 2011EF12.34 mi125 yd00
Apr 19, 2011EF011.8 mi100 yd00
Aug 14, 2002F14 mi125 yd00
Apr 9, 1999F33 mi250 yd00
Mar 28, 1997F19 mi100 yd00
Sep 18, 1992F11.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 2, 1990F317 mi440 yd05
Jun 2, 1990F341 mi150 yd00
Apr 5, 1985F21 mi17 yd00
Aug 1, 1979F00.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 26, 1976F314.6 mi300 yd11
Apr 3, 1974F427.1 mi1,133 yd0104
Apr 3, 1974F435.6 mi1,200 yd11190
Apr 21, 1967F26.3 mi10 yd02
Oct 7, 1965F22 mi100 yd00
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.