Kent County, Michigan tornadoes

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44confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: May 15, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Kent County

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The record

At a glance

Total441950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthApril9 of 44
StrongestF5Apr 3, 1956
Deaths22whole paths, see note
Injuries491whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 4Apr: 9May: 6Jun: 4Jul: 7Aug: 6Sep: 8Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 9 of 44 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 2: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 6: 3: 43 PM: 5: 7: 46 PM: 4: 3: 29 PM: 1: 0: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 2: 2: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 21990: 2: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 4: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 2: 1: 0: 12020: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 519501960197019801990200020102020

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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
16
EF1
19
EF2
5
EF3
2
EF4
1
EF5
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

F5, April 3, 1956

17 deaths, 292 injuries Strongest

F5, April 3, 1956

58.8 mile path Longest path

60.6 miles, F3

April 3, 1956, whole path Widest

2,000 yards, F2

September 22, 1961
Every tornado

All 44 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 15, 2025EF114.88 mi100 yd00
Mar 30, 2025EF02.43 mi300 yd00
Mar 30, 2025EF05 mi150 yd00
Mar 30, 2025EF11.66 mi250 yd00
Mar 30, 2025EF04.2 mi150 yd00
Aug 24, 2023EF18.7 mi100 yd00
Jun 26, 2021EF00.59 mi50 yd00
Apr 10, 2021EF00.55 mi65 yd00
Sep 11, 2019EF00.05 mi25 yd00
Apr 10, 2017EF15.33 mi220 yd00
Aug 20, 2016EF00.9 mi50 yd00
Aug 20, 2016EF04.25 mi75 yd00
Jul 13, 2015EF00.8 mi50 yd00
Jul 6, 2014EF16.25 mi400 yd06
Sep 23, 2006F00.5 mi66 yd00
Aug 13, 2002F01 mi100 yd00
May 21, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
May 21, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
May 21, 2001F10.3 mi50 yd00
May 21, 2001F00.6 mi50 yd00
Aug 19, 1996F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 17, 1992F10.3 mi50 yd00
Jul 7, 1991F00.5 mi50 yd00
Sep 14, 1990F15 mi30 yd00
Sep 14, 1990F17 mi30 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 11, 20262 ESE CaledoniaNot 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.

Cities

Cities in Kent County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

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.