Branch County, Michigan tornadoes

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22confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: April 2, 2025, 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 Branch County

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The record

At a glance

Total221950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay9 of 22
StrongestF4Apr 11, 1965
Deaths45whole paths, see note
Injuries597whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 8May: 9Jun: 1Jul: 2Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 9 of 22 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 0: 13 PM: 5: 4: 46 PM: 6: 0: 09 PM: 1: 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

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 219501960197019801990200020102020

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
2
EF1
13
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF4
2

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 11, 1965

23 deaths, 294 injuries Strongest

F4, April 11, 1965

90.3 mile path Longest path

90.3 miles, F4

April 11, 1965, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F4

April 11, 1965
Every tornado

All 22 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 2, 2025EF13.73 mi125 yd00
Apr 2, 2025EF110.82 mi600 yd00
May 7, 2024EF11.09 mi100 yd00
May 7, 2024EF219.53 mi950 yd01
Jul 12, 2023EF12.9 mi50 yd00
May 29, 2011EF10.33 mi50 yd00
Jul 22, 2010EF01.46 mi300 yd00
Apr 23, 1991F00.5 mi10 yd00
May 31, 1989F111.7 mi50 yd01
May 17, 1986F14.9 mi40 yd00
May 15, 1986F31.2 mi200 yd00
Jun 30, 1983F21 mi40 yd00
Mar 7, 1983F10.3 mi37 yd00
Mar 12, 1976F213.4 mi127 yd08
May 25, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd00
May 21, 1975F20.8 mi10 yd00
Apr 1, 1974F110.6 mi20 yd00
Apr 15, 1969F10.5 mi10 yd00
Apr 11, 1965F480.5 mi10 yd21293
Apr 11, 1965F490.3 mi1,760 yd23294
Apr 17, 1963F11 mi10 yd10
May 31, 1954F10.3 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 14, 20263 SSE ColdwaterNot yet rated
Mar 6, 20261 W Union CityNot yet rated
Mar 6, 20264 NNE SherwoodNot 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.