Ripley County, Indiana tornadoes

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26confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: May 16, 2025, 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 Ripley County

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The record

At a glance

Total261950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril8 of 26
StrongestF4Apr 3, 1974
Deaths14whole paths, see note
Injuries208whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 5Apr: 8May: 2Jun: 6Jul: 2Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 8 of 26 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 0: 33 PM: 3: 2: 26 PM: 4: 2: 39 PM: 3: 0: 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 3: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 3: 1: 1: 0: 0: 319501960197019801990200020102020

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
7
EF1
13
EF2
3
EF3
2
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

F4, April 3, 1974

11 deaths, 190 injuries Strongest

F4, April 3, 1974

35.6 mile path Longest path

35.6 miles, F4

April 3, 1974, whole path Widest

1,200 yards, F4

April 3, 1974
Every tornado

All 26 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 16, 2025EF16.33 mi250 yd00
Mar 30, 2025EF14.78 mi200 yd00
Mar 30, 2025EF02.2 mi100 yd00
Mar 7, 2022EF01.28 mi100 yd00
Jun 18, 2021EF16.2 mi150 yd00
Apr 8, 2020EF02.6 mi220 yd00
Apr 8, 2020EF00.18 mi75 yd00
Apr 8, 2020EF12.49 mi450 yd00
Oct 7, 2017EF05.72 mi100 yd00
Feb 20, 2014EF10.81 mi50 yd00
Mar 2, 2012EF38.69 mi350 yd35
May 23, 2011EF03.08 mi50 yd00
Mar 8, 2009EF10.47 mi25 yd00
Jul 30, 2004F22 mi133 yd02
Apr 9, 1999F315 mi450 yd02
Jun 4, 1993F10.5 mi50 yd06
Jun 2, 1990F223 mi440 yd03
Nov 19, 1981F14.7 mi150 yd00
Jun 12, 1978F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 8, 1978F10.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F435.6 mi1,200 yd11190
Apr 29, 1970F11 mi30 yd00
Apr 29, 1970F00.3 mi10 yd00
Apr 19, 1970F13.3 mi50 yd00
Jun 28, 1957F10.1 mi10 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.